Short Notes and Queries. 



11 



even white, heads being by no means uncommon. Then again, Mr. B. 

 says " its mode of flight is so distinctive I could not be mistaken," and 

 he describes it as ^'effected in large sweeping circles." This applies 

 equally well to the flight of the buzzard, which I have had the pleasure 

 of watching on several occasions. In the absence of more weighty 

 evidence, which I trust may be forthcoming, the decision I feel bound 

 to pronounce is a verdict for the plaintifi"." — Wu. Eagle Clarke, Leeds. 



Cuckoo. — Cuckoos have occurred in this neighbourhood in greater 

 numbers than I ever observed before. Three, five, and as many as 

 seven have been seen together. Besides their ordinary call they have a 

 laughing note, and when fighting can hiss like geese or snakes. Have 

 they been more numerous than usual in other districts this year ? — C. C. 

 Hanson, West Yale, July 18th. 



Singular Conduct of a Cock. — A common domestic hen, having a 

 brood of twelve chickens, began to thrash them away, to provide for 

 themselves, about two weeks ago. A cock — a cross between a Cochin- 

 china and silver pheasant — struck the mother, called the chickens to him, 

 and ever since has performed the oflice of guardian both night and day. 

 I saw him this morning with nine brooding under his wings, and three 

 sitting on his back. — C. C. H., July, 1879. 



Breeding op the Long-eared Owl at Ryther. — While staying for a 

 few days at Ryther, in the neighbourhood of Bishop's Wood, I was 

 informed that the long-eared owl had bred there last spring. The three 

 young birds, which are known as the ''horned owls," were taken from a 

 wood on the estate occupied by Mr. Atkinson. They were found by his 

 sons in the nest of a magpie during the month of May, and are now in the 

 possession of Mr. Paver, of Leeds. — Walter Baine, Leeds, July 17th. 



Gymnostomum commutatum in Wales. — I beg to announce the dis- 

 covery of Gymnostomum commutatum, Mitten, in a second locality in 

 Wales. A few weeks back I had occasion to examine specimens of the 

 moss from near Wrexham, re-discovered, I may say, by Mr. Holmes 

 during last year, and was surprised to find in comparing specimens in my 

 herbarium marked " Gymnostomum curvirostrum — wet rocks near Tre- 

 friw, 'N. Wales, June, 1861, Dr. Wood," that they agreed with Mitten's 

 description, having the leaf cells nearly all elongated and pellucid. — 

 John Whitehead, 21st July. 



Plagiothecium Borrerianum, Spruce. — On looking over some mosses 

 gathered at Whitsuntide (May 21), 1877, in the neighbourhood of 

 Wetherby, I find a very fine specimen of the above moss in fruit, in the 

 character of which it agrees in every respect with Mr. Whitehead's 

 specimens from Barmouth, except that the seta is somewhat longer. The 

 specimen was gathered in a wood near to Collingham, on the south bank 

 of R. Wharfe.— C. P. Hobkirk. 



