226 tHE ZOOLOGIST. 



their first autumn. I showed "No. 1 " to Prof. Giglioli at Florence, and 

 he expressed this view ; but still this specimen and " No. 6 " both show 

 plenty of yellow, and Mr. Saunders, in his * Manual ' (p. 170), states that 

 " the young in their first autumn exhibit hardly any yellow tint." Various 

 other points arise as to birds like " No. 4," which retain the clear yellow 

 forehead. Is this latter an abnormal phase, dependent on age or some other 

 condition? Or does "No. 4 " represent a normal state of plumage? and, 

 if so, when do the birds acquire it, and through what stages do they pass in 

 attaining it? — A. Holte Macpherson (51, Gloucester Place, Hyde 

 Park, W.). 



Nesting of the ChiffchafF. — I was much interested in reading the note 

 on this subject by Mr. Backhouse (p. 150), and perhaps a similar instance 

 may be worth recording. In June, 1886, there was a nest of this species 

 in the grounds of the College of Agriculture, Downton, Salisbury, built in 

 a yew tree near the extremity of a branch, and more than six feet from the 

 ground. The domed nest was composed of dried grass, dead leaves, and 

 moss, with a lining of feathers, and contained young birds. I frequently 

 heard the note of the old bird, and when J was examining the nest the 

 owner of it came very close to me. — Charles F. Archibald (Rusland Hall, 

 Ulverston). 



Woodcocks breeding in Worcestershire. — Hearing of Woodcocks 

 breeding in one part of this county I paid the keepers a visit, one of whom 

 had found a nest about April 16th. We went in search of it, and found 

 that it contained four eggs. The old bird was sitting very close, and 

 allowed us to stand watching her within a few feet, her wings trailing, tail 

 erect, head set back with beak pointing downwards — an object not easily 

 distinguished from the dead leaves and stumps around. The eggs were in 

 course of hatching, and were laid — as in most cases — on the sunny side of 

 the wood. Being referred to another man who had found a nest, we went 

 to see that also. The bird had hatched off a few days previously, and the 

 shells were lying around the spot. At night the number of Woodcocks in 

 this locality might be estimated, as they fly overhead " roding " constantly. 

 From one spot I counted seven, and this I believe is not unusual. The 

 keepers assert that they are scarcer this year than last. — J. Steele Elliott 

 (Park Road, Sutton Coldfield). 



The Motions of Divers on Land. — It is generally stated aud believed 

 that the Divers are unable to walk on land. This is not quite correct. A 

 lew weeks ago I watched a Red-throated Diver, which was swimming in a 

 tidal pool, walk deliberately out of the water, evidently with the intention 

 of crossing a narrow spit of sand to the main channel of the estuary. It 

 walked perfectly upright on its feet, in the same position as a Cormorant ; 

 but after progressing three or four vards it caught sight of me, and imrae* 





