NOTES AND QUERIES. 363 



of the cable between Morocco and the Peninsula. Out of twenty-four 

 pigeons released at Ceuta, twenty-three arrived at Malaga in excellent 

 condition, in spite of having travelled something like seventy-five miles 

 between the two stations. 



Willow Warbler in London. — Whilst staying in London for a few 

 days at Kensington I heard, on the morning of August 13th, the sweet 

 song of the Willow Warbler from the adjoining street. I thought, "Is it 

 possible that anyone can keep a Willow Warbler in a cage? " but when the 

 song was repeated I ran to the hall-door, and then saw the little songster 

 flitting rapidly away in the direction of High Street, one of the most 

 bustling and crowded streets in the West End. The bird had evidently 

 rested for a few moments in one or two little trees in Allen Street, and was 

 then probably on its way to Holland Park, which was not very far off. 

 I have never met with this pretty warbler even in a village street before. — 

 Charles W. Benson (Rathmines School, Dublin). 



[Ornithologists in London are quite accustomed to the appearance of 

 the Willow Wren, Chiffchaff, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, and many 

 other summer migratary birds at the period of their migration in spring 

 and autumn. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and the Botanical Gardens, 

 Regent's Park, are regularly visited by Willow Wrens. — Ed.] 



Note on the Black-headed Gull. — I was walking along the shore from 

 Queensferry to Cramond, on August 20th, in search of plants, and at the 

 same time keeping a look-out for birds. Near Cramond I halted to watch 

 the sea-birds that were feeding on the extensive stretch of sand and shallow 

 left exposed by the retreating tide. I heard a peculiar noise as of trickling 

 water, but could not at first make out whence it proceeded ; after awhile, 

 however, I noticed that it came from a gull that was busy in a shallow pool 

 not far from the land. This bird — a Black-headed Gull, though without the 

 black head now — would walk one or two steps, halt and get into position, 

 then, crouching somewhat, it would balance itself on its right leg, and with 

 the other beat the water continuously, or sometimes it would use both feet 

 in the performance and go through a sort of rude dance. Its object was 

 apparent, as it always followed up its jumping manoeuvres by seizing such 

 creatures as it had managed to dislodge. This was an excellent plan for the 

 bird to adopt, as thereby it was enabled to procure a plentiful food-supply 

 within a short area, whilst other birds were walking about cautiously over 

 the sand, and covering a much greater extent of ground to get the same 

 amount of food as this gull, by a judicious expedient, was getting within the 

 narrow limits of a single pool. — Robert Godfrey (46, Cumberland Street, 

 Edinburgh). 



Nesting Habits and Food Of the Long-eared Owl.— I have examined 

 a good many nests of the Long»eared Owl, Otus vulgaris. I have seen them 



