312 THE ZOOLOGIST 
NOTES AND) QULRTES: 
AVES. 
Irregular Appearance of Blackbird.—For the last three years a 
Blackbird (Turdus merula) with a white head has visited my garden 
at curiously regular intervals. From careful observations I am con- 
vinced he is the same individual. He always turns up about the ~ 
middle of July; this year he appeared on the 19th. He only stays a 
few days, and then disappears till October, when he repeats the visit 
and remains till the beginning of November. After that I see no 
more of him till the following July. I never see or hear of him any- 
where else in this neighbourhood. I read in the papers recently that 
a similar bird had been seen in Merionethshire, and possibly it may 
be the same, as judging from the time between his visits he must 
make a wide circuit. I have always considered Blackbirds to be rather 
domestic in their habits, but this particular member of the tribe is 
evidently a confirmed rambler. — R. H. RamssotHam (Elmhurst, 
Garstang). 
An Early Flock of Starlings —On June 21st, while rambling in 
Richmond Park, I saw a flock of about one hundred Starlings (Stwrnws 
vulgaris) near the Roehampton gate. Is not this an early date for 
them to congregate ? I have looked up Sharpe and Newton, but do 
not see any mention of earlier date than autumn, and was not aware 
of them doing so myself. — Frank A. Arnoxtp (139, Hamilton Road, 
West Norwood). 
Hoopoe in Northamptonshire. — A Hoopoe was shot in South 
Northamptonshire, not many miles from Brackley, in the first week 
of May, 1908.—O. V. Aprin (Bloxham, Oxon). 
Pallas’s Sand-Grouse in Yorkshire.—During the first week of June 
three Sand-Grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus) were observed in a field of 
young corn in the eastern portion of Cleveland. Shortly afterwards 
one of them was picked up dead, and I have had an opportunity of 
examining this specimen, finding it to be a male in excellent plumage. 
The other two birds were seen at intervals until the middle of June, 
when they both disappeared.—T. H. Neuson (Seatield, Redcar). 
