Birds. 2415 



one nest. Elsewhere, in their general observations on the construction of the nests of 

 birds, these authors remark that some birds are most particular as to the materials for 

 the exterior of their nests, and that there is always found interwoven in the very skil- 

 fully constructed nest of the Sylvia Hippolais a quantity of small pieces of the tender 

 white outside of the birch ; and, in places where there are no birches, these must be 

 replaced by the chrysalis-cases of dead caterpillars, and by the webs of various insects. 



In the paper by Professor Rennie, to which I have referred, he mentions that he 

 had received from Mr. Blyth stuffed specimens of a young and an old bird, as exam- 

 ples of what the London dealers call the chiff-chafT (Sylvia rufa), but that, upon 

 examination, they appeared to him to be of a different and an unnoticed species, 

 greatly resembling the wood wren (Sylvia sibilatrix), but being of a brighter yellow. 

 Could this be that particular one of the group of willow wrens which is represented 

 by Mr. Lean as having been found near Bristol, and as having eggs of a globular 

 form and of a pure milk white? — James Smith; Manse of Monquhitter, Aberdeen- 

 shire, February 20, 1849. 



Early Arrival of the Tree Pipit (Anthus arboreus). — I beg to offer to your notice 

 the arrival of the tree pipit, which I saw yesterday (March 1 6th) and could have shot, 

 on the sea coast near Shoreham Harbour : it was a beautiful mild day, and the pretty 

 little fellow was ascending and descending, in his very peculiar way, in the full 

 height of his song. Yarrell says they arrive about the third week in April ; and the 

 occurrence of this a month earlier I thought somewhat singular, but owing no doubt 

 to the very mild winter we have had. — Thomas Thomcroft ; Brighton, March 17, 

 1849. 



Arrival of the Snow Bunting (Emberiza nivalis). — These birds visit our Norfolk 

 coast in winter, arriving at the latter end of November or December, according to 

 the weather. Macgillivray mentions having seen these birds in the Western Isles 

 September 28th, which he considers rather a novelty : however, I have shot them 

 as early as September 27th (1848), at Waxham, near Yarmouth : the flock consisted 

 of five — three males and two females : they were in whiter plumage than any I have 

 ever seen. — W. E. Cater ; Queen's College, Cambridge, February 22, 1849. 



Granivorous propensity of the Sparrow. — Between the beginning and the end there 

 is often much difference, and in some instances the mutability of the mind is as evi- 

 dent as the mutation of other things around us ; and I do not remember being more 

 forcibly struck with this than while reading Mr. Briggs's letter. I should certainly 

 have made no reply had not the inquiry at the close of his letter been directed to me, 

 which shall be answered in due time. At the beginning we find him in haste, passing 

 over all prefatory remarks to begin at once the work of dissecting their communica- 

 tions, commencing with Mr. Hawley's, at the end of which it is said " In Mr. Duff's 

 there is little to notice." Now here is either change of mind, or Mr. B. considers in 

 dissecting one he has dissected both : of this I leave the readers of the ' Zoologist ' 

 to judge. It is not my intention to dissect Mr. Briggs's letter, lest — after tiying to 

 sever nerves, muscles and tendons — the instrument should fall powerless from my 

 nerveless grasp before the work is done. I hope it is truth we want ; and as facts are 

 truths, these will answer the end best : I therefore send the following. About a quarter 

 of a mile east of this place is a round tower, standing on the Bishop of Durham's 

 domain, and near the park wall : it had been in a dilapidated state for many years, 

 and in the crevices were many both starling and sparrow nests, — of the latter some 

 scores. It was an object of interest to his present lordship ; and about five or six 



