THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



183 



disturbance until I released my captive. I have since that time seen many 

 starlings nests, which had three or four adults. 



A starling's nest was built under the eaves of a house at Didsbury, near 

 Manchester, eventually the young birds were hatched, and in consequence of 

 the noise which they created, which was a nuisance to the occupier of the 

 house, he decided to destroy the pair of adult birds, and two of them were 

 shot, and to his astonishment two other starlings fed the supposed orphan 

 birds. Is it not probable that the two latter were partners in the nest pre- 

 viously ? 



Sometimes two and three eggs are laid in a nest in one morning. How 

 is it to be accounted for unless there are more than two adults. Mr. John 

 and James Thorpe, of Altringham, can verify my statements as they have 

 frequently taken two, and several times three eggs, out of a nest, all of which 

 had been deposited in the nest the same morning. 



A starling's nest was built in the gable end of a house at Middleton, near 

 Manchester. In the house resided three brothers who had a dispute as to 

 whether there were two or more adult birds to the nest. The two elder 

 brothers declared there were only two, the youngest brother that there were 

 more than two : consequently the younger brother put it to a test. He 

 captured two of the adults and tied coloured flannel to them, and then gave 

 them their liberty. These birds afterwards regularly frequented the nest 

 along with others which were not decorated with the coloured flannel, the 

 result was the elder brothers admitted they were mistaken and evidently 

 defeated. 



This season three jackdaws built a nest on one of the columns which sup- 

 port the gasometer, at the Medlock Street gas . works, Manchester ; they were 

 observed night and morning by a friend of mine (Mr. T. Gee.) — Joseph 

 Chappell, Manchester. 



Pancalia Lewenhoekella. — I took a few of this pretty little species 

 in July, but could get no clue to the food-plant. It is strange how this 

 little fellow baffles our search. It is not rare where it occurs, but easily over- 

 looked. It only flies in the sun, and can apparently only be got in any 

 number by sweeping. I was rather early for it.r— T. W. Tutt, Westcombe 

 Park, London, S.E. 



D. Galii at Manchester.— A friend of mine brought me a specimen of 

 DeilepMla galii, which he had captured on the 21st July, hovering round 

 some yellow flowers at dusk, at Hest Bank, near Morecombe ; it is very 

 slightly rubbed. — Joseph Chappell, Manchester. 



