OCCASIONAL NOTES. 299 
our rara avis, whose chief object during its stay seemed to be to provision 
for some further flight, judging from the rapidity with which it fed and the 
eagerness and pertinacity with which it returned to the lawn after every 
fresh alarm caused by the advances of its admirers. I hear that one was 
seen some few years ago also in this immediate neighbourhood. I have 
followed the striking note of this shy bird in vain for a mile or two over 
marshy meadows in the wilds of Pomerania, only to hear it calling more 
and more faintly in the distance; but ‘all things come to those who know 
how to wait,” and here it arrives at our very door. In those regions it is 
called “ Der Kuckuck sein Kiister” (the Cuckoo’s clerk), from its appearance 
a fortnight before the arrival of the Cuckoo, to announce, as they say, his 
coming.—M. Carrow (Dummer Rectory, Basingstoke). 
Hooproks 1N Sussex and Kenv.—I saw one of these birds close to me 
on April 17th, just outside Stanmer Park, in Sussex. Another, which I 
saw in the flesh, was killed on or about the 16th, near Hurstpierpoint ; 
and a third at Longfield, near Gravesend, on or about April 14th. Is not 
this full early for them? I saw three male and one female Grey-headed 
Wagtails, at Brighton, which had all been obtained on the outskirts of that 
town. They were in splendid plumage, and quite fresh. Also a Common 
Tern, shot on a pond at Crawley about the middle of April—Cuirron 
(Cobham, Kent.) 
Hoopor near CuicHesteR.—On April 24th a specimen of the Hoopoe 
was on our lawn for several hours. I resisted entreaties to have it shot, 
and, as I hear it is still in the neighbourhood, I hope others will follow my 
example, for I think such rare birds ought to be protected—Carrineron 
Francis Sizer (St. Mary’s, Great Bentley, Colchester). 
[We quite agree with our correspondent’s view, and should be glad to 
think that his example will be followed.—Eb. } 
Unusuat Nest or Eeas or tom WateRHEN.—During an excursion 
to Strensall Common last spring, I came across a nest of this bird con- 
taining twenty-six eggs, an extraordinary number, the usual complement 
being eight or nine, although I have occasionally found as many as eleven, 
and once twelve in one nest. The eggs were in three distinct batches: 
seven or eight were very similar, being of a warm stone colour, thickly 
marked with large, rich brown spots. Another lot were considerably 
smaller, and were very slightly freckled with dark red; while the third 
batch differed entirely from either of the preceding. I have specimens of 
all the three varieties in my collection. I think this is sufficient proof 
that three Waterhens must have laid their eggs in one nest—an instance 
which I think has never been known to occur before. It is not unusual to 
find Partridges and Pheasants laying their eggs together. The nest now 
referred to was as large as, and similar to, that of the Coot. It would Le 
