356 Titlark feeding young Cuckoo. 



numerous specimens in Dr. Boott's collection of Carices. The 

 dried specimens in tlie Herbarium vary considerably in appear- 

 ance, but to many of them the plants in my possession made the 

 closest possible approach. While more mature specimens would 

 be requisite to remove all doubt on the subject, I confess there 

 is now scarcely a doubt in my own mind ; and Professor Oliver 

 stated as the result of our examination and comparison, that 

 there need be little hestitation in declaring that the Holy Island 

 plant is Carex divisa. He was under the impression that the 

 species had been previously found somewhere within the territory 

 of the Tyneside Naturalists' Club ; but the present is the first 

 record of its occurrence in the district visited by the Berwickshire 

 Naturalists' Club. J. Faeqtjhakson. 



Titlark feeding young Cuckoo. 



I have only a few times seen the titlark and a young cuckoo 

 together ; and it is interesting to watch how closely the small 

 bird follows the larger in all -its movements. I have not, how- 

 ever, seen the titlark feeding the cuckoo, which must be a very 

 pretty sight. I have received a note from a friend, who resides 

 in the uplands of Gala Water, telling me that he watched a 

 titling and young cuckoo for about half an hour this season, 

 during which time the tit many times fed the cuckoo. The 

 cuckoo seemed easy and careless of its small foster mother, but 

 was always ready to accept the grub, offered. Sometimes the tit 

 sat on the cuckoo's back when feeding it, sometimes on its head, 

 and occasionally it dropped the food into the gaping mouth of 

 the cuckoo while passing it on the wing. This is so interesting 

 a subject, that members who have witnessed similar proceedings 

 on the part of these birds would do well to record them for the 

 benefit of the Club. James Smail. 



Kirkcaldy, Oct. 24th, 1883. 



