NOTES AND QUERIES. 473 



two eggs which I felt certain were those of the Marsh -Warbler [Acro- 

 cephalus palustris). Subsequently, Mr. H. W. Marsden, of Clifton, was 

 kind enough to confirm my opinion when I forwarded him the speci- 

 mens, which my friend allowed me to keep. Being questioned as to 

 how he came by them, he stated that he found the nest about two or 

 three feet from the ground in a dense bed of nettles not far away from 

 water. I do not think he observed the bird, being unaware of the 

 rarity he had discovered. The nest contained five eggs, two of which 

 he looted. My friend said he thought they were " rather handsome 

 Blackcaps " ! The same gentleman found two other nests in the locality 

 containing young birds, which he believes to have also been Marsh- 

 Warblers' nests. I refrain from giving the exact locality of this rare 

 bird's breeding haunt, in order that it may not be exterminated by 

 ruthless persecution. — Charles B. Horsbrugh (Martock, Somerset- 

 shire). 



Waxwing at Scarborough. — On Nov. 23rd I saw a Waxwing 

 {Ampelis ganulus) feeding on the haws of a thorn-hedge near Oliver's 

 Mount, Scarborough. The bird was very tame, and allowed me to 

 watch it for some time. The berries on which it was feeding were 

 swallowed whole, and, from the rapidity with which it ate, it must 

 have been very hungry. Owing to the absence of a black throat, I 

 judged it to be a bird of the year. The easterly gales of the previous 

 week had no doubt something to do with its presence in this country. 

 A .H. Meiklejohn (20, Queen's Square, London). 



Notes on the Swift and the Number of Days taken in Incubation. 

 In some notes on this bird (Zool. 1900, pp. 479-81) I was unable in 

 that year to give the exact number of days taken in the incubation of 

 the eggs, owing to my absence from home during several days whilst 

 the birds were in course of observation. During the present year I 

 was similarly unfortunate, the eggs having been laid some days earlier 

 than last year. This necessitated the robbing of the first laying. 



April 20th. — First Swift observed flying over Wyre Forest, Bewdley ; 

 remarkably early. 



June 2nd. — Two eggs taken from the nest in the roof of my house 

 at Clent. 



June 10th (7 a.m.). — Nest still remains empty. 



June 11th (7 p.m.). — One egg in nest ; both birds in nesting-hole, 

 but I do not think incubation has actually started. 



June 12th (7.15 a.m.). — One egg only in nest, and one of the birds 

 in the nesting-hole. 



^ooi. ith ser. vol. V., December', 1901. 2 o 



