The Zoologist — July, 186«. 1293 



but the feathers of the head are erected when it utters its call-note, 

 and probably when it sings, but I have not noticed that point. It 

 frequents huge trees like its congener. Its note of invitation to the 

 female was was uttered very vociferously from the date of its arrival 

 till the 30th of May ; about then it began to decline, and now it is 

 heard very seldom and weaker in tone. 



Sky Lark. — Larks had young on the 5th of May. A cute bird- 

 fancier, at a neighbouring village, placed, for the sake of convenience, 

 four eggs of a lark in the nest of a robin, and the robin hatched and 

 fed the young larks. 



Importation of Birds. — I should like to warn amateur naturalists 

 against the imposition of unprincipled dealers in this matter. A short 

 time since a friend, Mr. George Parkin, of Wakefield, showed to me 

 a blue-bird, a redwinged starling, an American robin and a woodpecker, 

 which had been sent in the flesh from America : they were simply 

 drawn and packed in common salt : the flesh was not decomposed and 

 the birds were in excellent order. 



George Roberts. 



Lofihouse, near Wakefield. 



Rare Captures for May, 1868. — During the past month I have had the following, 

 in the flesh, except Sabine's snipe, which reached me stuffed, and which, after all, is 

 no true species: — 



May 2. Little bittern (female), taken alive in a field at St. Leonards. 



May 7. Black tern (male), shot at Flamborough Head. Sabine's snipe (female), 

 shot at Wareham, in Dorsetshire, by Mr. C. Churchill. 



May 9. Ring ouzel (male). Cromer. 



May 12. Kentish plover (female), killed near Rye. 



May 20. Three reeves, from North Lincolnshire; excellent specimens. 



May 30. Turnstone (female), in summer plumage. Tees-moulth. 



May 31. A wild turtle (female), from Sunderland (cloves are rare so far North), 

 and a pair of garganeys from the vicinity of Bridlington. — /. //. Gurneyjun. ; Bank, 

 Darlington. 



First Arrivals of Spring Visitors observed at or near Minehead, Somersetshire, in 

 1868.— March 21st. Wheatear (male). 27th. Wheatear (female). April 10th. Yellow 

 wagtail (male). 17th. Chimney swallow. 19th. Willow wren. 23rd. Redstart (male), 

 24th. Pied flycatcher (one pair seen together). 25lh. Cuckoo and sand martin. 

 29th. House martin, greater whitelhroat and whinchat (male). May 5th. Swift. — ? 

 J. H. Gurney; May 30, 1868. 



Montagu's Harrier near Falmouth. — Nearly all the specimens of this harrier which 

 I have observed have been without the ash-coloured plumage; the two exceptions 

 have been very far from being unsullied, but sufficiently so to show distinctly the 



