448 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Prep Frycatcuer at tHe Lizarp.—On September 8th I saw a Pied 
Flycatcher, Muscicapa atricapilla, which at once arrested my attention, 
and after a short time I succeeded in shooting it. On the 10th I killed 
avother, a very good specimen. I have sent both to Mr. Vingoe, of 
Penzance, for preservation. Rodd, in his ‘ Birds of Cornwall,’ p. 26, says :— 
“Tt first came under my notice in 1849, when one was captured in the 
autumn at Alverton, Penzance. Since then others have been met with at 
Scilly also during the winter months. It is here included only as a rare 
autumn straggler.” Herbert PassincHam-Hant (Polbrean, The Lizard). 
Tur DEPARTING SwaLLows.—German newspapers remark that the 
migratory birds have this year commenced their journey southwards earlier 
than usual. An old German proverb assigns the 8th of September for the 
beginning of the Swallow's exit. But already, by August 10th, it was 
observed all over North-Western Germany that those of the House Swallows 
whose broods were fully fledged were visibly preparing for their flight; most 
of the other Swallows had already preceded them. On August 24th a large 
flock of Storks coming from the north-west arrived in Berlin, visibly tired 
by a long flight, and continued their journey towards the south-east.— 
Norwich Mercury (September 8th). 
DiprER RETURNING To ITs oLD Nest.—In ‘The Zoologist’ for last 
month (p. 406) is a note on the Dipper returning two years in succession 
to the same nest. Would Mr. Jesse allow me to inform him that in North- 
West Yorkshire, where the Dipper is common on most of our mountain 
streams, it is not unusual for the Dipper to return year after year to the 
same nest? I have been informed of a pair that have repaired and made 
use of the same nest for many years in succession. So attached is this 
bird to some favourite spots that it will return to the same nest even if its 
eggs or young are taken. I have also found this to be the case with the 
Kingfisher. Mr. Roberts, of Scarborough, gives an account of a Kingfisher 
returning to its nest after being robbed of its eggs three times in succession 
in one season (‘ Naturalist,’ 1880, p. 154). In fact, a great many birds, if 
not disturbed, will return year after year to repair their old nests and rear 
their young —Watrer Raine (Leeds). 
EARLY ARRIVAL OF WIDGEON IN THE Moy Ksruary.—On the 2nd 
September, when going to Bartragh with some friends, we observed a little 
flock of seven or eight Widgeon, and on the 6th upwards of twenty were 
seen. This is an unusually early date for the appearance of Widgeon in 
this locality —RoBpert WARREN (Moyview, Ballina). 
Lesser Grey MuLLer on tHE NoRTHUMBERLAND Coast.—By the 
kindness of Mr. J. de Camborne Paynter I have received a fish, in a gutted 
