30 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



into the sea was picked up in Freshwater Bay. Astonishing as it may 

 appear, a third female was found — paired, nested and reared young. Two 

 Hoopoes and a Golden Oriole were procured in May. Several Dotterels 

 were met with on the Downs (date not given). Tengmahii's Owl was 

 procured during the year. A pair of Bar-tailed Godwits were obtained 

 in September, and several Black Redstarts in October and November. 

 Several pairs of Shags bred in the cliffs, and Cormorants, as usual, in 

 great numbers ; also a pair of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Black- 

 headed, Gulls, Kittiwakes, &c., and numerous Divers, Puffins, Guillemots, 

 and Razorbills. Though the Chough has not been met with this year, 

 there is reason to believe it may again breed in the Freshwater cliffs — the 

 only suitable spot left. With regard to the Peregrine, considering how it 

 is persecuted, it is surprising to find it still frequenting the cliff. It is to 

 be regretted that a watch is not kept to protect it during the breeding 

 season. It would appear that Freshwater is in the direct line of flight of 

 many migratory species, more rare birds being met with there than in any 

 other part of the island. — Hknry HADFiiiLD (High Olifif, Ventnor). 



Temerity in Birds. — The following instances of unwonted temerity, or 

 perhaps curiosity, in birds, which came under my own personal observation, 

 seem to me sufficiently curious to deserve mention. On one occasion, when 

 out flight-shooting in Dorsetshire, I was sitting motionless, in ambush, with 

 gun aslant, when to my astonishment a Barn Owl noiselessly approached 

 and perched for a moment on my gun. P'eeling the oscillation, I looked up 

 suddenly, only in time to see the bird spread its wings, and, with a weird 

 shriek, leave its unaccustomed perch. On another occasion — namely, in 

 September last — I was sketching by the sea near Wells, in Norfolk, at a 

 spot where Wheatears were tolerably common, when one of these birds, 

 gradually approaching me, at length hopped boldly on to my palette. 

 T remained perfectly still, and after a few seconds of investigation, the little 

 visitor took its departure. — G. Bouvekie Goddard. 



[We have heard of two or three instances of Kingfishers perching on 

 the rods of fishermen. — Ed.] 



Black Redstart in Co. Waterford. — An immature female Black Red- 

 start, shot in the churchyard at Dungarvau on the 5th November last, was 

 forwarded to me, and identified by Messrs. Williams & Son, of Dublin, to 

 whom I sent it for preservation. This bird was in company with another 

 when shot, and on the following day three were stated to have been seen at 

 the same place, which they had frequented for several days. I have never 

 before seen this species in the flesh, though there are several instances 

 recorded by Thompson, and Harvey, of its having occurred in the neigh- 

 bouring county of Cork. In Dr. Burkitt's collection in Waterford is the 

 mature specimen, mentioned by Thompson, obtained in Co. Wexford on 



