NOTES AND QUERIES. 267 



uncertain in their appearance, arising no doubt from the changing and 

 unseasonable weather we have experienced. For the most part all 

 were late in coming, some as much as a fortnight behind the usual 

 date of arrival, and of several species the numbers were much below 

 the average. The Spotted Flycatcher, the Nightingale, and other 

 Warblers seem normally represented, but the Corn- Crake has scarcely 

 been heard at all, and, as far as I can learn, the Hobby is entirely 

 absent ; whilst the Cuckoo, Nightjar, Yellow Wagtail, and others are 

 certainly not so abundant as they are some seasons, and the Swallow 

 tribe are decidedly scarce compared with former years, the continued 

 chilly atmosphere causing most of them to flutter about in a semi- 

 dazed and benumbed manner. The most abundant appear to be the 

 Swifts, of which there are more than I ever remember seeing ; they 

 literally swarm in sheltered situations, hundreds of them being on the 

 wing at the same time. Is it possible the migration further north was 

 hindered by the cold winds prevailing at the time of their arrival, and 

 that consequently we in the south have a double or triple share ? It 

 is quite evident not one-tenth of the number nest in the neighbourhood, 

 and I am informed the birds are equally abundant in East Dorset. If 

 the poor birds have the power of recollection — which from personal 

 observation I have every reason to suppose they possess — this cold 

 season must have deceived their best anticipations, for in the evenings, 

 instead of their joyous, happy squeal as they dash in winged ecstasy 

 near their nesting-places in the old thatched gable, we see their ebon, 

 cross-like forms against the grey sky as in silent pendulizing flight they 

 glide to and fro in the rain ; and, as the night approaches, there is 

 none of their well-known soaring, with screaming lay, into the space 

 where "daylight dies," but they cling in clusters about any tall 

 building, and not a few perish. This clustering habit is very peculiar, 

 some of the festoons thus formed being from eighteen inches to two feet 

 in length, sometimes the outer and more benumbed individuals drop- 

 ping down from the general mass. The appearance reminded one 

 somewhat of the habit of the Hive-bee (Apis mellifica) when wax-forming. 

 Since the finer weather the Swifts are much more dispersed. It would 

 be interesting to know if they have gone further north. — G. B. Cokbin 

 (Eingwood). 



Note on the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). — Some time ago a game- 

 keeper brought me a Hawk, of the name of which he professed to be 

 ignorant, possibly with an idea that the value of the bird would be in- 

 creased thereby. It was one of the best plumaged male Kestrels I had 

 ever seen, both in colour and feather, the usual ash-grey of head and 



