4676 THE ZooLocist—NoveMBER, 1875. 
likes to be sprinkled, stretching out its wings, and seemingly 
enjoying it. 
18th. Having again examined the wings, I find that the first 
primary is two inches and two-tenths shorter than the second; the 
second seven-tenths of an inch shorter than the third; the third 
eight-tenths of an inch longer than the fourth; fourth quill one 
inch and seven-tenths longer than fifth. The sinuations of the 
four first primaries are somewhat deeper and more extended. The 
wings from flexure measure fourteen inches; tarsus two inches 
four-tenths. 
This bird’s wings reaching to within half an inch of the end of 
the tail, and the ¢hird primary being the longest (to say nothing 
of the light patch at the nape) there can be no doubt as to ils 
being—what my friend Mr. Saunders took it for—Montagu’s harrier. 
Temminck remarks that its nest is placed “dans les bois voisin 
des marais et des lacs couverts de jones.” Morris, seemingly 
referring to this, says, “The nest is composed of grass, sedge, 
rushes and flags;” but this nest is not—as I have already stated, 
and the site chosen is about the highest and driest in the island— 
some seven or eight hundred feet above the sea level. ‘Temminck 
points out what I have referred to as remarkable in this young bird ; 
he says, “Sur l’occiput un grand space d’un roux jaunatre.” 
Henry HAvFIELD. 
Ventnor, Isle of Wight. 
P.S.—Mr. Sclater having said that the young harrier would be 
acceptable, it was forwarded to the Zoological Gardens on the 
2nd of September.—H. H.; October 6, 1875. 
Birds and Specimens noticed during a Short Stay in France, 
Switzerland and Italy. By Captain Henry HApFteLp. 
THouGH birds are as plentiful in Brittany as in any part of 
England with which I am acquainted, they appear to be scarce in 
the eastern and south-eastern districts of France, there being little 
cover in the plains south of Dijon, except vineyards; however, a 
few rooks, magpies, and other common species were seen. 
At Geneva vast numbers of martins were observed on the 3rd of 
September, congregating about the eaves of some lofty houses 
