176



Co? respo?ide?ice.



THE WATER RAIL-


Sir, —Residing as I do in Kent, the correspondence re Water Rails*"

has been of considerable interest to me, and I have often wanted satis¬

factory evidence of their breeding in the County. In some of our marshy

ponds, adjoining old mill ponds, are many Water Rails, but beyond seeing

the tracks of their feet on the soft mud and hearing an occasional chorus of

squeals and grunts in the evenings their presence would hardly be expected,

and it very unusual to see one show itself, except by long waiting or when

put up by a dog. I can quite agree with Dr. Ticehurst, that to see so many

Water Rails feeding in meadow's, and in one instance no less than seven

together, is an unique and I should think an unusual occurrence, and Mr.

Farmborough is much to be congratulated for having been the first to

be able to record such a one. t


There can be no question as to the Water Rail being common enough,

especially in winter, but I must disagree with the statement that the I,and

Rail is now a common bird, with I believe the exception of some localities

in the west of these islands. The Land Rail or Corn Crake has become a

rare, or comparatively rare, breeding species, mainly, I presume, owing to-

their being almost all annihilated year after year by mowing machines. In

the autumn a certain number appear, but in most localities very few breed.


E. G. B. Meade-Wai.do.



THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDF 1 NS.


The very fine male Great Bird of Paradise, that has for some four

years been one of the great attractions in the Gardens, died quite recently.

The post mortem examination revealed no sign of disease, but every

indication of old age.


A pair of Cape Barren or Cereopsis Geese brought fiom Tasmania with

the Australian collection have a nest, and the female has been sitting some

time: and a pair of Australian Winking Owls (Ninox connivens) also have

a nest.



“THE WAXWING.”— a correction.


Page 115, first paragraph, line 3, should read : “ It is circumpolar and

alone of the three species inhabits Europe, and, at irregular intervals, visits

these islands.”



[* See Vol. VI., pp. 303, 347, and present volume, p. 112.]


[+ It lias been suggested by one of our members that the Rails that Mr. Farmborough

saw feeding in the meadows must have been young Moorhens.—En.]



