184 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The Grouse (Lagopus scoticus) is rarely or never found away 

 from the heather on which it chiefly subsists, so says Newton ; 

 but in severe winters it is not an unfrequent occurrence to see 

 them at quite a considerable distance from the moors. 



It is not at all certain whether the Kestrel is quite such a 

 harmless bird as is to be inferred from Newton's book, though 

 there can be no hesitation in confirmation of the statement that 

 this species is quite the most harmless of all the Accipitres. 



Contrary to the statement of Newton, the Sky-Lark (Alauda 

 arvensis) is much more partial to grassland than cornfields for 

 breeding purposes, and the statement that it rears several broods 

 in a season is open to question. Five eggs is a clutch which 

 must be rare in this part of Yorkshire ; abundant as this bird 

 is — probably the most abundant of British birds— its present 

 status can by no means be assigned to its excessive fecundity. 



The Linnet (Linota cannabina) can scarcely be said to feed 

 largely, if not especially, on seeds of plants growing on heaths 

 and commons, but chiefly on seeds grown in the more cultivated 

 parts of the country, sometimes far away from its breeding 

 haunts, the dandelion seed perhaps being its most common food ; 

 other seeds, such as the plantain, sorrel, knapweed, furnish this 

 bird with a perennial supply throughout the summer months. 



Whether the Twite (L. flavirostris) replaces this species 

 either partly or wholly may be a moot point, but the breeding 

 haunts of the Twite would seem to be at a much higher altitude. 

 Indeed, the Linnet, other things being similar, seems to affect 

 during the breeding season moderate altitudes. 



The Common Sandpiper is said by Newton to arrive in May, 

 but would it not be more accurate to say April ? The Professor 

 thinks that it hardly exceeds in size a Sky-Lark, but it always 

 strikes me as decidedly larger, but I would not be dogmatic on 

 this point. 



The Sand-Martin is said to have several broods in the year, 

 which is contrary to my experience. I should scarcely think 

 that a very large proportion have even two broods in a season. 

 In its departure it is more regular, as Newton says, than other 

 Hirundinidee, and leaves earlier. 



The Nightjar {Gaprimulgus europcsus) does not always perch 

 on a tree lengthwise, for sometimes I have seen it perch in the 



