278 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



whether the light was withdrawn to a distance or concealed or waved 

 slowly across the bird's field of vision, the singing continued as before 

 without a pause. I found also that the noise caused by a savage 

 kick amongst the undergrowth at the bottom of the bush was imme- 

 diately followed by a cessation of singing, but only for a moment, 

 and six kicks in succession at intervals of a few seconds were 

 promptly sandwiched with five snatches of song. On the other 

 hand, a stealthy or gradual movement was followed by a much longer 

 silence which remained unbroken for a minute, or even longer. 

 Finally, before leaving, I pushed the lantern slowly into the bush 

 and followed it up with my face, which I succeeded in placing within 

 nine inches of the songster before the slightest exception was taken 

 to my presence. — A. P. Saint (Nottingham Terrace, Marylebone 

 Road). 



Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla rail). — In Mr. 0. V. Aplin's notes on 

 decrease of Corn-Crake, &c. {ante, p. 237), mention is made that 

 " Ray's Wagtail is decreasing in numbers compared to some years ago. 

 The usefulness of protection for this or any bird is doubted." I would 

 like to state that in Upper Airedale and Wharfedale, where we are 

 great believers in protection, the Ray's is now our commonest Wagtail. 

 In one small triangular, three-acred field alongside the Wharfe there 

 were three nests each with six eggs ; similarly in Airedale, it seems 

 to be yearly increasing as a breeding species. Last year (1910) it was 

 particularly abundant in Upper Airedale. Thirty years ago it was 

 comparatively scarce. Perhaps this species is extending its breeding 

 range further north, and this, with the protection afforded, accounts 

 for its thriving in the districts mentioned. — W, H. Parkin (Stud- 

 holme, Shipley). 



Alpine Swift in the New Forest. — I recently s^w an Alpine Swift 

 [Cypselus melba) at Brockenhurst, and the appearance of this rare 

 visitor to our country is perhaps sufficiently interesting to be recorded 

 in ' The Zoologist.' It was on the morning of Sunday, May 28th, 

 that my friend Mr. E. A. Waterhouse and I saw the bird flying at no 

 great height close to Brockenhurst Bridge. In fact, it was flying 

 only sufficiently high to clear the thorn-trees and high bushes by the 

 river, the course of which it appeared to be following from west to 

 east. As the bird was coming towards us in bright sunshine, we 

 were able to see it distinctly, and its white breast was conspicuous, 

 so that we had no doubt of the species. Indeed, it was so obviously 

 a large Swift that it was impossible to mistake it for any other bird. 

 — R. S. MiTFORD (35, Redcliffe Square, South Kensington). 



