3684 The Zoologist — September, 1873. 



occasions that T first observed them in the act of eating. I perceived that, 

 in the midst of the black mass of ants gathered together on the side of the 

 glass jar, one was holding up a white roundish mass about as big as a large 

 pin's head. Having turned a stream of bright light, passed through a con- 

 denser, on this group, and being permitted by the ants to make a free use 

 of my pocket lens, I was able to see the details with great precision. The 

 white mass appeared to be the flowery portion of a grain of millet, and 

 I could see that two or three ants at a time would scrape off minute 

 particles with their toothed mandibles, and take them into their mouth, 

 repeating the operation many times, before giving place to other ants, and 

 often returning again. It certainly appeared to be a bond fide meal that 

 they were making, and not merely an act performed for the benefit of the 

 larvae, as when they detach crumbs from a piece of bread and carry them 

 below into their nest." — P. 46. 



The trapdoor spiders must inevitably wait another month ; they 



are crowded out of this, but I assure them they shall not be 



forgotten. 



Edward Newman. 



(To be continued.) 



Ornithological Notes from North Lincolnshire. 

 By John Cordeaux, Esq. 



(Continued from S. S. 3558.) 



May, Jdne and July, 1873. 



Dotterel (Endroraias moriuellus). — A friend informs me that he 

 saw a trip of about twenty-five on the wolds on Sunday, April 27th. 

 This is about the lime for their appearance during the spring 

 migration. 



Stock Dove. — Far more common than formerly ; several now 

 come regularly every day into the marshes, from the woods and 

 plantations on the wolds, to feed in recently-sown fields of peas 



and tares. 



Turtle Dove. — The turtle dove has nested for the last two or 

 three years in a small and very sheltered wood in this neighbour- 

 hood, where they will be strictly preserved. This is the first 

 instance I have met with of their nesting in North Lincolnshire. 



Nightingale. — Several heard during the month. 



Swift. — Very late in arriving at their nesting-haunts ; first ob- 

 served inland on the 16th ; on the 19th at Great Cotes; wind N., 

 wild and strong ; temperature very low for season. 



