298 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
the numerous persons who frequent the woods in the summer season, as 
from its confiding habits and the beautiful contrast of the colours of its 
plumage it cannot fail to attract the attention even of a casual observer.— 
E. P. P. Burrerrreip (Wilsden). 
Hogsy Nestine 1x Hampsuire.—I visited Wolmer Forest on the 
12th of June this year, and found that the day before one of the watchers 
had shot a Hobby off its nest, which was placed at a considerable height 
from.the ground, in a Scotch fir. The nest contained three eggs. The 
bird shot proved to be the male, and its stomach contained the remains of 
a small bird, apparently a Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, and some wing- 
cases of beetles. Iwas sorry to find that this bird had been shot, and 
hope in future, should another pair take up their residence in the forest, 
that they will be left unmolested——H. W. Frrpen (Aldershot). 
Tur Lesser Kesrre, xvar Dover.—Mr. E. P. Robinson has lately 
presented to the Dover Museum a specimen of the Lesser Kestrel, Falco 
cenchris, which was caught alive and kept for a short time in confinement 
by a labourer on his farm in the neighbourhood of Dover. The bird, 
which proved to be an adult male, had one leg injured, which may have 
prevented it from taking its natural prey and led to its capture. In 
appearance it differs a great deal from the Common Kestrel. In the first 
place it has no markings on the back, the colour being one rich reddish 
brown. The breast is light red, with a few markings, the more distinct 
ones being on the thigh-coverts; the head and tail light ash-grey, the 
latter with a broad black band at the extremity, and each feather edged 
with white except the two centre ones, which are black to the tips. The 
claws are white——Cuartrs Gorpon (The Museum, Dover, May 22nd). 
VARIETY OF THE Common GuILLEMoT.—In the North Sea, off the 
Humber, on the 11th, I observed a pair of Guillemots swimming in 
company. One was in the ordinary plumage ; the other, however, had all 
those parts normally black-brown, of a light yellowish brown, or rather the 
colour known to painters as honey-yellow. It was a most peculiar and 
interesting-looking variety —Joun Corpraux (Great Cotes, Ulceby). 
Hooror 1n Yorxsatre.—A fine male specimen of the Hoopoe, Upupa 
epops, has recently been shot at Tockwith, near York, and has been sent 
to Mr. Ripley, of Feasgate, York, for preservation. From the fact of its 
being obtained here in June, one might assume that if unmolested it would 
have bred in the neighbourhood.—J. 8. Wrstry (Wetherby, Yorkshire). 
[We have no doubt whatever that Hoopoes, like other summer migrants, 
would nest in this country every year, if people could only be persuaded to 
abstain from shooting them on their arrival.—Eb.] 
StncuLAR VARIETY OF THE HEDGEsPARROW.—On the Sth June, near 
Reigate, I saw a light buff-coloured Hedgesparrow sitting on a nest of 
young ones. A sharp look-out will be kept to ascertain, if possible, what 
