NOTHS AND QUERIES. 83 
Hobby nesting in Hants.—lIn reference to the note on this subject 
(ante, p. 24), I many years ago knew of a pair of Falco subbuteo nesting 
in the county not far from Stockbridge. The eggs were hatched in the 
nest of a Magpie, from which I subsequently took one of the young 
birds, which became very tame, and made a most interesting pet. It lived 
for several years, but was at last pounced upon by a cat when resting 
after a heavy meal, and although it succeeded in driving off the enemy, it 
was mortally wounded in the fray, one of the cat’s claws having punctured 
the skull, as was found on dissection afterwards. The bird was very fond 
of insects, which formed a portion of its food. —J. J. AnmistmaD (Solway 
Fishery, Dumfries). 
The Sanderling in Australia.—Referring to my note in ‘ The Zoolo- 
gist ’ (1895, p. 236) on the occurrence of the Sanderling (Calidris arenaria) 
in Australia, I can now further record having seen and handled specimens of 
this bird, shot in the vicinity of Point Cloates, as follows :-—Sept. 22nd, 1895, 
one shot by myself; Dec. 30th, 1895, one shot by the Rev. Dr. Maclean ; 
Dec. 12th, 1896, two shot by myself; and Nov. 5th, 1897, two shot and 
skinned by myself, and forwarded to the Perth Museum, West Australia. 
From these instances it would seem the bird is a regular visitant to these 
shores, as the average number of days in a year when [ can spare time to walk 
on the beach with my gun does not exceed six. The Sanderlings shot were 
always in company with Turnstones and Little Sandpipers (Actodromas 
australis). I may also mention I shot, on Oct. 22nd last, a Barred-rumped 
Godwit and Allied Dotterel (Ochthodromus inornatus). — THomMas CARTER 
(Point Cloates, West Australia). 
Eggs of the Roseate Tern.— Mr. Grabham’s remarks in ‘ The Zoolo- 
gist (1897, p. 510) respecting the eggs of Sterna dougalli, I unfortunately 
did not see until yesterday (Jan. 12th). As Mr. Grabham lives in or near 
the same city as I do, I am sorry he did not arrange to see my eggs of the 
Roseate Tern before stating he could not diagnose between the eggs of 
that Tern and those of allied species, and I feel sure had he seen my 
specimens he would not have made that declaration. I have conversed 
with other clever, if not eminent oologists respecting the eggs of this 
species, and they held the same opinion as Mr. Grabham evidently does, 
until they saw my series, when they were convinced as to their distinctness ; 
and I shall be pleased to show Mr. Grabham my series. In forming my 
opinion I do not altogether rely upon the specimens in my possession. I 
will offer to make the attempt to pick out the Roseate Tern’s eggs from 
a large drawer in which are placed two or three genuine eggs of that 
Tern among a large number of eggs of the Common and Arctic Terns, and 
I have little fear of being unsuccessful; but I must stipulate that the eggs 
are not what are called authentic American-taken specimens. mee Howard 
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