272 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the above nest. Being now at work during my spare time in preparing a 

 History of the Birds of Kent, I should like to hear from any reader of 

 'The Zoologist' who knows of a previous instance, or would be kind 

 enough to furnish me with any information regarding the occurrence of 

 rare birds, the distribution of local species during the breeding season, 

 winter visitors, or the whereabouts of private collections ; all such informa- 

 tion will be gratefully acknowledged. — N. F. Tjcehurst (Guy's Hospitul, 

 London, S.E.). « 



An Unfortunate Cuckoo. — My attention has recently been directed to 

 a dead Cuckoo found on a moor near here, which must have met its end 

 under somewhat peculiar circumstances — I might say melancholy circum- 

 stances — when we consider the long flight which this bird must have taken 

 a short time before it was destroyed. The enemies which may have 

 attacked it in an unwary moment — as it was found beside a small water- 

 course, where it may have been either drinking, bathing, or otherwise 

 occupying its time— are Stoats, Weasels, Dogs, and Cats; or, among birds, 

 the Merlin, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, and Hooded Crow, of which the first is 

 rare in this neighbourhood. But there were no signs of picked-out eyes, 

 blood-sucking about the neck, or anything that would indicate an attack by 

 any of the above-mentioned animals. The parts eaten away when I saw 

 it were indicative of Rooks, who had fallen upon it after death; and we may 

 suppose from other appearances that it had been perhaps killed in battle, 

 either between one or more of its own kind or with some other bird, as 

 there were feathers, apparently plucked, lying at three places in the vicinity 

 where the dead bird was found, while its neck was practically cleared of 

 feathers in some parts, without indication of cuts. I have seen these birds 

 somewhat pugnacious about the time they arrive, as well as during their 

 stay here, and it is possible that there may have been a fight, ending in the 

 death of oue of them. In the vicinity there was a Ring Ouzel's nest, and 

 it is a question whether it would be possible for a Cuckoo to tamper with 

 one of these Thrushes with the view of depositing an egg in its nest. The 

 other birds in the neighbourhood which could have fought would consist of 

 Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Curlews, Grouse, Partridges, Wood-Pigeons, or 

 Rooks. The last mentioned sometimes have great fights with Hawks, aud 

 if the Cuckoo possesses the boldness of the Hawk it might enter into 

 a disadvantageous conflict with one or other of these birds. — Wm. Wilson 

 (Alford, Aberdeen, N.B.). 



[I found a dead Cuckoo several years ago among some trees near 

 Purley, Surrey, and ascribed its death to contact with some tall wire- 

 fencing (?). It was in such perfect condition that it was set up, and is still 

 in my possession. Good authorities— Bowdler Sharpe, Jefferies, amongst 



