2 i6 
NATURE NOTES 
The Cuckoo’s Note. — Has any reader of Nature Notes noticed the 
following peculiarity in the call of the cuckoo? For several seasons a cuckoo 
has frequented the valley in which Swimbridge (N. Devon) is situated, and 
has coniinuously called '' c\ic^^-koo■koo.” I never heard but this one (which 
was presumably the same bird each season), and this always in the same 
neighbourhood, viz., in what is known in N. Devon as a mazzard garden. I 
have heard, and seen recorded, the “ cuck-cu:k-oo,” but never the repetition 
of the second note. 
Swimbridge, North Devon, W. Shelley. 
September 2, 1902. 
Albino Swallow. — The Daily Mail of September 6 states, among other 
items of news, that a pure white swallow was shot at Mowsley, Leicestershire. 
The reason for shooting such a harmless and interesting bird is not stated. But 
I notice that John Harwood Hill, in his “ History of Market Harborough,” when 
giving a description of Noseley Hall, Leicestershire, states that in the brown 
parlour are two paintings of a white bird on one picture, with a written notice — 
“This remarkable swallow was taken at Noseley Hall, August 18, 1754, and 
painted from life.” It would be interesting to hear from any of your readers of 
other instances of the albino swallow having been seen, but I hope not shot. 
13, Flanders Road, Bedford Park, W. H. Bl LUNGS. 
Chiswick, September 8, 1902. 
A Late Singing Robin. — A robin that frequents my garden who com- 
mences singing before daylight, and has his final bath and song after all the other 
birds are at rest, much surprised me the other evening by singing at 9 p. m. ! 
Being October 6, this was three and a half hours after sunset. He was on the 
branch of a tree above the wall of my neighbour’s garden by the side of the 
pavement, and facing the light of an incandescent gas street lamp. 
October, 1902. R. M. \V. 
Sparrows Immured by Martins. — In a long article on swallows in a 
number of the Scotsman, sent me a few days ago, there is the following : “ We 
have heard tell of a remarkable ruse when a sparrow had got inside a martins’ 
nest and held the owners at bay. Ejection was deemed impossible, but revenge 
was within their reach. The injured martins gathered a band of their friends, 
each with a bill full of mud, plastered up the doorway, and thus entombed the 
enemy.” When a small boy, half a century ago, I used to look upon this story 
as a splendid case of instinct ; but from that time to this I have never come across 
a pair of eyes that have seen an instance of it. Is there any authority for this 
ancient belief? Has anyone seen it take place? Though loth to call it so, I 
fear it is a myth. 
Market Weston, Thetford, Edmu.nd Thos. Daubeny. 
October, 1902. 
A Sparrow Frightened. — Most of us, I think, are not sorry to see a 
cock-sparrow daunted by anything ; but one hardly expects him to be afraid of a 
fly ! The dogs were being fed in their kennel the other day, while a row of 
sparrows watched on the fence. Presently came by a huge dragon-fly. He 
alighted close to one of the lot, a fine cock-sparrow, whom he “ covered ” with 
a pair of gigantic eyes. The bird, taken aback, sat still for half a minute winking, 
then took to his wings and fled ! 
Elrick, Aberdeenshire, E. \’. B. 
September 8, 1902. 
Queer Nesting Places. — A greater or ox-eye tit last month successfully 
hatched and reared a brood of six youngsters in a wayside letter box attached to 
a gate-post. The only means of access was through the aperture for letters, 
which was rather wider than ordinary. Three times did they build their nest 
and lay eggs only to be robbed by mischievous youths ; but even then the bird 
was not made to desert the spot, but again laid six eggs, this time on the bottom 
of the box, afterwaids building the nest around them. The mere dropping in 
of letters did not disturb the old bird, and when the postman opened the box 
she simply flew out on the rails close by, and as soon as he had closed the front 
flew back and returned through the opening. 
