126 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



by gradually shifting the eggs. I am informed by the ensiueer of the 

 works that, as the nests cause obstructions in the wheels, they are usually 

 removed before the young are fledged. — J. Jenner Weir (6, Haddo Villas, 

 Blackheath). 



Ornithological Notes from the Isle of Wight.— On October 3rd, 

 1882, a Thick-knee Plover was picked up on Bembridge Down. A Red- 

 necked Phalarope, 7i incites in length, was received by Mr. Smith, the 

 taxidermist at Newport, on October 29th, the first he had seen or heard of 

 in the island, after twenty-one years' experience there. The Grey Phalarope 

 has been a frequent autumnal, visitor to our shores of late years. In the 

 northern part of the kingdom the Red-necked species appears to be more 

 frequently met with than the Grey, which had only once come under 

 Macgillivrav's observation in winter, whereas the former is said to be 

 " much more numerous." There is no accounting for the great increase of 

 the number of Phalaropes visiting us in the autumn ; either the species 

 must be much more numerous or the migratory line of flight changed. — 

 H. W. Hadfield (High Cliff, Veutnor). 



Wren building in deserted Nest of Martin.— A pair of Wrens built 

 last year (1882) in the deserted nest of a Martin, Hirundo urbica. The 

 latter was sixteen feet two inches from the ground, with an eastern 

 aspect. — H. J. J. Brydges (Boullibrooke, Presteign). 



[A curious and unusual situation. — Ed.] 



Occurrence of the American Kestrel in Yorkshire. — A female 

 example of Falco sparverius was shot by a gamekeeper near Helmsley, 

 Yorkshire, in May, 1882. I first saw the bird with Mr. C. Helstrip, bird- 

 stuffer, St. Saviour's Place, York, on the 14th November last, and have 

 since bought it, being perfectly convinced as to its authenticity. I have 

 seen for myself both where the shooter stood and where the bird fell. I am 

 informed by my friend Mr. Robert Taylor, of Harome, near Helmsley, who 

 skinned my specimen, that a pair were killed, but that only one was found, 

 They were shot in a small copse of deciduous trees, and the nature of the 

 undergrowth was such that " marking them down " was made completely out 

 of the question, falling as they did iu different directions. I have shown 

 the bird' to Mr. Seebohm, and he confirms my opinion as to the species. 

 It agrees very well with a specimen in his collection. The total length is 

 only 9J inches. The red marks upon the head, which are characteristic of 

 the bird, are well defined, and also the dark regular bars extending across 

 both wings and back, and on the tail. On November 30th I went again to 

 Harome, and was told that the skeleton of the second bird had been found 

 The specimen is, I believe, the only one on record as having been taken iu 

 Europe. It has no appearance whatever of ever having been in confinement, 

 the feathers being remarkably perfect. — J. Backhouse, Jun. (York). 



