382 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Nicut Heron 1n Scorianp.—A friend has sent me a paragraph from 
a Scotch paper (the ‘ Glasgow Weekly Herald’ of May 29th), in which it is 
stated that on the 23rd May last a Night Heron was shot off a tree on the 
banks of the Black Devon, adjoining Alloa Park Policies, by one of Lord 
Mar’s keepers. I should be much obliged to any correspondent who may 
have an opportunity of learning further particulars if he will communicate 
them for publication in this journal. If the bird in question has been 
preserved it would be desirable to furnish a careful description of it, since 
it appears, from Mr. Robert Gray’s account of the last Night Heron 
procured in Scotland (‘ Birds of the West of Scotland,’ p. 284), that the 
latter was referable not to the European, but to the American form of this 
bird, by some considered to be specifically distinct.—J. E. Harrine. 
Nesting Hairs oF tHe StarLinc.—I observe (p. 218) Mr. Christy is 
of opinion that two broods are occasionally reared in a season by the 
Starling, in proof of which he remarks :—* Another nest I found contained 
at the end of May (1877) young birds just ready to leave. . . . These 
flew all well, and about a fortnight after I found three eggs slightly sat 
upon.” Now, considering the length of time that the young Starling is 
fed by the parent birds, I think it unlikely—not to say impossible—that 
these eggs belonged to the original owners of the nest. More likely far 
that another pair had taken possession of it. Though a elose observer 
for many years of the Starlings nesting about the house, I never knew 
them to rear more than one brood in a season, nor have they done so this 
year. That they may occasionally do so is possible, and worthy notice, 
but I have no reason to doubt that their habit is to rear but one.—HENRY 
HapFigExp (Ventnor, Isle of Wight). [*‘* That they occasionally do so” has 
been satisfactorily ascertained. See ‘ Zoologist,’ 1876, p. 5164.—Eb.] 
Larcr Fuicur or Swirrs.—On June 25th, at about 11 a. m., a large 
flock of the Common Swift, Cypselus apus, was observed flying in a north- 
easterly direction across the high road at Sudbury, Middlesex. This flock, 
in very compact order as to the main body, with stragglers hawking for 
flies as they went, proceeded slowly on their journey, taking nearly ten 
minutes in passing. Whether or not they were birds retarded in their 
migration to this country by the severity of the weather I cannot say, but 
should be glad if any of your readers could throw some light on the 
subject.—Liongx P. Fiser (South Side, Harrow). 
GotDeN Eacie in tHE Lewes.—On April 12th, I obtained a splendid 
pair of Golden Eagles, which were killed near Stornoway. The female is 
considerably larger than the male, and lighter in colour—Rozserr W. 
Cuase (Birchfield, near Birmingham). 
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