388 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



how often Humble-bees, &c, are impaled upon thorns near the nesting- 

 place of this species, which I was not aware was in the habit of 

 making such wholesale slaughter amongst the inhabitants of the hive. 

 In speaking of the Hive Bee (Apis mellifica), it may be noted that 

 many complaints have been made from several quarters during the 

 past summer of the ravages caused by insect enemies ; in some cases 

 the whole contents of the hive having been destroyed by what I 

 suppose were larvae of one of the Wax Moths {Galleria mellonella)^ as 

 I had several of the white cocoous — empty — of that species sent me as 

 the cause of the depredations, although I believe one or two of those 

 who sent them had very little idea that the moths they saw about the 

 hives were the parents of the grubs that worked the destruction. — 

 G. B. Corbin (Ringwood). 



Late Stay of Swift. — Whilst passing close by Bosham Station, 

 near Chichester, on the morning of Sept. 26th, I saw a Swift flying 

 in company with some Swallows and Martins. This instance, though 

 so much earlier than the last I wrote to you about (Zool. 1898, p. 485), 

 is perhaps worthy of note. The Swifts do not, as a rule, seem to linger 

 like the Swallow tribe, but generally all disappear from this locality 

 about the middle of August. — H. Marmaduke Langdale (Compton 

 House, Compton, Petersfield). 



On Sept. 17th, at St. Andrews, I saw a Swift hawking over some 

 houses, and I watched it for some time from our garden ; next day it 

 had disappeared, though I kept a good look-out. The day was warm 

 and quiet. This is by far the latest date that I have any record of in 

 that part of Scotland. On Sept. 18th, while playing golf on the New 

 Course there, I noticed a pair of Wheatears, and they were still there 

 on Sept. 23rd. I have not my notes by me, but I do not remember 

 seeing this bird there so late in the year. — A. H. Meiklejohn (1, Colville 

 Houses, London, W.). 



Notes from Hunstanton, Norfolk. — While spending a short holiday 

 at Hunstanton, I devoted some little time to observing the Swifts, 

 many of which breed in the crevices of the cliffs, and perhaps one or 

 two pairs in houses also. Up to Sept. 12th inclusive, some Swifts 

 were to be seen almost every day, and one could feel pretty sure of 

 being able to find them at the south end of the town just before sunset. 

 I have notes of "quite eight or ten Swifts" on the 10th, and of 

 "several Swifts" on the 11th and 12th. Not one could be seen on 

 the following day, which was cold and cheerless, and the wind, which 

 had for some days been southerly, went round to the north-west. The 



