NOTES AND QUERIES. 265 
Wrens’ Nests.—Some time ago I described in ‘The Zoologist’ a 
Wren’s nest which had been built in a straw-stack, and as the outside was 
entirely composed of straw, I remarked that these little birds assimilated 
their nests generally to the surrounding objects. Since then I have formed 
another opinion, namely, that they make their nests of the nearest available 
materials, which very often match the surroundings of the nest. I may 
mention the following nests which have come under my notice:—-One in 
brown bracken, all outside of bracken ; one in a wall over a bed of nettles, the 
outside being composed of pieces and leaves of nettles; one near a 
carpenter's shop, all outside of shavings; one in an arbour—here the nest 
was built in the side in some old heather, and was made of old grass which was 
used to stop up holes in the window of the arbour; the light brown grass 
was very conspicuous against the dark heather. One in a beech-tree on the 
lawn was formed of new-mown grass from a heap below the branch on which 
it was placed.—J. Wurraxer (Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield). 
FISHES. 
Flying Fish.—An excellent opportunity of observing the aérial means 
of propulsion in the Flying Fish was afforded me during a six day’s calm 
lately, when crossing the Bay of Bengal. This must be my excuse for 
again touching this subject. I watched day by day some hundreds rise 
under the bows of the ship. The water-surface was a glassy calm. As 
each fish rose it spread its wings at once, apparently beating the surface 
with them two or three strokes before they steadied out. I say apparently, 
for it was not a definite beat so much as a struggle to rise. The tail, which 
of course under water was in rapid motion to escape from the ship, now 
gaye ten or a dozen rapid beats, which could be counted by the ripples on 
the still surface, and the fish was off in aérial flight. As each fish lost the 
impetus of the first rise, which generally happened at about forty yards, the 
binoculars showed us the anal fins, which had till now been fully extended, 
drooping to feel the water. As soon as the surface was felt the tail was 
quickly introduced, and five or six smart strokes, also indicated by ripples, 
brought the impetus up again and carried the fish about another thirty 
yards, when another droop sent it on again, and so forth, some of the older 
fish travelling in this way four hundred or five hundred yards. The 
younger fish frequently fell awkwardly in this attempt to regain impetus. 
Where waves are running it requires a clever fish to gain impetus by a few 
judicious strokes on the crest of a wave, and many a fish tumbles over in 
the attempt. I once saw a fish rise close to the ship's quarter, and it flew 
parallel with the ship, pursued below by a Dolphin or Bonita. The latter 
followed every sway of the Flying Fish, keeping almost under it. At the 
first dip of the tail the pursuer made a dart forward, but missed it, and 
again dogged its prey by keeping just under it. On the second dip the 
