30d THE ZOOLOGIST. 



cestershire that, for natural history purposes, it might be claimed by either 

 county. Bank Voles were numerous, and I watched their movements for 

 some time. I killed one, and found that it was feeding upon the tender 

 young leaves of the hawthorn. It would dart out, seize a leaf, and retire 

 to devour it. I know several places in Worcestershire where this little 

 animal is common, and I have one now in my possession, which, after a 

 severe thunder-storm, was washed into the middle of King's Road, King's 

 Heath. — F. Cobubn (Hollo way Head, Birmingham). 



BIRDS. 



Reported Nesting of Marsh Harrier near Oxford.— With reference 

 to the notes on this subject which have already appeared (pp. 227, 268), 

 we are in a position to state that having made further enquiry of Mr. Swann 

 and Mr. Buttress, we are satisfied that some mistake has been made, and 

 that there is no evidence to support the statement that the Marsh Harrier 

 nested in Oxfordshire in July, 1890. — Ed. 



Nesting of the Grey Wagtail.— During the last week of March last, 

 when staying at Nettlecombe, a village a few miles from Williton, I saw a 

 pair of Grey Wagtails (Motacilla sulphured) running about the drive and 

 lawn in front of the rectory, and perching on the trees and roof of the 

 house, apparently looking out for a nesting site. On mentioning the fact to 

 my host, he informed me that a pair (of what he called Yellow Wagtails) 

 nested every year in the ivy or creepers on the house. The rectory is some 

 200 or 300 yards away from any water. I saw the pair every day while 

 I was there, and they remained the greater part of the day about the 

 house. I was surprised at this, for I have seldom seen them far from 

 water for any length of time, and on referring to Seebohm's ' British Birds ' 

 (vol. ii. p. 204) I found no mention of them in such a situation. — H. St. B. 

 Goldsmith (Bridgewater). 



Nesting of the Lesser Redpoll and Hawfinch in Somerset. — Since 

 writing to you about the Lesser Redpoll (p. 265), I have heard of several 

 instances of its nesting in Somerset, and of some two or three nests being 

 taken this year in the county. The Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris) 

 has also nested in considerable numbers in the north-eastern parts of the 

 county this summer.— H. St. B. Goldsmith (Bridgewater). 



Nesting of the Marsh Warbler near Bath.— In June, 1892, I first 

 made the acquaintance of the Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) in 

 Oxfordshire, where I was shown it by Mr. Warde Fowler; and in July, 

 1893, in company with Mr. Fowler, I both saw aud heard several of these 

 birds in Switzerland, and found one nest [cf. Zool. 1893, p. 308). This 

 year I have found a pair of Marsh Warblers and their nest near Bath. 

 The nest which was found on June 19th in an osier-bed contained two 



