450 Birds, 



munication; one at Perran, in March or the beginning of April, 1843, which I fan- 

 cied, at the time, was just getting its black nuptial dress ; and two (two, I believe, or 

 if one, it had flown to a widely different spot in a short time) at Hayle, on the 28th of 

 November last, both plain birds. None of them were secured. Now it seems odd if 

 this bird does retain its black plumage in the winter, that no adult birds among others 

 should have been noticed here at that period. I would also remark that lam surprised 

 at the reed bunting (Emberiza Schceniculus) being brought forward as an instance of 

 a bird which retains its black garb in the winter: as far as my own observation ex- 

 tends, a bird of this species is not to be obtained with a black head in winter, and a 

 male killed at that period is not so dark about the head as a female killed in the breed- 

 ing season. — Alfred Greenwood ; Penzance, December 21, 1843. 



Notes on the Dipper. Almost the only songsters which in this district enliven the 

 winter's day, are the robin and the dipper ; but at times the lively trill of the bustling 

 little wren, or the harsh but not unpleasing voice of the missel thrush, are also to be 

 heard. In the spring and summer months the dipper is comparatively silent, and in- 

 deed I have never observed that it sings during those periods ; but towards the end of 

 autumn a sudden impulse seems to seize it, and to cause it to burst forth into song. 

 For some years past I have remarked this habit of the dipper, and have often thought 

 it somewhat singular that at the time when most other birds are mute, it should be, as 

 it were, in full song. The months of November, December and January are those in 

 which its song is principally heard, and severity of weather seems to have no effect in 

 checking or suspending it. Often in the midst of the driving snow-storm have I lis- 

 tened to the sweet notes of the little dipper, and the hardest Irost appears only to in- 

 crease its activity and liveliness, and it sings away as merrily as ever. I have remarked 

 too that it sings principally in the afternoon, and frequently when it is quite dusk. 

 The song of the dipper is a continued inward warble, never very loud, but at times 

 rising higher and becoming more distinct. The bird is generally perched upon a stone 

 at the water's edge, or at the foot of the bank of the river when it is emitted. It is 

 rarely, if ever, seen at any distance from water, and it is consequently only in the vi- 

 cinity of a river or burn that its song is to be heard. It is rather abundant in this 

 district, especially at this season of the year, which seems to be owing to the assem- 

 bling of the summer broods in particular localities. It is never however seen in flocks. 

 In this part of the country it is generally called the water-crow, and in some parts of 

 Scotland the water-pyet. The dipper has been accused of destroying the roe of the 

 salmon and other Salmonidee, but all that I have ever found in its stomach (and I 

 have examined a good many specimens) has been remains of aquatic insects, and in 

 one case a few entire shells resembling those of snails. Macgillivray, in his ' British 

 Birds,' is of opinion that this charge is unfounded. — Archibald Jerdon ; Bonjedward, 

 October 15, 1843. 



Correction of a supposed error in a prior communication on the Blackcap. In the 

 last number of 'The Zoologist,' (Zool. 356), your correspondent, Mr. Hewett, has 

 drawn the attention of naturalists to the winter lingering of the black-cap (Sylvia atri- 

 capilla, Macg.). Nevertheless and notwithstanding the notice you have given of the 

 capture of a fine male of that species of summer warbler in your excellent periodical 

 (Zool. 76), yet I very much doubt its identity with our brumal residents on our open 

 downs, as alluded to by your correspondent. Candour is the soul of Natural His- 

 tory, and therefore the man of the fields, I apprehend, ought ever to be on the alert 

 when recording facts, lest error creep in and mar his work. May I therefore ask Mr. 



