NOTES AND QUERIES. 39 



is dealt with. Prof. Newton, in his ■ Dictionary,' writes : — " The inner 

 side of the nail of the third toe is often serrated like a fine comb, as in 

 Cormorants, Herons (including Scopus), Ibis, Dromas, Cursorius, Glareola, 

 also in many Nightjars." Dr. Bowdler Sharpe (* Handb. Birds Great Britain ') 

 has also referred to the combed or pectiuated claw of the Heron, like the 

 claw of the Barn-Owl or of the Nightjar. This ornithologist (ibid. vol. ii. 

 p. 49) has discussed the use of this serration. He writes : — " Another 

 puzzling character found in the Nightjar is the pectinated claw on the 

 middle toe, and it is extremely difficult to imagine the use of this comb- 

 iike appendage. It has been suggested that it is of use to the bird in 

 retaining a firm hold on the bark of the trees, when it sits along a bough. 

 Another use for the comb has been suggested in the cleaning of the long 

 rictal bristles from the debris of the moths and beetles on which the bird 

 feeds. Dr. Giinther, who had some young Nightjars for some time in con- 

 finement, tells me that the only use which he found the birds to make of 

 this pectinated claw was to scratch the surface of a chair or sofa on which 

 they were sitting. Thus it may be a useful appendage in scratching or 

 distributing the earth for the purpose of seeking its food." Seebohm 

 (' Brit. Birds ') refers to the same or similar theories. — Ed.] 



Bewick's Swan in the Moy Estuary. — On Dec 12th, 1899, a herd of 

 twenty Bewick's Swans {Cygnus bewicki) visited the estuary, and rested for 

 some hours on the Bartragh sands, opposite Moyne Abbey. One fine bird 

 was secured ; it measured 3 ft. 9 in. in length from tip of bill to end of tail- 

 feathers, and weighed 14 lbs. All the birds appeared to be adult, for there 

 were no grey-plurnaged individuals amongst them. — Robert Warren 

 (Moy view, Ballina). 



Black-game in Suffolk. — Referring to my note under this heading in 

 ' The Zoologist ' (1899, p. 557), I have just received a letter from J. D. 

 Cobbold, Esq., Holy Wells, Ipswich, stating that he had lately turned 

 down about twenty of these birds (Tetrao tetrix) on the heath to the east of 

 Ipswich as an experiment. There is no doubt therefore that the young 

 Blackcock shot on the Cliff Farm was one of them, and it is to be hoped 

 now that the facts of the case are known that the remainder of these grand 

 birds will be left unmolested until they have become thoroughly established 

 in the district. — E. A. Butler (Plumton House, Bury St. Edmunds). 



For many years Mr. Mackenzie has turned down large numbers of 

 Black-game on his estate near Thetford. They have been known to breed, 

 but do not increase. Possibly the bird mentioned by Col. Butler came 

 from this estate. It may interest your readers to know that the same 

 gentleman has turned Capercaillie on his property near Inverness, and 

 that they are doing well. — Heatley Noble (Temple Combe. Henley-on- 

 Thames). 



