Birds. 3945 



the circumstances under which rare stragglers may reach our coasts, and the less risk 

 there will be of the minor collateral incidents (which are always interesting and often 

 important) being omitted or mis-stated. I agree with Mr. Tristram, that such ex- 

 tremely accidental visitors as the bird in question, or as the two others to which he 

 refers, can scarcely be called " British birds," even in the widest sense of the term ; 

 but, at the same time, their occurrence at so great a distance from their native coun- 

 tries, is always a very interesting event, as showing the extent to which some species 

 stray beyond the boundary of their natural and normal habitat: and this is especially 

 the case where the species, like the jacamar or the Australian spine-tailed swallow, is 

 either insectivorous, or so nearly so as to be incapable of being kept in confinement, or 

 of being brought over in that state by any vessel. — J. H. Gurneij ; Easton, Norfolk, 

 June 3, 1853. 



Occurrence of the Kite at Horndean, Hants. — A pair of these now rare birds were 

 observed, a few Sundays ago, hovering about over the woods near here ; they eventu- 

 ally went off in a northerly direction. — William Henri) Hawker; Horndean, Hants, 

 June 11, 1853. 



Capture of the Blue-throated Warbler (Sylvia Suecica) in Kent. — A fine old male 

 bird was taken in a nightingale-trap on the 16th of May, 1845, in the couuty of Kent. 

 I had it alive for several months; and both Mr. Hewitson, and Mr. John Hancock of 

 Newcastle-upon Tyne, saw it while alive. The latter gentleman now has it in his col- 

 lection. — James Green, Naturalist ; 1, East Road, City Road, June, 1853. 



Nest and Eggs of SavVs Warbler. — I have now by me the nest and five eggs of 

 Savi's warbler, which I took at Erith, in Kent, on the 28th of May, 1853. — Id. 



Occurrence of the Rose-coloured Pastor at the Land's End. — I observed a female 

 specimen of this bird just now in the hands of Mr. Vingoe, who received it from the 

 immediate vicinity of the Land's End, yesterday. I examined the ovary in the body, 

 and found a mass of undeveloped eggs, which, I should think, would not have come 

 to maturity for a month at least. Whether the bird had hatched an early brood I cau- 

 not say ; but it appears, by the result of the anatomical inspection, that the bird at 

 least continues to breed until the summer is far advanced. I observe that nothing is 

 said by Hewitson, Selby, Montagu, or Jenyns, as to its nidification, eggs, &c. In 

 Mr. Hewitson's work there is no figure of the egg; and so little being known as to 

 this department of the bird's history, I have ventured to state what I have observed, 

 thinking it probable that it might have bred in this country. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; 

 Penzance, June 1 1, 1853. 



Note on a Partridge's Nest in a Stubble-rick. — I am just returned from witness- 

 ing a partridge's nest in a curious place, viz., in a stubble-rick, or, as it is here called, 

 a " stubb-stack." It is about six feet from the ground, and so well concealed in the 

 stubble, that it cannot be seen by any one unless on horseback ; and was accidentally 

 discovered by the owner of the farm, Mr. Hillier, of Winterbourne Monckton, as he 

 rode past. On the occasion of my visiting it, the old bird was on her nest, but was off 

 again immediately I went near her. The nest contains fifteen eggs. What renders 

 it the more extraordinary that the bird should have fixed on such an exalted position 

 is, that she is surrounded on all sides by hundreds of acres of corn of every description, 

 of clover and turnips, the rick fixed upon being situated in the middle of the open 

 downs, so that there was no lack of choice of such positions as partridges are wont to 

 select for their nurseries. It is clear that no motives of protection from inclement 

 weather and rude winds (which not unfrequently prevail in these downs) can have 

 XI. 2 G 



