3800 The Zoologist— December, 1873. 



from another. These were all of the same species of moUusk, and were 

 amongst quantities of wheat and peas; the birds were all shot near the 

 river Test. 



[The rock dove [Columha livid) feeds on snails [Helix Ericetorum), but I 

 do not recollect a similar record of the wood pigeon. — Edward Newman.] 



Stone Curlews Feeding at Night. — September 18. Three stone curlews 

 fly regularly every evening about dusk from the higher chalk lands above 

 the river to the water meadows bordering the Test ; they are very clamorous. 

 Green Sandpiper. — August '^3. Two birds at the bottom of Barnsbury 

 Common : I observed these birds here on several subsequent occasions ; they 

 seemed very partial to a small patch of peaty soil bordering the river. 



Books eating Acorns. — September 30. The oak trees are full of rooks, 

 which feed upon the acorns ; they do not eat them off the ground, but only 

 pick those that are growing on the tree. 



Variety of the Sky Lark. — September 6. This evening I shot a very small 

 cream-coloured variety of this species; it is about the size of a small 

 meadow pipit. 



Hobby. — August 23. My brother shot an adult male to-day. — H. Durn- 

 ford; October, 1873. 



Ornithological Notes from Lancashire (continued from S. S. 3613). — 

 Ringed Plover. — These birds must have several broods in the year. A 

 nest containing eggs was found near here on the 19th of April ; on the 19th 

 of May I found a young bird about a fortnight old ; on the 21st of June I 

 found two nests with eggs, and on the 9th of August last year I found 

 young birds still unable to fly. 



Common Tern. — June 11. This species has now commenced to lay in 

 numbers about Formby ; the birds lay on the tops of the most naked sand- 

 hills, choosing those on which the vegetation is most scanty, and from 

 which they can readily see any approaching danger. The full complement 

 of eggs appears to be three, rarely two ; they are laid in a slight hollow in 

 the sand, with no nest whatever. 



Lesser Tern. — June 7. Found six nests on a bank of fine shingle and 

 gravel, at the Point of Air, Flintshire, containing in most cases two eggs, 

 which seems the full coraplament, as in no instance did I find more ; two 

 of the nests were carefully paved with fine pieces of broken shells, the con- 

 cave sides inwards. I observed about a dozen birds resting on a pool of 

 water left by the receding tide ; I noticed some lesser terns swimming in 

 almost exactly the same place about this time last year. Yarrcll records 

 this habit of the lesser tern, and I am glad to be a witness to his accuracy, 

 especially as I have seen his statement doubted. 



Shieldrake. — On the 7th of June I disturbed a pair of old birds and five 

 young ones which were resting on the shore under a bank of shingle ; the 

 female feigned lameness immediately on seeing me, whilst the young ones, 



