3788 The Zoologist — December, 1873. 



29th, Many flocks of common scoters appeared on the river 

 Tamar after a severe frost, and several were killed ; curlews were 

 also plentiful. I also saw some scoters and gray plovers in the 

 market ; and, on the same day, observed several swallows near 

 Plymouth — rather uncommon to see swallows and wild ducks at 

 the same time of the year, A speckled diver was also killed in the 

 Sound on the 29th, and a northern diver seen, 



31st, Woodcocks, snipe and landrails in the Plymouth Market, 



John Gatcombe. 



8, Lower Durnford Street, Stoneliouse, Plymouth, 

 NoTember 7, 1873. 



Ornilholoyical Notes from Godalming. 

 By William Stafford, Esq. 



September, 1873. 



1st. At Shackleford, a partridge's nest was found containing ten 

 eggs ; the old bird was wounded, but was found again on the nest 

 three days afterwards. 



5th, A whitethroat's nest vvas brought me, with four eggs set 

 hard, 



8th, A shorteared owl was sent me, shot here ; condition very fat. 



10th, Two specimens of the common ring dotterel were shot on 

 the river bank between Guildford and Godalming; they were in 

 good fat condition. A white owl's nest containing six young ones 

 is to be seen near here, and another at Elslead. 



11th, A Manx shearwater was brought to me, killed at Alder- 

 shot, in starving condition. A common brown owl was brought" 

 nie, shot at Eashing; its stomach contained the remains of thir- 

 teen large mice. ^ 



12lh. My son has just brought home a reed warbler's nest, con- 

 taining three eggs, taken at Ockford pond ; the eggs were set hard. 



14lh. Saw a nest of young bullfinches, three in number. 



Cuckoo. — 14th, My young cuckoo, which has been a strong 

 healthy bird ever since the 1st of September, has been very rest- 

 less, trying to get out of his cage, I suppose instinct tells him it 

 is time to be off. 



Martin. — 22nd, I have two house martin's nests under the roof 

 of my house, and I have had an opportunity of paying considerable 



