2454 Birds. 



Eggs.— Long diameter T 8 5 ths of an inch ; transverse diameter ^ths. On attempting to 

 blow one of them it was found to be far advanced in incubation, the embryo being too 

 large to admit of its passing out From this circumstance it is probable this species 

 lays but three eggs, — the number found in the nest mentioned by Mr. Benson. — John 

 N. Beadles ; Broadway, Worcestershire, May 8, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) at Rye. — I shot a very fine male 

 specimen of this bird last week, from a thorn. I am not aware of its having been 

 noticed more than twice in this district, and I cannot find any one who knows the 

 bird.—/. B. Ellman ; Rye, April 17, 1849. 



Singular Anecdote of a Canary. — I fancy I have discovered rather a curious fact 

 with regard to a pet canary in my possession. I find that though, when asleep, he 

 is readily roused by being brought to the light of a candle, or by any movement which 

 disturbs his equilibrium on his perch, no noise I have yet been able to make has been 

 sufficient to interrupt his sleep. I have talked, bawled, whistled, clapped my hands, 

 and sounded even the loudest and most braying notes of a cornopean close to him, 

 without producing apparently the slightest effect. When awake, however, he takes 

 notice of every noise that is made. Can any of your readers account for this, or tell 

 me whether it is peculiar to my individual or the species ? Will those who possess 

 caged birds be kind enough to make the experiment for themselves, and forward the 

 result to the ' Zoologist' ? — W. S. Lewis; Ripon, Yorkshire, April 17, 1849. 



Change of Colour in the Bullfinch. — I find, from inquiry of two bird-fanciers in 

 this place, that they both have had bullfinches whose plumage has changed to black ; 

 and they attribute it to the birds having been fed on hemp-seed, though it was par- 

 tially mixed with canary seed ; but in both instances in less time than four years, as 

 mentioned by White, — one at the second time of moulting, and the other at the third. 

 — Joseph Duff; Bishop's Auckland, May, 1849. 



Frequent occurrence of the Hawfinch (Loxia coccothraustes) at Rye. — This bird 

 has been almost common since Christmas in this neighbourhood, and last week eight 

 were seen together. Several have been shot ; and from the late appearance I incline 

 to think that they are going to nest with us. I know an instance of a nest with five 

 eggs having been found at Tenterden, in Kent, ten miles from here.— J. B. Ellman ; 

 Rye, April 26, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Hawfinch at Tring and Berkhampstead.—l have now in my pos- 

 session a beautiful pair of the hawfinch, which were shot here last week by a relation 

 of mine. The birds were in full plumage, and would no doubt have bred here if al- 

 lowed to remain : they were not observed previously to the day on which they were 

 killed. I have since observed another pair in a wood near Tring. A male specimen 

 was killed at Berkhampstead, six miles from here, about six years ago : I cannot hear 

 of any other instance of the occurrence of the hawfinch in this locality. — H. H. Crewe ; 

 Drayton Lodge, Tring, Herts, April 16, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Smaller Spotted Woodpecker (Picus minor) near Stowmarket. — 

 A specimen of this bird was shot at Haughleigh, near this town, two years ago. 

 About the same time a specimen of the cormorant (Phalacrocorax carlo) was picked up 

 in a ploughed field, twenty miles from the sea, and kept alive a few days, by a person 

 entirely ignorant of its habits : when dead, he brought it to me to give it a " local 

 habitation and a name." — C. R. Bree ; Stowmarket, March, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Hooded Crow (Corvus corone) at Drinkstone. — In January last 

 I saw a pair of hooded crows at Drinkstone, twenty-eight miles from the sea. — Id. 



