352 notes: ornithology. 



globe and the differentiation of species and races, as well as the laws 

 which govern migration. As bearing more directly on this latter subject 

 the three maps included in this work will be found of much use for 

 reference. These are a Bathy-orographical map of the United 

 Kingdom and the groups of islands, a similar map of Europe, and the 

 North Polar Chart. 



The author has not failed to point out, so far as his very limited 

 space has permitted, the most obvious points of distinction between 

 closely allied representative species and races, so that an ornitho- 

 logist can have no difficulty in correctly diagnosing any bird which 

 he may happen to come across. In every case also, where possible, 

 the call-note and song of each species is given, the most ready, and 

 often the only way of distinguishing a bird in a wild state. 



The structural character and situation of the nest, number and 

 colour of eggs, habits and food are all briefly and clearly described, 

 with a concluding paragraph descriptive of the male, female and 

 young. 



In fact the whole of the 754 pages of the volume will be found 

 a storehouse of information on its special subject, and we have no 

 hesitation in saying that all who care in any degree for the study of 

 birds will heartily thank Mr. Saunders for his most excellent work, 

 and in doing so wish for more. We can only hope that it may 

 shortly be followed by a companion Manual dealing with such species 

 belonging to the Western Palee-arctic region, which so far have not 

 been recognised in the United Kingdom. 



NO TES— ORNITHOL O G Y. 

 Montagu's Harrier in Westmorland. — This Harrier {Circus cineraceus) 

 is much rarer in the north of England than in the eastern and south-west counties. 

 It has occurred in Cumberland, and also on Walney Island, but I have never yet 

 examined an example killed in Westmorland. A friend of mine, who has lately 

 been shooting near Burgh, reports to me that an example of this Harrier was 

 killed in that district on September 15th. He saw the bird brought into the house 

 where he was staying, by the keeper who had trapped it. — H. A. Maci'HEkso.n, 

 Carlisle, Sep. 24th, 1890. 



Swallows' Nests. — I do not think the site mentioned by Mr. Waite can 

 be called uncommon in this country, although I must admit that it is more 

 common abroad, merely, I presume, because other sites are less abundant. 

 I rememijer, when a boy, taking Swallows' eggs from nests built under the eaves 

 of the village church, in precisely similar situations to those of Martins, and 

 I know of a wooden shed in a marsh in Kent which always has a nest on its walls. 

 In barns, cow-sheds, railway stations, etc., the nests are usually (but not always) 

 aftixed to the rafters without support. — ^J. YOUNC, 64, Hereford Road, Bayswater, 

 London, Oct. 3rd, 1890. 



Storm Petrel at Howden, Yorks. — 1 received this morning (rom Mr. H. 

 Smith, Thorpe Hall, Howden, a Stormy Petrel {Frocellaria felagica) found by 

 him yesterday. In all probability it was killed by the telegraph wires. Two 

 occurrences of this species have been reported previously near here. — Thomas 



Bunker, (Joole, Oct. 20th, 1890. 



Naturalist, 



