NOTES AND QUERIES. Ill 



Those kept in captivity seemed hardly to change their position while I 

 had them, and all died hanging to the rock which was tied to the top 

 of their box. It is strange that in four outings in search of Bats 

 I should have found six of this one species, which is nowhere con- 

 sidered common, without finding one of either of the reputed common 

 species ; and it probably points to the conclusion that — at any rate in 

 this district — the Lesser Horseshoe Bat is not so uncommon as is 

 generally supposed, for the fact that five males were found to only one 

 female would lead one to suppose that several were overlooked, unless 

 the proportion of males to females is very great. — Edwin Hollis 

 (Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter). 



AVES. 



Fieldfare and Redwings in London. — On Feb. 7th last I saw a 

 Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) in Hyde Park. The following day it was 

 still in the same place — among some shrubs near the band -stand, and 

 several Redwings (T. iliacus) were there also looking for food. I do not 

 think either of these are common visitors to London. — Flora Russell 

 (2, Audley Square, London). 



Smew and Mergansers at Yarmouth. — On Jan. 30th last a fine 

 adult male Smew (Mergus albellus) was shot on Breydon. It is now 

 fourteen years since the last old male was killed, which was shot on 

 Breydon Broad, January 10th, 1893. This I purchased in the flesh 

 (cf. Patterson's 'Nature in Eastern Norfolk,' p. 198), and, strange to 

 say, both these birds were shot by the same gunner, Mr. F. Clarke. 

 These birds are mostly met with during severe winters, like the present 

 one, but then only sparingly. The sharp contrast in the male plumage 

 makes it very conspicuous, while it is one of the most handsome, and 

 also the smallest of the genus ; but young birds are more often observed, 

 and two were killed three days previously. A male Red-breasted 

 Merganser (Mergns serrator) has also been shot in the neighbourhood, 

 together with several immature Goosanders (M. merganser). — B. Dye 

 (Row 60, No. 10, Great Yarmouth). 



Eared Grebe in Belfast Lough. — I had the pleasure of examining, 

 on Feb. 28th, a fine specimen of the Eared Grebe [Podicipes nigricollts), 

 which was shot on the 28th by R. H. Leeke, Esq., of the Rifle Brigade, 

 now stationed at Holywood, who brought it to Messrs. Sheals, of Cor- 

 poration Street, Belfast, for preservation, where I saw it in process of 

 setting up. It proved on dissection to be a male. This specimen was 

 coming into summer plumage, the ear-tufts being well developed, and 



