The Zoologist — December, 1871. 2867 



shot on the 14tli of October, near Stolford, whilst flying up a deep ditch, 

 and subsequently very kindly sent to Mr. Bidgood to be preserved for me. 

 Judging from the size of the bird I should say it was a male, but I did not 

 see it in the flesh, and Mr. Bidgood said it was so high when sent to him 

 that he was glad to get rid of the body as quickly as possible, aud made no 

 examination as to the sex or contents of the stomach. The bird is nearly in 

 the same state of plumage as the " moor buzzard" of Bewick, but there is 

 more of the light yellowish colour under the chin and throat; indeed, 

 except for a broad streak of dark brown from the eye backwards, the 

 yellowish white on the head and back of the neck and that under the chin 

 and throat would be united ; there are also some of the hghter aud more 

 rufous feathers of the adult appearing amongst the dark brown of the breast 

 and belly. — Cecil Smith ; Lydeard House, near Taunton. 



Tithys Redstart in Suffolk. — On the 25th of October I saw a Tithys red- 

 start perched on some rails near the cliff at Felixstow, Suffolk. It was 

 either a female or a young male, and being by no means shy I had an 

 excellent opportunity of observing it. — J. H. Gurney. 



Twin Nests of Reed Warbler. — July 15. I had a very curious specimen 

 of the nest (or, more properly, nests) of the reed warbler brought to me to-day. 

 There were two suspended between six reeds ; the two middle reeds were 

 used by both birds, and run through the sides of each nest. The nests 

 were very neatly built, and did not differ from the ordinary type of the reed 

 warbler's domicile : they each contained eggs, one four and the other three : 

 I should think if they had hatched out it would have been very close 

 quarters for the two families. This is the first instance of a double nest of 

 the reed warbler suspended in reeds coming under my notice. I have 

 frequently seen them in evergreen bushes built together. — Charles E. 

 Stubbs ; Henley-on-Thames, November 6, 1871. 



late Singing of the Niglitingale and lesser Wliitethroat^ &c. — On the 

 11th of August T heard a nightingale singing a fair song, though somewhat 

 feebly. Heard the lesser whitethroat singing on the 11th of September : 

 this is late for such a small bird. Saw a young cuckoo on the 13th of 

 September. Saw a redstart on the 3rd of October. — E. Charles Moor. 



Song of the Chaffinch. — I have more than once asserted in my corre- 

 spondence with ornithological friends that I have heard the song of the 

 chaffinch at intervals, in soft open weather, throughout the autumnal and 

 winter months in the Laud's End district, but I think some have been 

 sceptical on the point. This morning, between seven and eight o'clock, 

 the wind due east, with a mild temperature, I listened for some miuutes to 

 a chaffinch, which uttered and continued his song at the usual intervals, 

 and with its usual cadence, but without the vigour of the spring song. — 

 Edward Hearle Rodd; Penzance, November 3, 1871. 



Hawiiuch Nesting at Resgrore. — I received this season from Kesgrove 



