388 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
the very wettest bogs. This year I have not heard the call of the Corn 
Crake once in West Somerset, and last year I only heard it twice. 
Probably the increased drainage of land has something to do with the 
scarcity of the bird. Its favourite food consists of small snails, and if 
through any cause the supply of these becomes diminished we need not 
wonder at the birds forsaking localities where they can no longer feed.— 
Morray A. Maruew (Bishop’s Lydeard, Taunton). 
Micration or Rooxs.—In ‘The Zoologist’ last year appeared some 
notes from Messrs. Stevenson, Cordeaux, and others on the migratory 
habits of Rooks (see vol. 1876, pp. 4776, 4837, 5105). Few people, 
perhaps, are aware that numbers of these birds arrive here from the 
north for the winter. When fishing and shooting in the North Sea 
during October, I have often met with large flocks of Rooks on their way 
to this country. It was seldom that they flew in straggling parties like 
the Gray Crows; those that were seen singly appearing to have fallen out 
from the ranks through fatigue. After a gale of wind from the south-west, 
I have seen several floating dead on the water between twenty and thirty 
miles off the land. I have also received a few wings from the light-ships 
off the east coast during the winter months, the birds having fallen 
disabled on deck after striking the lamps. From never having observed 
them on their return journey in the spring, or obtained any wings from 
the light-ships at that period, I am not sure whether they take up their 
residence in this country or again return to the North of Europe, from 
whence they appear to be making their way when met with in autumn.— 
E. T. Booru (Dyke Road, Brighton). 
Curious Nuestine-pLace vor A House Sparrow.—An instance of a 
singular place chosen by the House Sparrow for nidification has come 
under my notice this year. The nest is built in a cavity formed by the 
left arm, and half-encircled by the drapery, of the statue erected in 1870 to 
the Earl of Carlisle, in that part of the Phoenix Park, Dublin, called the 
“ People’s Garden.” The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 
fourteen feet six inches, and the place where the nest is constructed is 
about twelve or thirteen feet from the ground. It was very amusing to 
observe the saucy way in which the cock and hen were accustomed to perch 
on his lordship’s robes of state before and after visiting the nest. The 
head gardener informs me that a pair of House Sparrows began to build in 
the same place the year after the erection of the statue, and that they have 
done so regularly every year since. He says that two broods have been 
successfully reared this year—Wintiam W. Fiemyne (18, Upper Fitz- 
william Stzeet, Dublin). 
Saquacco Herron iy Kina’s Counry.—We have received for preservation 
a beautiful specimen of the Squacco Heron, forwarded by Lord Carbery 
from Castle Bernard, King’s County. ‘The bird proved to be a female, and 
