3260 THE ZooLocist—OcrTosER, 1872. 
An adult oystercatcher, common tern and young puffin were 
brought to a birdstuffer this morning. Terns of any kind dre 
seldom seen in our harbours before September, and these mostly 
young birds of the year, but I can remember two extraordinary 
flights of adult arctic terns occurring on the coasts of Devon and 
Cornwall in May many years ago, and strange to say both flights 
happened after a dense “ sea-fog.” 
August 30th. Robins have returned to our gardens in the town, 
and commenced their autumnal song; and it is quite curious to 
observe how many tailless sparrows there are flying about at this 
season of the year, which of course is owing to the general moult. 
I have not remarked other small birds to be in a similar predica- 
ment, at least to such an extent. 
August 31st. Observed a very large flock, consisting of marsh, 
cole, and longtailed titmice, flitting about some alder trees by the 
side of the river Plym, and a great congregation of sand martins 
perched on the telegraph-wires of the railway near at hand: these 
last I have no doubt were preparing to migrate. 
J. GATCOMBE, 
8, Lower Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, 
September 5, 1872. 
Woodcock Breeding in the New Forest.—I have never yet found the 
nest of this species in the forest, but I believe they breed in the locality 
every season, sometimes not uncommonly. I have frequently seen the 
birds in the spring and summer, and well recollect, two seasons ago, 
sitting down in one of the forest glades, near a large swamp, and watching a 
pair of woodcocks as they chased each other up and down the glade in the 
evening twilight, making a sort of inward murmuring noise as they flew. 
On referring to Mr. Wise’s book on the ‘New Forest’ I observe the 
following note with regard to the breeding of the woodcock. He says :— 
“ Many a time, in the cold days of March, have I seen the woodcock in the 
new plantations of Wootton, carrying their young under their wing, 
clutching them up in their large claws. There, on the ground, they lay 
their eggs, which are of the same colour as the withered oak-leaves— 
a dull ochre, spotted and clouded with brown, and are thus easily over- 
looked.”—G. B. Corbin; Ringwood. 
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