Birds. 2849 



spotted flycatchers visited us in the early part of last summer, but I could not hear 

 of their nests. I have known them here before, but not so many together. A few 

 specimens of the golden oriole also visited us about the same time : these birds have 

 been noticed here before, and I have a handsome male preserved. I find that we 

 have 235 well-authenticated species of birds, residents and visitors, of Somersetsbire, 

 and seven questionable ones. It is curious that we come so near in number to the 

 birds of Oxfordshire, as reported in your pages by the Revds. A. and H. Matthews, 

 in their late highly-interesting article on this subject. — W. Baker ; Bridgwater, May 

 11, 1850. 



The Eagle Owl (Strix Bubo) breeding in confinement. — I had, last year, the plea- 

 sure of noticing in the ' Zoologist ' (Zool. 2452 and 2566) the circumstance of a pair 

 of eagle owls having bred in confinement. I have now to mention that the same 

 pair of birds have again bred this year. Three eggs were laid this time, being the 

 same number as last year ; one egg was addled, but the other two have produced a 

 pair of fine healthy birds. The first egg was laid this year, on the 10th of March, 

 being thirty-four days earlier than was the case last year. The period of incu- 

 bation (reckoned from the laying of the first egg to the hatching of the first young 

 one) has been in both cases thirty-six days. — J. H. Gurnet/ ; Easton, Norfolk, May 

 14, 1850. 



Occurrence of the Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla) at Battisford, Suffolk. 

 — A beautiful male of this species was shot on the 9th of May last, at the above 

 place ; it is the first occurrence of this bird in the neighbourhood that I am aware 

 of. — Henry Lingwood ; Battisford, Needham Market, Suffolk. 



Imitative power in the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). — We have a blackcap in one 

 of our plantations, which amuses me by its accurate imitation of the alarm-notes of 

 the blackbird and robin. The pink, pink, pink, of the blackbird is hit off with won- 

 derful exactness, as is also that luctuose note so peculiar to the robin at nesting-time. 

 If you think the circumstance worth mention in the pages of your publication, I place 

 it at your disposal. — Peter Inchbald; Storthes Hall, May 16, 1850. 



Nest and Eggs of Savi's Warbler. — I took a nest of Savi's warbler at Dagenham, 

 on the 14th of May : the nest was built solely of reeds, and exactly resembled that 

 represented in the ' Zoologist' (Zool. 1307). It contained five eggs uniformly freckled 

 all over with minute dark brown spots. — /. Green ; Whitecross Place, Wilson Street, 

 Finsbury, June 1, 1850. 



Occurrence of the Wood Lark (Alauda arborea) in Scotland. — The extensive drain- 

 age wbich has already been carried into effect, as well as that which is still being 

 prosecuted with unusual vigour, in the eastern portion of Aberdeenshire, have con- 

 tributed, there cannot be a doubt, to the amelioration and the softening of the cli- 

 mate, and to the appearance, for the first time, of natural objects, which at no distant 

 period had never been seen in this portion of the kingdom. It seems equally certain 

 that these desirable results have been accelerated by the numerous plantations and 

 copses which now flourish in luxuriant growth, even in places where, only a few years 

 ago, the surface of the ground was covered all over with heath, — unprofitable to man 

 and associated with frost and cold, although in the height of summer exhibiting, it 

 must be allowed, a tint of purple which gladdened the eye, and might beseem the 

 robe of a monarch. Of the feathered strangers, which have in consequence been re- 

 cently met with in this part of the country, may be enumerated, as among the more 



