110 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
deserted. During my three weeks’ stay in Cumberland I frequently saw 
Buzzards, but regret that this noble bird is becoming scarcer year by year. 
A word or two about the Heron. This quarry of bygone days may be seen 
flying over, or fishing, in most of the larger lakes ; but their breeding-places 
are now few and far between. By the Bassenthwaite Lake there is still a 
heronry of upwards of thirty nests, but many old heronries, as that of 
Rydal-water, are now forsaken. Iam told that there was once a heronry 
near Buttermere, but that it no longer exists; I noticed several of the 
birds, however, flying over the lake there. The Woodcock breeds regularly 
now in Cumberland, and a man told me of a nest close to Derwentwater, 
but I did not go to see it. The Peregrine is very rare now, and I do not 
suppose there are more than three nests in the whole Lake District. Snow 
Buntings are sometimes seen in severe weather. A few Dotterels are 
generally observed every year, but I do not think a nest has been found for 
a long time. Lapwings are plentiful on the low ground between Derwent- 
water and Bassenthwaite Lakes, where Snipe, Teal, and Wild Duck also 
breed. The Ring Ouzel builds on ledges of the rock, and Rock Doves 
may frequently be seen darting from the crevices. — R. J. Arryu (Ingon 
Grange, Stratford-on-Avon). 
Sites of Dippers’ Nests.—An instance has come under my notice of a 
nest placed similarly to those described (Zool. 1884, p. 468; and 1885, 
p- 25). A careful man, who collects eggs for me, wrote on April 4th as 
follows :—“ I send the nest and eggs of Water Ouzel found April 2nd, 
1884, in the upper part of Glenlicky River, on a large rock (boulder) of 
stone in the centre of the stream. I send this nest, as I considered it 
different to others in being built so as to resemble a part of the rock in 
which it was inserted.” This nest is composed externally, as usual, of moss 
interspersed with grass-bents. The back is flat, having evidently been 
built against a part of the rock, but the top and sides are rounded, having 
been free. The orifice opens more directly at the side, and is not inclined 
downwards so much as in other nests built under bridges. Corroborating 
the attachment of the Dipper to a special site, I may mention that another 
nest was constructed last March on the inner flange of the iron girder of 
the railway bridge, similarly placed to that described by me (Zool. 1883, 
p- 118). ‘Ihe loud noise of trains passing within a few feet of this nest 
did not disturb the bird. The Dipper appears to me to jerk its tail 
downwards with a sort of curtsey when slightly alarmed, and never 
upwards, as shown in some figures of the bird. — R. J. Ussuer (Cappagh, 
Co. Waterford). 
Variety of the Greenfinch.—On the 23rd December last I shot a 
curious variety of the Greenfinch (Fringilla chloris), in which the whole of 
the back and breast were of a pale buff-colour, the under parts being 
