302 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
and could fly fairly well. Of course I let it go again. It is quite a wonder 
that the bird was not disturbed while sitting, as the heath is public, and is 
disturbed from morn till eve by boys in search of nests. I am quite aware 
that the Woodcock breeds in many counties in England, but do not know 
whether Hertfordshire has been added to the list—M. Vaueuan (Hailey- 
bury College). 
Woopcock NEsTING tN LancasHIRE.—On May 20th, while walking in 
the outskirts of an extensive wood here, I was much surprised by 
seeing four Woodcocks rise from under some brushwood. One of them 
lingered an instant behind the rest, and gave me an opportunity of seeing 
that it was full grown and in complete plumage. I have heard from game- 
keepers that nests have been occasionally found in this neighbourhood ; but 
this date seems early for full-grown young birds. -- James Murron (Highfield, 
Silverdale, near Carnforth). 
Cresteo Lark 1x Cornwaty.—On June 12th I shot a Crested Lark, 
Alauda cristata, in our garden, and have sent it to Mr. Vingoe, our Cornish 
naturalist, to be set up. He has advised me to send you this notice. He 
says the bird is a female, as he found eggs in the ovary —HeEnrBerr P. Hart 
(Polbrean, Lizard, Helston). 
(This makes the fifth instance in which the Crested Lark has been 
met with in Cornwall. Particulars of previous captures will be found in 
Rodd’s ‘ Birds of Cornwall and the Scilly Isles,’ p. 50.—Eb.] 
Narurat-History Norges rrom Lerwicx.—There is nothing of special 
interest here at present to communicate in relation to Ornithology, except 
the fact that, owing to the mild weather during winter and early spring, the 
birds have nested earlier this year than usual. A pair of Ravens had their 
young out about the middle of April, in one instance under my own 
observation. ‘The Great Black-backed Gull nested on the Ist of May in 
the lochs, as also several of the small gulls. A pair of Swallows were seen 
about here for some weeks prior to this date (May 26th), but no appearance 
of nesting as yet. An unusual quantity of Ducks visited us during the 
winter, but almost all left here by May 26th. I observed the first pair of 
Arctic Terns on the 22nd May, flying high and in an uneasy manner round 
the nesting site; they seemed to have just newly arrived from the north. 
I found a fine specimen of the Sea-mouse the other day on the beach of 
the loch Clickiwin, near Lerwick ; it was quite fresh, and must have been 
newly carried there by a bird, who, finding it impossible to swallow such a 
rough morsel, had dropped it on the margin of the loch. ‘The animal was 
four inches long, dusky grey on the back, studded with sharp bristles. The 
hair on the sides was of a brilliant green colour, tinged with yellow. I counted 
sixty four feet, but might have missed some of the smaller ones, as they 
diminish in size towards the tail. It is an inhabitant of deep water, and is 
