OCCASIONAL NOTES. 181 
the nest might have been content to take the eggs only, and give the parent 
birds a chance of rearing a second brood.—Ep.] 
SNIPE-CATCHING IN DorseTsHtry.—In the last number of ‘The 
Zoologist’ (p. 134) mention is made of a Reeve caught in Dorsetshire in 
a “snipe-trap.” Would your correspondent oblige your readers with a 
description of the “snipe-trap”? I have never heard of such a trap being 
in use at the present day, although I have heard of a drag-net being used 
by night to catch Snipes in Somersetshire in the marshes near Glastonbury, 
and once saw a Little Bittern that had been so caught in that locality.— 
J. H. Guryezy (Northrepps Hall, Norwich). 
BULLFINCH EATING PRIVET-BERRIES.—1n Withering’s ‘ British Plants’ 
(ed. 7, vol.ii., p. 18) we read, under his account of the privet, ‘‘ The berries 
afford an acceptable winter food for birds, especially Bullfinches.” I cannot 
find this statement as to the partiality of Bullfinches for these berries 
confirmed by any more modern writer, nor have I ever seen them feeding 
on them; consequently I think it worth while to ask in ‘The Zoologist’ if 
any of its numerous correspondents have any information to give on the 
matter.—T. R. Archer Brices (Richmond Villa, Plymouth). 
Firmcrest anD GreaT GRAY SHRIKE AT BrieHton.—A single Fire- 
crest was found, killed by the telegraph-wire, in this neighbourhood last 
autumn. It is the only uncommon bird I can hear of, except a Great Grey 
Shrike. I may observe that the only specimens of these two species that 
I ever saw were also procured in the same season as each other; the Great 
Grey Shrike at Inveran, Sutherland, February 11th, 1876, and the Fire- 
crest at Cobham, Kent, November 16th, 1876.—Cuirron. 
HAwFINOHES FLOCKING IN WinTER.—During the great snow-storm of 
January last a considerable flock of Hawfinches took refuge in the stack- 
yard at Costerton, near Blackshiels, and the farm-servants managed to 
snare four males and two females, which are now in the aviary at Costerton 
House, belonging to Mr. D. Ainslie——Wwm. Horn (7, Randolph Crescent, 
Edinburgh). 
SctavonIAN GREBE NEAR CromER.—On February.17th a Sclavonian 
Grebe was killed with a stone at Siderstrand, near Cromer, as it was 
swimming about in a horse-pond.—J. H. Gurney, Jun. (Northrepps, 
Norwich). 
ALLEGED DEsTRUCTION oF Larks’ Eaes By STARLIncs.—With regard 
to the remarks of Mr. Service (Zool. 1878, p. 427) as to Starlings destroying 
Larks’ eggs, I may remark that no such propensity on the part of the 
Starling has ever come under my observation. ‘That these birds have 
multiplied excessively during the last few years, notwithstanding their 
