252 Field Note. 



yet it undoubtedly contains much meritorious matter and adds 

 considerably to our knowledge of the group ; it also demon- 

 strates that the author has found that as his studies are more 

 closely pursued a varietal nomenclature becomes increasingly 

 desirable and there can be httle doubt that as knowledge of the 

 subject accumulates, a precise varietal nomenclature will 

 become increasingly imperative and helpful. It is therefore of 

 some interest to learn that the able and well-known scientists 

 now actively engaged upon the study, rectification and revision 

 of the British Pisidia have adopted the principle of varietal 

 nomenclature to distinguish noteworthy specific modifications 

 in preference to the cumbrous and impracticable methods of 

 treating variations advocated by Mr, Woodward. 



: o : 



A Corncrake Puzzle. — On July loth, a neighbour asked 

 me to look at a strange bird that had been caught in his garden 

 that afternoon. To my great surprise it was a young Corn- 

 crake, about half fledged, but not quite able to fly. Its prim- 

 aries and secondaries were about half in and about half out 

 of the pen quills, and little bits of the black nestling down were 

 interspersed among the budding upper wing coverts. It was 

 apparently quite well and active, and took quick advantage 

 when given its liberty to run for cover and to make the chance 

 of catching it again almost an impossibility. That a young 

 Corncrake should be in a garden when haymaking was pro- 

 ceeding in the surrounding fields, would not occasion a moment's 

 surprise, excepting that we were not aware that there were 

 any Corncrakes in, or near, the village. The nearest ' craking ' 

 bird this season would be quite three-quarters of a mile from 

 where the young bird was caught, and on the other side of the 

 river. The young bird could not have crossed the river 

 excepting by a circuitous route over a bridge — which is out 

 of the question. I have questioned the tenants of the adjoining 

 fields and they have not heard a Corncrake this year, and it is 

 quite six years since I heard one in the village. That a young 

 half-fledged and flightless bird should be taken within a 

 hundred yards of my house, not only caused me great surprise, 

 but has been a puzzle to me ever since. Are some male Corn- 

 crakes dumb ? (Judging from various conversations I have 

 heard at sundry times I believe many people wish they all 

 were). On the other hand it may throw a little light on an- 

 other Corncrake problem. For years we have been recording 

 the continual decrease of Corncrakes over very wide areas, 

 and relying almost entirely on our ears for the observations — 

 at least, I have. Then, as if to mock me, this young bird, 

 which has undoubtedly been bred in the near neighbourhood, 

 reports itself almost at my front door. — H. B. Booth, Ben 

 Rhydding. 



Naturalist, 



