2766 The Zoologist — September, 1871. 



Smith has only recently seen my collection ; but a notice of the bird will 

 occur in the next edition of his ' Birds of Somersetshire.' — Charles Edwards ; 

 The Grove, Wrinr/ton, Somersetshire. — 'Field' of August 12?/i. 



Great Black Woodpecker. — It may be interesting to many of your readers 

 that on Friday last an extremely rare bird was to be seen in the flesh at 

 Mr. E. Ward's, 2, Vere Street, Oxford Street. The bird in question was a 

 female great black woodpecker (Drtjocopus martins), in fine condition, fresh, 

 and apparently without shot marks. Mr. Ward informed me that he had 

 purchased it the day before, but had unfortunately omitted to ascertain 

 where and under what circumstances the bird was taken. Mr. Ward is 

 about to prepare and set up the bird in question, and hopes to be able to 

 ascertain such particulars as will establish the fact that tlie great black 

 woodpecker is still to be found amongst our British birds. — ' Field.' 



[I fear this will share the fate of the forty-one other records enumerated in 

 Sharpo and Dresser's ' Birds of Europe,' of which those sagacious ornitholo- 

 gists remark, " We ourselves do not believe in the authenticity of one of the 

 instances." In entire coincidence with this judgment, I would print the 

 07ie in italics. — E, Newman.] 



Cackoo in December. — This morning, about half-past eight o'clock, 

 I heard the cuckoo distinctly five times, and afterwards saw the bird fly over 

 my grounds towards Hestou. What is this a sign of at this time of the 

 year? Can any of your readers enlighten us? — Peter Watson; Sutton 

 House, near Hounslow, December 1. — ' Field,' 



Cnckoo singing in February. — People seem very much to doubt the 

 cuckoo being licard in February. In Guernsey, however, I have heard it 

 at that time : the date in my note-book is the 26th of February, 1870, 

 when I heard it for the first time that year. I am repeatedly told it was a 

 boy ; but I am perfectly certain it was not, or I should not have made a 

 note of it. A friend who wa-s with me at the time heard it, and had no 

 doubt it was the bird, and we hailed it accordingly in the usual way — by 

 turning our money and running. This year I did not hear it so soon, not 

 till April, which is considered late in Guernsey. — C. B. Carey; Lydeard 

 House, Taunton. 



[I think I ought to state that although I decidedly disbelieve, and 

 express my disbelief, of the cuckoo having been heard in England in 

 February, yet I have offered no opinion as to Guernsey : having no know- 

 ledge of that island, it would be extremely rash in me to advance views 

 unsupported by observation. With regard to the abstract observation of 

 my correspondent, that he is perfectly certain it was not an imitation, 

 I admit my own inability to discriminate between the imitation and the 

 reality ; and I may add that I never met with anyone I could not deceive — 

 most undesirable accomplishment, and most inexcusable practice. — Edward 

 Neicman.] 



