274 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



observed a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor), with some 

 food in its beak, fly into a high aspen, of which there were several in a 

 row. Hurrying towards the nearest tree, we noticed a large decayed 

 bough, about forty feet from the ground, on the under surface of which 

 were two small circular holes, evidently bored by these little birds. Lying 

 quietly in the grass beneath the tree, we had the pleasure of seeing the 

 male bird (whose red cap was distinctly visible) very cautiously enter the 

 lower of the two holes four times in the space of about twenty minutes. No 

 climbing was necessary to ascertain what the nest contained, for we could 

 distinctly hear the young ones. The fourth time the bird entered the hole 

 a noise we carelessly made frightened it very much. It flew out of the 

 hole in a great hurry, and made a noise about the trees exactly like 

 Blackbirds do when they are disturbed by a cat, though not so loud. It 

 also frequently " tapped " the trees after the manner of a Nuthatch. In 

 fact, my companion, who did not perceive its exit from the hole, was 

 completely deceived by these notes, really believing it was a Blackbird. It 

 displayed wonderful agility while searching for food about the boughs. 

 When a sudden or strong gust of wind threatened to blow it off its perch, 

 it quickly crept round the opposite side of the branch. We searched 

 carefully for the hen bird, but in vain, the cock seeming, by itself, to 

 undertake the business of rearing the brood. Perhaps some mishap had 

 befallen its mate. On a branch of a neighbouring aspen were several holes 

 of the same size as that occupied, undoubtedly made by Lesser Spotted 

 Woodpeckers, though none of them appeared to be tenanted. We left the 

 spot, when the bird at last flew away, feeling sure that it would remain safe 

 from molestation. The locality in which we found this nest is quite in the 

 opposite direction to the nest of the same species which I lately recorded 

 (p. 22). I do not feel justified, however, in naming the place, for I am 

 anxious to see whether the birds will nest there next year. A male Lesser 

 Spotted Woodpecker, which I received in the skin, was shot on the out- 

 skirts of the town in February last. The weather at that time was very 

 cold, and it was obtained close to a long row of houses. Occasional reports 

 reach me of these birds being seen about Bath, but they nearly always want 

 confirmation. — Charles Bethune Horsbrtjgh (Richmond Hill, Bath). 



Nesting Habits of Curlew. — I am informed by Mr. Richard Holme, 

 whose observations I have recorded on former occasions in this Journal, 

 that when recently visiting a Curlew's nest on a small moss on the fells in 

 this district, the old bird allowed him to walk past her within four or five 

 feet without leaving the nest. This was some ten days before the young were 

 hatched. Curiously enough, I have a note referring to the identical place, 

 showing that four or five years ago a Curlew allowed me to approach within 

 two yards without leaving the nest. As we are both accustomed to see 

 Curlews rise from their eggs very wild, and have found several nests by 



