ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 



149 



Breeding of the Reed Warbler in Cheshire.— On the 29th of 



May last, when searching in company with a friend for the eggs of the Sedge 

 Warbler (Acrocephahcs phraginitis), among the reedy margins of Pick-mere, near 

 Northwich, we were agreeably surprised to find a nest of Acrocephalus streperiis 

 suspended on the reeds, and containing four eggs. The nest agreed exactly with 

 the description given by Yarrell, and the eggs were not incubated in the least 

 degree. — Charles Oldham, Syrian House, Sale, Cheshire, December 1884. 



— A typical egg of this species, taken from the nest described, accompanied 

 this note. The record is of great interest, since it is by far the most north-westerly 

 locality in which this species has been known to breed in Britain, though in 

 eastern England it nests annually as far north a? mid-Yorkshire. — W.E.C. 



The Hawfinch in Cumberland. — Since alluding to the Hawfinch 

 {Coccothraitstes viilgaris) at p. 32, I have received a district list from Mr. 

 Hodgkinson of Preston (late of Carlisle"), in which he observes that the late Mr. 

 Cooper, the collector of T. C. Heysham's rarest birds, told him that this species 

 had bred at Woodside, near Carlisle. Considering that in Cooper's time the 

 range of the Hawfinch was more southern than it now is. the statement seems 

 rather unlikely ; but at any rate it is suggestive. As illustrative of the Hawfinch 

 being a winter visitor to Cumberland, I may mention that a male v/as killed near 

 Carlisle by a cat. from which it was taken, early in December 1884. — H. A. 

 Macphersox, 3, St. James* Road, Carlisle. December 20th, 1884. 



The Whimbrel in Cumberland.— When recently enjoying Mr. 

 C, Adamson's delightful book, • More Scraps about Birds.' I was surprised to read 

 at p. 60, that the Whimbrel {Nitnienius pJiaopiLs) 'is rarely seen on the Cumber- 

 land coast in autumn.' The statement rests on the authority of the late Mr. 

 Cooper of Carlisle, who shot the Redbreasted Snipe and other good birds for the 

 late jNIr. T. C. Heysham ; and who was, no doubt, an admirable observer. 

 Possibly the species has altered its taste as regards the Solway during the last 

 twenty years. At all events, it is now a thorough ' periodical visitant.' I saw a 

 fair number upon our coast in August and September 1884; and in 1883, one 

 was killed in November, though few, if any, really winter with us. — H. A. 

 Macpherson, 3. St. James' Road, Carlisle. December 20th, 1884. 



Capture of a Bittern in Yorkshire.— About a fortnight ago i had 



the opportunity of examining a Common Bittern (Botaurtis stellar is), which had 

 been killed during the month (December) at Grimston Park, near Tadcaster. It 

 was in fine condition and of large size. — ^J. Backhouse. Junr., West Bank, York, 

 December 31st, 1884, 



Land-rail near Tadcaster in December.— Shooting at Heaiaugh 



on the 24th of this month, E. C. Brooksbank killed a Land-rail {^Crex pratensis)^ 

 a veiy unusual occurrence at this time of year. — J. Chaloner. Newton Kyme, 

 Tadcaster, December 31st, 1884. 



Woodcocks in Notts. — A large flight of these birds has arrived, and I 

 have heard of them being shot all over the county, many being found in turnip 

 fields ; we have shot twelve in two days in the big wood here. There are also 

 very large flocks of Fieldfares about. — J. Whitaker, Rainworth Lodge, Notts., 

 November 20th. 1SS4. 



Bird-notes from Nidderdale. — On Saturday, December 6th, a fine 

 male specimen of the Common Sheldrake {Tadorna cormita) was shot near Pateley 

 Bridge, out of a flock of four, which were flying in a westerly direction. This is, 

 as far as I can gather, the only time of its occurring in this district. 



An instance of the Great Grey Shrike [Lanhis excitbitor)^ also was noted in 

 Harefield Woods, on Saturday, December 27th. A previous obser\-ation of this bird 

 had been made in the winter of 1883. 



Also, about a week ago, a pair of Goldfinches {Cardiielis elegans) were noted 

 near Pateley Bridge. This bird is ver}- rare here as a resident species, there being 

 only two instances of its breeding (in the summers of 1S82 and 1883), both of them 

 in an orchard. — Wm. Storey, Pateley Bridge, January 13th, 1885. 



Feb. 1885. 



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