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REPORTS. 



Blaekstart.— Mr, R. P. Spencer reports seeing a Blackstart at Lihou Island 



on May 5th, and Mr. Hocart saw one while crossing Lancresse Common 

 on November 8th. 



Nightjar. — An interesting note comes from Mr. Hocart to the effect that a 

 boy took him a young Goatsucker (or Nightjar) for identification on 

 September 17th. Mr. Hocart writes : " Being a bird of nocturnal habits 

 it is little known and may probably often be mistaken for an Owl when 

 flying in the dark." Cecil Smith wrote in 1879 of the Nightjar as being 

 a "regular autumnal visitant," and added that a few perhaps arrived in 

 the spring and remained to nest. Mr. Hocart, I may add, considers that 

 the bird taken to him was born here. 



Moorhen. — A Moorhen which has wintered regularly at Sausmarez Manor, 

 St. Martin's, for several years past, has again made its appearance there. 

 It was seen for the first time this autumn on September 25th by Mr. 

 Harold Smith. The bird always disappears in the early spring. A 

 reference was made to this bird in last year's report and the suggestion 

 thrown out that it is probably one of several Moorhens imported into 

 Saumarez Park at the Catel some years ago. Apparently this bird 

 prefers to live apart from its kind during the winter. In any case its 

 regular appearance at St. Martin's in the autumn and its as regular dis- 

 appearance in the spring is worth noting. 



Bartailed Godwit. — Mr. Spencer shot a Bartailed Godwit at Vazon on 

 October 31st. It was in winter plumage. A few days later Mr. 

 Spencer saw several moie of these birds. 



Basil T. Rowswell, 



Sec. Ornith. Section. 



