THe ZooLtocist—Junz, 1872. 3099 
Ornithological Notes made in the neighbourhood of Plymouth 
during April, 1872. By Joun Gatcomss, Esq. 
April 4. Visited “ Pew Tor” (Dartmoor), on which I observed a 
pair of ring ouzels, and was told by some workmen that the birds 
had been seen there for more than a week. Saw many lapwings 
on the swamps, several kestrels hovering over the moor, and by the 
side of a river some gray wagtails with fine black throats. 
Wheatears numerous everywhere. 
April 7. Again on Dartmoor. Ring ouzels uttering their some- 
what wild and plaintive call-notes in every direction, more especially 
in the neighbourhood of “Tavy Cleave,” at which place, when 
botanizing with some friends among the rocks, heath and furze, a 
few years since, we found several nests and eggs; and I feel 
perfectly satisfied that this species may be found annually breeding 
in suitable localities over the whole extent of the moor. I have 
remarked that when perched the position of the ring ouzel is more 
horizontal than that of the blackbird, but its alarm-note is very 
similar and its song not much unlike. It has a habit of hiding 
under rocks and large stones when pursued, and if found will 
suddenly start away with rapid flight to a long distance, emitting 
its chucking alarm-notes all the way. It also has the habit, espe- 
cially when its nest is approached, of alighting on a rock or stone 
near, or hopping along the ground with drooping wings and 
elevated tail, at the same time uttering the quickly repeated 
“chuck, chuck, chuck,” of alarm. Found the “ castings ” of many 
kestrels, which were composed chiefly of the fur and bones of 
mice, together with the elytra of the dung-beetle, and those of a 
large species of Carabus of a bronze colour and punctured. 
Garganey, Raven, Cornish Chough and Peregrine Falcon.— 
April 15. A fine male garganey was killed close to the town of 
Plymouth; this species is seldom met with in our neighbourhood. 
Mr. Rogers, who deals in live birds, had two broods of young 
ravens sent to him from Cornwall, consisting altogether of nine 
birds, and he informed me that another brood was destroyed by 
boys with stones, and that he was promised a nest of young pere- 
grines from the same locality. He has also had a pair of Cornish 
choughs for some years in his aviary, one of which has perfectly 
acquired the sweet call-note of a canary. A friend of mine, who 
has lately visited Tintagel, on the coast of Cornwall, tells me that 
