306 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



this bustle and turmoil I never failed to see these birds flitting across the 

 shingle, or perched on the highest stone on the look out for the safety of 

 their young. That they were breeding I think there can be no doubt, as 

 two of the young of the western pair were seen running on the beach. — 

 J. Jenner Weir (Blackheath). 



Marsh Warbler nkar Taunton. — After hearing of two nests with 

 eggs of the Marsh Warbler being taken this season on the north side of 

 this town, and thinking that other birds may be breeding in or near the 

 same spot as the nest and eggs were found in 1877 (on the south side of 

 the town), I went with Mr. F. Morle in search in this neighbourhood for 

 several mornings and evenings in succession. On the evening of June 30th 

 our researches were rewarded, for very close to the old spot (indeed but a 

 few paces distant from the site of the 187 7 nest) my friend came upon a nest 

 containing four beautiful eggs. The nest, which was attached to two stalks 

 of cow-parsoep and one of the nettle, is much more compact and somewhat 

 deeper, and built higher from the ground, than the two found earlier in 

 June; both which nests, with the eggs, now in the well-known collection 

 of Mr. John Marshall, of Belmont, I have had the pleasure of examining. 

 We spent some time in watching the birds, to make ourselves thoroughly 

 acquainted with the song, which is somewhat similar to that of the 

 Blackcap, having very few of the harsh notes of the Sedge Warbler, and 

 with now and again a trill of liquid notes very like that of the Nightingale, 

 but softer, which I have never noticed in the Reed or Sedge Warbler. 

 Altogether the song of the Marsh Warbler is very sweet, and distinct from 

 cither. — F. Stansem. (10, Silver Street, Taunton). 



WboDOOOK'a MODE of carrying its Young. — Since Mr. Harting's 

 article on this subject appeared in 'The Zoologist' in November, 1879, 

 I have heard the following statement made by James MacEvoy, an 

 intelligent man whom I believe to be a trustworthy witness, and who is 

 constantly employed in the extensive oak woods at Brittas, Queen's County, 

 where Woodcocks habitually breed. I have refrained from communicating 

 it until it should receive some corroboration. I am glad to hear from 

 Mr. Reeves, of Capard, in the same part of the country, that he will 

 state his own experience of the Woodcock's mode of carrying her young. 

 MacEvoy told me that one day, while he was quietly employed in the 

 Brittas woods, he saw a Woodcock remove three of her young in succession. 

 It does not appear that she was alarmed or hurried, but seemed to be 

 removing them deliberately, as some little interval elapsed between each of 

 the removals, which were all made in the same direction. He distinctly 

 stati d, of his own accord, that he saw the old bird support her young, not 

 only with her feet, but with her bill, which she pressed inwards against 

 them towards her breast. If this be so, it explains Scopoli's statement, 



