298 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
the ground. ‘There was no nest, but the old bird was sitting on the egg 
when we found it. The tree overhangs a small pond, which is in no way 
subject to inundations; but former eggs have been so often taken by farm- 
labourers, I suppose the old bird tried to find a safer place. On May 8th 
we found a Cuckoo’s egg in a Pied Wagtail’s nest, which had contained 
four eggs previously, but the Cuckoo had evidently turned them all out 
when depositing her own. This, doubtless, caused the Wagtail to forsake, 
at least she never sat again on the nest. For several years we have found 
the same type of Cuckoo’s egg in a Pied Wagtail’s nest in the immediate 
neighbourhood of the above-mentioned nest. A Chaffinch laid two eggs in 
a nest in an apple tree, but for some reason the birds became dissatisfied 
with the site, and, pulling the nest to pieces, built another with the old 
materials in a tree about fifteen yards distant. We watched them flying 
from one tree to another when changing quarters. The eggs, it may 
be presumed, were allowed to fall; they certainly were not trans- 
ported. It is, of course, possible that it was another pair of birds 
which built the second nest. A pair of Blackbirds built a nest in the 
bottom of a fence. Some one found it, and, lifting up the top half with the 
lining, laid it by the side of the more solid under structure, formed of mud 
and roots. In this remaining half the eggs have been laid, and the bird is 
sitting on them. Fieldfares were here on May 8th. As I write (May 12th, 
noon) the thermometer stands at 38° F., and snow is falling heavily on 
the moors. The migrants seem to feel the cold very much, the Swallows 
being especially feeble, and perching in the willow bushes by the river in 
such a listless way that they could be knocked down with a short stick.— 
Tuomas Carter (Burton House, Masham). 
Grey Hen and Partridge laying in the same Nest.—On June 3rd 
I found a Grey Hen sitting on her nest, containing eight of her own eggs 
and six Partridge eggs. It may interest some of your readers to know this. 
—James Sargent (New Cumnoch, Ayrshire). 
Albino Robin.—A friend of mine, Mr. Peckover, has lately shot an 
albino Robin, which is now being preserved. It was quite young, its tail 
being only about half an inch long; of a cream colour, with pink eyes.— 
Kernnetu Lawson (12, Harley Street, Cavendish Square, W.). 
Breeding of the Lesser Redpoll.—tIn your extended review of the 
‘ Birds of Cumberland,’ you represent me as writing that ‘“ the Twite and 
Lesser Redpoll are charasteristic moorland species.” If you will refer to 
the paragraph on the latter species (p. 47) you will find that it is stated to 
be most strongly established in the north of the county from the Solway 
“to Brampton, at the base of the east fells.” It is certainly quite the 
reverse of a “moorland” species, at least in my experience. It is true 
