268 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Rooxrertes or Loxpon.—The rookery in Kensington Gardens has 
increased from thirty-one nests last year to fifty this year. The little 
colony in the Deputy Ranger's Grounds, Hyde Park, is deserted ; only two 
nests remain, and they are not tenanted. There are sixteen nests in the 
plane trees in Brunswick House Gardens, New Road; and eight nests in 
two plane trees behind Nos. 10 and 8, Upper Wimpole Street. ‘The colony 
in the garden in Gower Street has increased from three to five nests.— 
Epwarp Hamitron (9, Portugal Street, Grosvenor Square). 
Rooxrrtgs or Lonpon.—The Rooks’ nests, which have for years been 
frequented each spring, in the trees near Hereford Square, Old Brompton, 
are this year deserted by the old birds, much to the regret of many 
inhabitants. The noise of the workmen on the numerous buildings that 
are being erected in the vicinity is doubtless the cause of their going away. 
This is much to be lamented, as they are so interesting in their habits, and 
so cheerful in towns.—LamBron Youna. 
Earty Nestinc or THe Warer Ratt.—It may be worth recording 
that on the 8th April a nest of the Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus, containing 
nine eggs, was taken in Hast Norfolk. These eggs, which I received 
unblown, were slightly incubated, and it strikes me as being an unusually 
early date at which to find incubation with this species so far advanced.— 
A. H. Evans (Clare College, Cambridge). 
Hoopor 1n Firesurre.—A male specimen of the Hoopoe was shot by 
the under-keeper to Mr. Baird, of Elie, at Elie House, Fifeshire, on the 
8th May. The specimen, which has been preserved by Mr. Small, of this city, 
is in very fine plumage. The occurrence of the Hoopoe at this season in 
Britain is very unusual.—J. J. Dateruisu (8, Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh). 
[This may be so in North Britain, but not in the South of England, 
where the Hoopoe is an annual spring visitant— Ep. } 
Great SvorreD WoopreckER IN Perrusnire.—I have to record the 
occurrence, in the south-west of Perthshire, of an adult female Great 
Spotted Woodpecker, at Donne Lodge, the seat of the Earl of Moray, on 
the 24th April last.—J. H. Bucuanan (Leny, Callander, N.B.). 
[This bird is a well-known winter visitant throughout Scotland, and 
specimens have been obtained in almost every county. On the east coast 
within the last few years it has become rather common. See Gray’s ‘ Birds 
of the West of Scotland,’ p. 190.—Ep. | 
Fieiprares 1n May.—On May 5th I saw near here a considerable 
flight of Fieldfares. This is the latest date I have recorded, during the last 
twenty-five years, of their being seen in this neighboarhood. The nearest 
to it occurred in 1872, when I observed some, in company with Redwings, 
on the 25th April. On the present occasion, however, there were, so far as 
I could see, no Redwings.—O. P. Campripeu (Bloxworth, Blandford). 
