348 THE ZOOLOGIST 



Egg-depositing by Cuckoo. — I am glad to see a note on above 

 subject from Mr. W. Wilson, for previously we "Bradford Nats," who 

 have taken a great interest in this subject, somehow got the impression 

 that the Twite (Linota flavirostris) was the favoured (!) foster-parent 

 in Aberdeen. Mr. Wilson asks for information of the breeding of the 

 Twite farther south. I might state that here we have the Twite as a 

 breeding species on many of our moors, and we wondered how it was 

 that the Cuckoo did not select them as in other districts. If you strike 

 a moor with the Twite breeding thereon, you are certain to find a 

 goodly number within a few hundred yards ; hence we expect to find 

 them in little colonies. Although I have found many nests of this 

 species, I have never seen a Cuckoo's egg in one ; last year (1904) we 

 received a report of one by a younger brother of Mr. Euskin Butter- 

 field, but we failed to locate it. Here the Meadow-Pipit (Anthus 

 pratensis) is almost the only bird selected as the victim for the Cuckoo's 

 ill-mannered youngster's early welfare, although in 1899 I found a 

 Cuckoo's egg in tbe nest of a Pied Wagtail (Motacilla lugubris), which 

 seems to be about the exception to the rule. The Twite's full clutch 

 in early spring is usually six. On May 20th of this year I had the 

 pleasure of the company of Mr. Forrest (of Shrewsbury) on a visit 

 to a little colony of Twites breeding within half an hour's walk of 

 where I live, and he will be able to substantiate what I say, that 

 Twites breed in goodly numbers near here, and that we have every 

 opportunity of studying them. — W. H. Pabkin (Studholme, Shipley, 

 Yorks). 



Dunlin (Tringa alpina) in Surrey. — On Sept. 3rd I visited Frensham 

 Pond, on the borders of Surrey and Hampshire. I was very pleased 

 to see two Dunlins on the north side of the pond ; they were very tame, 

 allowing an approach of six or seven feet. Having plenty of time to 

 spare, I watched them for a considerable time. Once or twice I 

 approached too near, when, uttering their note "purre," they flew 

 twenty or thirty yards farther up the side of the pond, and quietly 

 settled down to feed. They very often were knee-deep in the water, 

 and sometimes when the water came up higher than usual, there being 

 a strong wind, they would fly up and retire a little way on to the sand, 

 only to run forward again and repeat the performance. Both birds 

 were in good condition, and seemed quite at home with their surround- 

 ings. I might also mention that the Great Crested Grebes (Podicipes 

 cristatus) have bred last year, and again this, and at the time of writing 

 have five young ones, which are nearly as large as their parents. — 

 L. B. Mouritz (6, Esmond Eoad, Bedford Park, W.). 



