5592 Birds. 



Occurrence of the Harvest Mouse (Mus messorius) in Cornwall. — Neither Mr. Bell 

 nor Mr. Jenyns record the harvest mouse as having been found in Cornwall : it is 

 found in this neighbourhood, and I yesterday caught one from a corn mow : it was 

 very active, and showed no symptoms of torpidity. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, 

 February 21, 1857. 



Note on Parus major. — I have often observed tora-tits tapping, as noticed by 

 Captain Hadfield (Zool. 5426). They are not like the woodpecker when thus 

 engaged bringing to the surface insect-food, but they are actually cracking nuts, 

 which is a much more difficult proceeding. The stone of a haw-berry or some other 

 small fruit is carried by Tommy into the tree, and being fixed in some convenient 

 niche, he brings down upon it the full weight of his sharp beak in repeated taps until 

 he breaks the shell and gets at the kernel. Any day in autumn he may be found 

 thus occupied ; I have often observed the whole process, and some years ago sent an 

 account of it to the 'Gardener's Chronicle.'— C. R. Bree ; Stricklands, Sloivmarket. 



Occurrence of the Tree Sparroiv in Devonshire. — A few days siuce, when 

 examining a lot of small birds exposed for sale in the Plymouth Market, I was much 

 pleased to find among them two specimens of the tree sparrow (Fringllla montana), 

 never having before observed the species in Devon. I ascertained that they were 

 killed among other small birds on a farm in the neighbourhood. — John Gatcombe ; 

 Wyndham Place, Plymouth, March 28, 1857. 



Note on the Black Redstart. — In some remarks on the black redstart (Sylvia 

 tithys), in the 'Zoologist' (Zool. 5426), Mr. E. H. Rodd seems to suppose that the 

 gray margins disappear from the feathers of an adult male in summer plumage. 

 During the time I have spent in Germany, I have had numerous opportunities of 

 examining specimens of this pretty bird, and although in some examples the gray 

 margins were much less strongly defined than in others, in no instance were they 

 altogether wanting. I quite agree with Mr. Rodd in believing that Sylvia tithys 

 exhibits very closely the connexion between the Saxicolse and Sylviadae : a link still 

 more conspicuous, however, is found in the bluethroated warbler (Sylvia suecica). — 

 Henry Smurthwaite ; 8, Rossplatz, Leipzic, February 7, 1857. 



PS. In my notice of the wagtails (Zool. 5425), for " Reudendorf," read "Ren- 

 dendorf," and for " Elsher," read " Elster."— H. S. 



Occurrence of the Blackcap Warbler, throughout the Winter Months, near 

 Penzance. — The blackcap warbler has remained with us, in sheltered valleys near 

 by, all the winter: two days ago it was seen in full activity, searching for food, 

 but without music. — Edward Hearle Rodd; Penzance, February 21, 1857. 



Change of Plumage in Molacilla alba. — In reply to Mr. Carter's query with 



respect to the change of plumage in M. alba during the winter season (Zool. ), 



I may observe that in the female such a change does take place, and in a very 

 decided degree: the whole plumage is at that time considerably lighter in colour, and 

 the rich black which, in the breeding season, covers the upper part of the breast and 

 throat, is in winter much diminished, both in extent and depth of hue, assuming then 

 the form of a crescent, the outer feathers of which are of a dull gray. With regard to 

 the male bird, I am not enabled to speak with certainty, but have no doubt that some 

 change takes place in its plumage also. — Henry Smurthwaite ; 8, Rossplatz, Leipzic, 

 March 17, 1857. 



