Correspondence.



53



“ rains having ceased about ten days. During October, November and Decem-

“ ber north wind followed north wind every ten to fourteen days, with light

“ drizzling rain, which generally lasted from two to fourteen days, and with

“ increasing cold, until the thermometer is said to have fallen at one time to

“ 6lo Fahr. In January there were four moderately heavy rainfalls, with

“ strong north winds and cold nights. One very heavy rainfall occurred on

“ the 23rd February, with a considerable sprinkling of hail. After that came

“ the dry season, with the heat very great in April and May.”


Hubert D. Astley.


THE COUNTESS OF HAREWOOD ON LONGEVITY OF A

WHITE-EARED BULBUL.


SIR,—Having read in the Avicultural Magcizineior October of the longevity

of birds in captivity, I think it may be of interest to some of your readers to

know that I had a White-eared Bulbul given to me on Sept. 16th, 1S75, which

only died (in a fit) on May 3rd, 1893. It travelled about with me wherever I

went, both abroad and in the British Isles, and was absolutely tame, always

flying on to my finger directly it was called. It lived a great deal out loose in my

room and I even used to let it out in the train when I could have the windows

shut and 1 knew no one would open the door, F. HAREWOOD.



MOT AC ILL A ALBA.


SIR,—Mr, Teschemaker’s interesting article on the White Wagtail raises

the point as to whether it is a very rare breeding bird in England or not. Per¬

sonally I am inclined to think that it is often casually mistaken for the Pied

Wagtail ( M. lugubris ) owing to the difference in the colouring on back and wings

being overlooked.


There were certainly a pair this year near the coast of Northumberland,

not far from Holy Island, though I did not find the nest myself.


M. Portal.


COSCOROBA CYGNETS AT WOBURN ABBEY.


THE MARQUIS OF TAVISTOCK writes on the 17th of October :—


‘‘The young Coscoroba Swans were looking very fine when I last saw them about

“ a fortnight ago—full-grown and fully feathered, except for their pinions, so I

‘‘think they really ought to survive.”


[We believe this is the first time that this species of Swan has bred suc¬

cessfully in England, perhaps even in Europe?—ED.]


ACCHA SEED (?) FROM NIGERIA.


SIR,—I am sending you enclosed a sample of Accha seed from Nigeria.

Some time ago there was a privately imported collection of African small finches



