OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS IN MID-WALES. 143 



Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus. More numerous in some years 

 than in others : 1892, April 28th ; 1893, April 19th ; 1894, April 

 18th. In 1893 I heard the broken note, " cue-cuc-koo," as early 

 as May 13th. A young bird at Llanbadarn, September 10th, 1894. 

 One found dead by Capt. Cosens had hanged itself while forcing 

 its way into a thick syringa bush. 



Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus. The example 

 figured by Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser in the * Birds of Europe,' 

 which was picked up dead on the Cribyn beach, a mile and a half 

 north of Aberystwyth, Oct. 26th, 1870, is still in the possession 

 of Capt. G. W. Cosens, of Llanbadarn. 



Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus. Common about oak woods 

 and fern-covered slopes, as at the foot of the Bird Rock. One 

 killed itself at Bronpadarn by flying against a window. Frequently 

 caught in pole-traps. 



Swift, Cypselus apus. Common. Breeding was hindered in 

 1894 by cold weather at the end of May. 1892, May 3rd ; 1893, 

 May 2nd ; 1894, May 5th. 



Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida. Absent from many streams 

 which are fouled by lead-washing, but frequents the Teifi, 

 the Dysynni above Towyn, and the ditches which intersect the 

 Gors Fochno. 



Columb;e. 



Ring Dove, Columba palumbus. Numerous. A flock seen on 

 May 19th, 1894, would probably consist of the young of the first 

 brood. 



Stock Dove, C. cenas. Numerous about inland cliffs, e.g., 

 those which occur in the rocky dales of the upper Wye and 

 Towy. The pigeons which haunt the Bird Rock, and the few 

 pairs which frequent the sea-cliffs, are probably all of this 

 species. Parts of the Cardiganshire coast are well suited to the 

 Rock Dove, but I have not been able to detect it. 



Turtle Dove, Turtur communis. A summer visitor in very 

 small numbers. Breeds annually at Gogerddan and at Llan- 

 badarn. 



(To be continued.) 



