8452 The Zoologist — March, 1873. 



We saw one later than usual this last season, viz. on October IQth. Sand 

 martins last seen to my knowledge on September 26th ; house martins, 

 October 3rd ; and swallows on October 16th. Quails are not so numerous 

 as five or six years ago, but a few i"emain every year to breed with us. In 

 1865 we shot twenty; in 1866, nineteen; in 1867, eight; in 1868, six; 

 in 1869, one; in 1870, nine; in 1871, one; and this last season, two. As 

 they sit very close we probably pass by a good many. — Hugh P. Hornby. 



Early Westing of Birds.— This exceedingly mild weather has had a 

 marked effect upon the amatory propensities and consequent early nest- 

 building of several birds. On the 3rd of the present January I saw a 

 thrush's egg, and heard the song of both this bird and the missel thrush on 

 several mornings. I am also informed, on reliable authority, that a robin's 

 nest containing three eggs was found on New Year's Day. — G. B. Corhin, 



A Happy Family. — April 1. On a tree in front of the house a pair of 

 kestrels have taken an old crow's nest, so that we have a good chance of 

 watching them. The male is very noisy. There is a carrion crow's nest 

 just behind the house, so we have an aviary without trouble. May 12. My 

 aviary flourishes ; the crows are hatched, and the kestrels will not be long. 

 A pair of wood pigeons have built a nest within six feet of the hawks, on 

 the same level, and not a branch to divide them, so that the ladies can 

 watch each other, and relate their experiences, provided they have the same 

 language. June 5. The crows are flyers ; the kestrels are a fortnight or 

 more old. I think there are some young pigeons, but the tree is so thin 

 I am afraid to send a boy up to make sure, and the young moorhens are 

 real black beauties. — From Utters of the late Thomas Disc, dated Clivynbedw, 

 North Pembrokeshire, 1871. 



Bohemian Waxwing at Bishop's Lydeard. — I saw a Bohemian waxwing 

 on my lawn this morning. — Murray A. Mathew ; Bishop's Lydeard, Taun- 

 ton, February 7. 1873. 



Bohemian Waxwings near Picltering. — On Wednesday morning a flock 

 of ten of these beautiful birds, the Bohemian waxwing or chatterer, was 

 observed near Pickering. Eight of them were shot by G. C. Hawson, and 

 are now in his possession. — ' Leeds Mercury,' Feb. 9, 1873. 



The Common Wood Pigeon and Stock Dore.— At this season of the year 

 these two species of wild dove may be found mixed together in their 

 feeding grounds, but their food is different, and may be worth noticing as a 

 useful fact for agriculturists and interesting to naturalists. My nephew, 

 ■who is at present residing in Pembrokeshire, tells me that he fired into a 

 flock in a clover-field after barley ; the result was two wood pigeons and three 

 stock doves. At a distance they are scarcely distinguishable, although very 

 dissimilar in size. The crops of the wood pigeon, or ring dove, contained 

 ivy berries, a quantity of little brittle stick-like roots, which blister the 

 tongue, and a great pulp of clover-leaves, turnip-tops and bulbs. Those of 



