4998 THe ZooLocist—JuLy, 1876. 
a young blackbird fully fledged on the 14th. On the 19th of June a pair 
of the latter had commenced, or recommenced, building in a tree close to 
the house, and I am inclined to think, with Macgillivray, that sometimes 
more than two broods are reared. On the 20th of May some young rooks 
were seen that had been shot in the neighbourhood; it has’ been remarked 
by Macgillivray that the young are generally fledged by the 20th of May. 
Starlings were late in breeding, but on the 24th of May they were observed 
feeding their young in the ivy-clad turrets of the castle: one nest was 
placed in a hollow elm, only nine or ten feet from the ground. Having 
again closely watched the starling’s manner of feeding, I find the bill is 
closed when thrust into the ground, in proof of which I have only to state 
the result of one observation. A worm being found and well pecked, was 
taken up and held transversely at the gape; when a second worm was 
discovered the first was laid om the ground until the other was secured ; 
both were then caught up, and the search renewed till a third worm was 
hit on and despatched in a similar manner, the two first having been thrown 
down. Though the beak was now well nigh crammed the bird continued 
looking for more until scared away. That the bill was firmly closed is 
certain, or the worms must have dropped out. On the 15th of May 
cormorants were seen flying across the island, contrary to their usual habit, 
which is to follow the coast line. ‘Three large birds were observed on the 
16th of May, coming from off the sea, one considerably in advance of the 
others; in the distance they were taken for ravens, but though of the size 
the flight differed, and on their near approach I found the plumage was of 
a dark brown, with some white about it. The wings were rounded, the 
head and tail depressed, the flight heavy but powerful, the course northerly. 
Not having a glass, I could not be sure as to the species, but have reason 
to believe it was the osprey, it being too large for the buzzard, which it 
somewhat resembles in colour, though not in flight. The harrier (Mon- 
tagu’s) has not been observed, nor is it likely to nest here this season, the 
furze on our downs having beeu burnt in all directions.—H. Hadjield ; 
June 20, 1876. 
Notes from the Zoological Gardens.—With regard to the very attractive 
examples of the knot now alive in the fish-house at the Zoological Gardens, 
I have heard it questioned whether these sandpipers ever get the full red 
breeding plumage in confinement. Certainly I am able to say that there is 
now (May 29th) at that place as perfect a knot as I ever saw; and the 
turnstone and dunlin, in the same cage, are in the fullest summer plumage, 
showing what may be done with attention and care. Not the least striking 
birds there are the avocets, which, with a water rail, a yellow wagtail, and a 
gullbilled tern, make up as interesting an aviary as could be well imagined. 
The latter (the tern) is still in its winter garb, as to the head, but may 
partly change if it lives. In another pen adjoining, Jameson’s gull, from 
