‘¢ fd 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 247 
Greenfinch (Griinfink) are only summer visitors to this part of Germany ; 
the two former arrived on March 24th, and the latter on March 28th. On 
the 24th, also, a Water Ouzel (Wasseramsel) was seen close to the mill. 
On the 25th March Chiffchaffs had arrived, and were heard singing lustily. 
On this same date I saw more large flocks of Cranes, some flying towards 
the north, and others towards the north-east. In every case they made 
their presence known by their musical cry. Most of these flocks were 
flying at a considerable elevation, and in the form of regular triangles; the 
wind was south, and the weather very fine and clear. On March 28th 
several more parties flew over in a northerly and north-easterly direction ; 
but a small party of three that I saw later in the day were flying south- 
east! The wind was then south. On this day I saw the first Goldcrest, 
and a Redstart on March 29th. I think the Kite (Gabelweihe), as well as 
the Sparrowhawk, are here only summer visitors, for I have seen neither 
during the winter, but a pair of each on March 28th. Common Buzzards 
(Bussard) have, however, been very plentiful all the winter; they have now 
retired to the woods for the purpose of nidification, and some may often be 
seen, when the weather is fine, soaring above the trees of the forest.— 
Puitie W. Munns (Papier Fabrik, near Cassel, Germany). 
Habits of the Coot.—Of the many birds once so common in our fens, 
the Coot is one that is fast disappearing. Sixty years ago the fowler seldom 
eared to kill them when other and more valuable fowl were plentiful. The 
Coot of to-day, however, has a rough time of it. Fearless to show himself, 
and easily flushed from the narrow fringe of flags or willows that border our 
rivers and dykes, he affords an easy shot to the poorest of marksmen. Of late 
years several pairs of Coots have bred in some reed-beds near Ely, arriving 
early in February, if the water be clear of ice. These representatives of the 
ancient denizens of the fens immediately establish the most stringent kind 
of home-rule, and, claiming their own again, as it were, my tame ducks 
soon become aware that they are intruders, the moorhens are made very 
unhappy,—in fact, all birds give them as wide a berth as possible. They 
are amusing enough, though I wish they would be off; still I have not the 
heart to evict them. Last year they killed forty-five young ducklings, 
which had been led into the Coot territory by their parents. ‘The ducklings 
dived to get out of the way, but at this they were no match for their 
pursuers. Others taking to the land were in worse plight, for they were at 
once caught and killed by blows on the back. The agonising cries of a 
duck whose brood was attacked brought the drake to her assistance; the 
Coot desisted from his murderous intentions, but, with feathers all on end 
and outstretched neck (making himself look as big and terrible as might 
be), went to meet him. Nothing daunted, on came the drake; then ensued 
a duel strange and fierce. The Coot, equally handy with claws and beak, 
fought desperately ; his autagonist was sore pressed, but at last seized the 
