192 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



hanging rock had fallen and swept the nest with it to the ground. The 

 poor birds, thus frustrated in their task by nature, are evidently not 

 going to risk the same site again, as I have not heard of them being 

 seen in the district since. I was fortunate in securing the accompany- 

 ing photo of the nest. — W. C. Wright (Charlevoix, Marlborough 

 Park, Belfast). 



[We have received the very interesting photograph of this nest. — Ed.] 



Carrion-Crow (Corvus corone) in the Irish Channel. — On March 

 31st, as I was crossing the Irish Channel from Dublin to Holyhead, I 

 noticed a Carrion-Crow (Corvus corone) following astern of the steamer. 

 When I first saw the bird we were still about twenty-five miles off the 

 South Stack headland. It appeared to fly away from a large flock of 

 clamorous Herring-Gulls which were greedily feeding on floating 

 refuse. Whether the Crow was attracted seaward from the Holyhead 

 district, where it is not uncommon, for the purpose of procuring food 

 or not, it is hard to say. It leisurely followed the boat, being strong 

 and buoyant on the wing ; nor had it the appearance of a bird anxiously 

 heading for its destination, overcome by migratory fatigue. In the 

 distance I might have mistaken this bird for a Eook (Corvus frugilegus), 

 but when it came several times quite close to the deck where I was 

 standing, I could see by its characteristic flight and heavier build that 

 it was undoubtedly a true Corvus corone. I may mention, in passing, 

 that I am well acquainted with the flight of the Carrion-Crow, having 

 often seen this species on previous occasions in different parts of 

 England and Wales. When we came within three miles of Holyhead 

 the Crow (which up till then had followed the vessel somewhat closely) 

 left us, and steered for the land below the South Stack lighthouse. I 

 watched it until it ultimately disappeared among the shadows of the 

 cliffs. Although common in parts of England and Wales, the Carrion- 

 Crow is extremely rare in Ireland, and it seems a curious fact that a 

 few wanderers have not occasionally ventured across the Channel. 

 This they may have done oftener than we think, as the Carrion-Crow 

 is easily overlooked and confounded with the Rook. — Charles J. 

 Patten (9, Summerfield, Broomhill, Sheffield). 



Early Nesting of the Shag (Phalacrocorax graculus). — I was much 

 interested in Mr. Raeburn's remarks on the nesting of the Shag (ante, 

 p. 153). My experience with this species in the breeding season is 

 very limited, but the following note will lend some support to the theory 

 that the Shag is an early breeder : — In 1898 I was staying in Sarkfrom 

 March 22nd to 30th (cf. Zool. 1898, p. 274), and by the time I arrived 

 the Shags, which are rather numerous on the island, had built their 



