NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
153 
take of our little birds. They treat the head of a bird as they do a nut. Twelve 
out of thirteen nests of gold-crested wrens have been found turned inside out and 
the eggs eaten by them. They have been seen devouring blackbirds’ eggs, while 
the poor parents vainly remonstrated close by, and have been caught in the act of 
taking pheasants’ eggs. As they are frequently taken in traps baited with meat, 
their tastes are very similar to those of the brown rat, to which they are closely 
allied. It is to be borne in mind that in England almost all the .squirrel’s natural 
enemies are practically extinct, and that, conse<|uently, their numbers are in many 
places excessive. If we want to preserve our little birds, sijuirrels should be kept 
in check. One of the squirrel’s greatest foes is the pine-marten, which I should 
like to see introduced into spots like that in which I now reside. 
Southacre, Swaff ham, Norfolk. Edmuni) TitOS. Daubkny. 
127. Crested Grebe. — Eight or ten pairs of these birds are on the lake 
at Natford, about three miles from here, and their numbers are on the increase ; 
for till quite lately there have been one or two pairs only. Armed with a telescope, 
kindly lent me by the Sijuire, I have just spent an afternoon in making their 
acquaintance. Nine cock-birds were visible at the same time on different parts 
of the lake, but their mates were all absent, engaged in the important duties of 
sitting. I had the good fortune to obtain a fine view of one bird in more striking 
and beautiful plumage than any of the others. They are in safe (juarters where 
no one will be permitted to molest them in any way. 
Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
128. Standing Still. — The following incident illustrates the value to the 
naturalist of being able to stand motionless. I had been examining the under- 
portions of the woodwork of a small bridge spanning a narrow stream, and was 
just emerging from beneath it — one hand grasping the railing of the bridge, one 
leg being on either bank, my body at an angle of 45 degrees to the water, and 
my right arm extended in front of me — when a kingfisher flew between my legs, 
darted on for about 15 yards, paused, turned round, and came back to me and 
hovered close to my face, wondering whether to perch on my shoulder. However, 
he elected to settle on the rail within six inches of my face, though behind me, 
so that I dared not move a muscle. In this somewhat strained posture I remained 
for a minute or more, when he obligingly flew away as leisurely as is consistent 
with the nature of a kingfisher to fly. 
North Wahham. A. C. Mackie. 
129. Nightjar’s Nests. — I recently found two eggs of this bird on the 
ground with absolutely no pretence to a nest ; within a foot of them was a cup- 
shaped hollow in the ground about three inches in depth. Is it not the case that 
as incul.-ation advances the parent scratches a slight hollow beneath the eggs so 
as to keep the chicks in “ bounds ” ? Could it be that the mother in this case 
prepared a separate nursery for the little strangers at a convenient distance? 
Being the first eggs I have found, I could not resist the temptation of taking 
them, and so shall not be in a position to ascertain the ultimate object of the 
parents. Perhaps your readers may be able to throw light upon the incident. 
A. C. Mackie. 
130. A Mother’s Appeal. — On Monday last Mr. Norman Nicholls, of 
Porthallow, St. Keverne, whilst walking past Gwavas P'arm, about midway 
betweeen Cadgwith and the Lizard, had his attention attracted to a robin which 
flew about him, flapped its wings in his face some two or three times, and 
appeared greatly e.xcited and distressed. Mr. Nicholl’s curiosity being aroused, 
he watched the robin for some time, which flew toward him and then back into 
the hedge a short distance away, uttering apparently cries of distress all the 
time. lilr. Nicholls walked towards the hedge, when the bird seemed to wish 
him to come, and creeping up close he discovered a medium-size rat, which had 
got into the robin’s nest and was devouring one of the little young birds. At 
the .sight of Mr. Nicholls the rat jumped out, and was promptly knocked senseless 
on the road. \Yhen the robin saw the rat lying on the road she flew at him and 
pecked at him, viciously, “just as a little terrier dog would do,” said Mr. 
Nicholls. The rat was killed and thrown over into the field, and as Mr. Nicholls 
walked away the robin seemed to chirp him her thanks. There were four 
