194 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



last, Mr. Harper, Seci'etary of the Bradford Scientific Society, sent me 

 a photograph of a nest which he alleged to be that of a Lesser Redpoll 

 (Linota rufescens), built on the ground amongst bracken. Being un- 

 certain whether the species had been properly identified, I wrote him 

 about the matter, as I surmised it might turn out to be the nest of a 

 Twite, and asked for more details. He, however, remained unshaken 

 in his belief of the accuracy of his observation, intimating his intention 

 of forwarding an egg for determination. The egg was duly received 

 on Feb. 14th, and there can be no doubt but that Mr. Harper was 

 correct in naming it as that of the Lesser Eedpoll ; and he further 

 stated that within a very limited area there were five, if not six, nests, 

 all built on the ground amongst bracken. For obvious reasons it 

 wbuld not be prudent to reveal the exact locality, but within a short 

 distance of the station chosen was a plantation which seemed much 

 more suitable for nesting purposes. In this district I have never met 

 with nests on the ground, and never many nests together, and it only 

 serves to show how species may vary in their habits in different 

 localities. — E. P. Butteefield (Wilsden). 



Ravens Nesting in Co. Antrim. — Whilst exploring a range of 

 precipitous inland cliffs to-day (April 20th) — the exact spot I think it 

 perhaps best, in the interest of ornithology, not to advertise — I came 

 upon the nest of a Baven (Gorvus cor ax), containing four almost fully- 

 fledged young birds. The parent birds kept flying about the cliffs 

 overhead, uttering their loud croaking sound all the time I was in the 

 vicinity of their nest. Aided with a pair of powerful field-glasses, I 

 was able to make a close examination of the nest and the four wide- 

 open mouths clamouring for food, and when one of the parent birds 

 came in sight they all made a scramble to get on to the edge of the 

 nest, two being successful, and afforded me the pleasure of a good view. 

 The nest — an immense structure of sticks almost white with droppings 

 — was placed in a niche in an inaccessible part of the cliff, about 

 thirty feet from the ground. On the mountain-side close by I found a 

 freshly-killed lamb, with its eyes torn out and partly disembowelled, at 

 the sight of which a keeper on the estate, who accompanied me, vowed 

 he would shoot the "vermin." However, after a little persuasion, I 

 got his promise to leave them unmolested, and allow them to finish 

 their business in peace. I was informed by an old resident, it is now 

 over thirty years since Ravens bred in the locality. — W. C. Weight 

 (Charlevoix, Marlborough Park, Belfast). 



Condor laying in Confinement. — A Condor (Sarcorhamphusgryphns), 

 kept at the Natural History Museum, Newcastle-on-Tyne, laid its first 



