5832 Birds. 



previously in the same year a bird had been shot at this spot, which was found to be a 

 female with eggs inside. The nest was not observed until after the shot was 

 fired. At the second visit, on the 28th of May, there were two eggs in the nest, and 

 again a bird was shot, which turned out to be a new female with a fully-formed egg 

 inside, through which the bullet had passed. The skin is now in England. The birds 

 seemed on both occasions remarkably fearless. The eggs are smoother, and, as might 

 be expected, considerably smaller than those of the eagle owl. The dimensions of the 

 two in the last-mentioned nest are 2 in. X 1*6 in. and 2*1 in. X 1*65 in. At the 

 meeting of Scandinavian naturalists in Christiania last summer, before I heard of 

 these two nests having been found, I was able to announce that the Lap owl generally 

 makes its nest on the top of a stump. I had received several reliable accounts from 

 different woodsmen, but had never found a nest myself, or been able to get the eggs, 

 which indeed have, I believe, hitherto been unknown to ornithologists. It appears 

 that three is the ordinary number of eggs. Tengmalm's owl lays its eggs in holes of 

 trees and occasionally in egg-boxes. When once established it cannot easily be made 

 to leave its quarters, and it can, as it is said, keep possession against a much larger 

 bird ; yet from the present nest (the only one I have had the good fortune to meet 

 with), after having laid four eggs, the mother was ejected by a golden eye. The 

 dimensions of the egg accompanying this paper are 1*32 in. X 1*5 in. — John Wolley ; 

 Muoniovara, February 2, 1857. 



Occurrence of the Rosecoloured Pastor (Pastor roseus) in Scotland. — The rose- 

 coloured pastor has again made its appearance in our neighbourhood, a young male 

 having been killed here three weeks ago. Owing to his youth, he wanted a great deal 

 of that beauty which distinguishes the adult male. — Thomas Edward ; Banff, Sep- 

 tember 18, 1857. [Several other specimens have been recorded in the newspapers as 

 having been shot or seen in their southward passage at the beginning of September. 

 — E. N.-] 



Occurrence of the Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) at Scilly. — The same packet 

 which brought over the brown snipe brought also another bird new to Cornwall in the 

 lesser whitethroat, which T have just examined. It appears to be an adult bird, and 

 it is the first example that has come to ray knowledge as having occurred in any 

 of the western counties. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, October, 1857. 



Note on the Nidification of the Swallow (Hirundo rustica). — I have seen at Pem- 

 bury the nest of the swallow under the eaves of a house. Unlike that of the martin 

 {Hirundo urbica), the nest was not attached or closed at the top, but supported under- 

 neath by the bend of a zinc water-spout. — J. Jenner Weir ; 6, Haddo Villas, Black- 

 heath, S.E., October, 1857. 



The Land Rail (Gallinula crex) in Scilly. — Amongst other well-known migratory 

 birds that have appeared in large numbers at Scilly during the last few days was the 

 land rail. A friend writes me that he bagged in one day eight couple, and killed one 

 couple besides ; and that nearly every tuft of long grass in the swamps and morasses 

 were safe in holding two. They mostly appeared in pairs. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; 

 October, 1857. 



Occurrence of Temminck's Stint (Tringa Temminckii) at Scilly. — Mr. Pechell has 

 observed several of these diminutive stints at Scilly, and he writes me word that he 

 shot two this week. — Id. 



Occurrence of the Brown Snipe (Scolopax grisea) at Scilly. — I have just examined 

 a very interesting specimen ef the above rare bird, in immature plumage, killed among 



