240 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



here, but we find old kettles, water-cans, &c, possess the same attractions 

 for this species that boxes have for the Tits and Nuthatches. Several of 

 our nesting-boxes have had the entrance-holes enlarged by Starlings, which 

 seem to be able to peck away the wood from an old weather-beaten box 

 without difficulty. This year, for the first time, we have had an old cask 

 occupied by a pair of Tawny Owls, which had on March 27th four eggs laid 

 on the remains of a Starling's nest. — Julian G. Tuck (Tostock Rectory, 

 Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk). 



AVICULTUEAL NOTES. 



Cormorant in Captivity. — The historic Cormorant of Montagu has 

 made interesting reading for generations. The following notes on one, 

 " Joev," now in mv possession, may not record anything so striking as the 

 tameness and intelligence displayed by that naturalist's bird, but my example 

 has been nevertheless interesting. He was brought to me from sea by a 

 smacksman on March 22nd. After incarceration in an old hamper for some 

 days, the bird exhibited his delight on being turned into a netted enclosure 

 by mounting the rockwork, and immediately putting his plumage into shape 

 bv shaking his wings, and by the use of his mandibles. In two days he 

 learnt to recognize his fish-basket, and had already, after a day's fasting, 

 become adroit at catching the fish and fish-heads thrown to him. On 

 March 28th, after receiving five Whitings, the last leaving its tail out of the 

 corner of his mouth, he in a hour's time made room for two more. On April 

 18th, for his breakfast, he devoured three good-sized Whitings, one Vivi- 

 parous Blenny, one Herring, one Flounder. Not yet satisfied, he accepted 

 an 18 in. Conger-Eel. This vanished, save for three or four inches of the 

 tail-end, which greatly annoyed him by refusing to be drawn or shaken 

 down ; at length, by flapping his wings and stretching his body to the 

 utmost, it was lost sight of. Five minutes afterwards he seized a Flounder, 

 and made room for it. The bird has not attempted to drink or even look 

 at water, although, after feeding and a short nap, he anoints his plumage 

 by a free manipulation of the oil-glands. After swallowing fish, drops of 

 water drip from his mandibles. It is seldom that undigested bones are cast 

 up, these few being usually those of large Plaice-heads that have been 

 chopped in order to reduce them to a convenient size for swallowing. The 

 bird has become tame, and salutes me with curious trumpeting notes, 

 accompanying them with a profound salaam ; and, although he allows me 

 to stroke his back with a stick or brush, is ever on the alert to seize a finger 

 if possible. — A. Patterson (Ibis House, Great Yarmouth). 



