Birds. 4017 



there must have been some mistake on the part of the writers quoted, as to the species 

 of bird in which that pouch was observed.'' — From the ' Proceedings of the Linnean 

 Society^ p. 207. 



Note on Woodcocks nesting in Suiherlandshire, and carrying their Young in their 

 Claws. — "As I know the interest you feel in birds, I send you a statement of what I 

 saw among the woodcocks in Sutherland, where I was during the month of May ; and 

 though I have seen as much of woodcocks in Norfolk as most men, I saw more of them 

 in one month in Scotland than I had ever seen before. The wood where they were most 

 common was a birch-wood, of large extent, on the side of a hill sloping down to the river 

 Sheen : there were a good many marshy places in it, but generally speaking it was dry, 

 and the under-cover mostly heather. My first introduction to them happened thus: — 

 On crossing a grassy plain in the centre of the wood, I saw an old bird fly up with a 

 young one in her claws. I was so near that there could be no mistake about it ; and 

 on going to the place whence she rose, I found two more young ones squatting toge- 

 ther, but no signs of a nest. The young birds were about half grown, and unable to 

 fly. On taking them up they uttered a very shrill note, almost as sharp as that of a 

 bat, which was answered by the mother; and on putting them down they ran to a short 

 distance, where they were joined by the old bird. At three different times T saw the 

 old bird carrying a young one. Her flight was always low and heavy, and exactly 

 like that of a hawk with a bird in its claws. On one occasion, late in the evening, I 

 saw a woodcock cross the road where I was walkiug, carrying a young one down the 

 hill-side to the river, and return almost immediately alone. As I thought that proba- 

 bly she was going to fetch the rest of the young ones, I watched carefully, but owing 

 to the darkness most probably missed seeing her, though after a few minutes I saw a 

 bird return from the river-side to the hill, in the same track as the former bird had 

 followed, and have little doubt she had taken down another young one, though I had 

 failed to see her pass. It is the common opinion among the keepers &c, that the old 

 birds carry their young ones regularly to feed, and bring them back again in the morn- 

 ing. Woodcocks are very abundant, and almost every evening, at dusk, I saw a con- 

 siderable number flying off to feed. They generally flew round the wood once or twice 

 before they went off, making a most extraordinary rumbling sort of noise, the last one 

 would suppose a woodcock capable of making. The keeper told me that he constantly 

 found nests of the woodcock, and seemed to think about as much of them as we do of 

 a blackbird's nest." — E. C. Buxton* 



Note on a Wingless Bird said to inhabit the Island of Tristan oVAcunha. — My 

 friend Mr. F. Strange, of Sydney, lately mentioned to me in a letter which he wrote 

 from Sydney, that he had recently met a person who was conversant with the island 

 of Tristan d'Acunha, and who stated that a wingless bird was found on that island, 

 which was eaten by sailors and others visiting it, and who called the bird the "Island- 

 hen." Mr. Strange's letter gave no further particulars ; but should any of the readers 

 of the ' Zoologist' at any time have the means of making inquiries on this curious 

 subject, I trust the opportunity will not be neglected, either by them, or by any orni- 

 thologists who may chance to have communication with this remote island. — J. H. 

 Gurney ; Lowestoft, July 25, 1853. 



* In a letter to J. H. Gurney, Esq., by whom, with Mr. Buxton's kind permission, 

 it has been communicated to the ' Zoologist.' 



XI. 2 Q 



