NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
229 
Robins. — It has been often .stated that young robins kill all the old birds at 
the end of the summer. Can this be verified by any member of the Selborne 
.Society ? 
November 5, 1902. F. S. 
Addled Partridges’ Eggs. — On a sporting estate this spring such a 
quantity of partridges’ eggs were found to be addled, owing to the inclement 
season, that they were handed by the keepers to the gardeners and used as manure 
in the celery trenches. 
Market Weston, Thetford. Edmund Thos. Dauueny. 
August, 1902. 
Snow Buntings. — During my stay at Lowestoft, at the beginning of this 
month, I came across a pair of these birds. My first view of them was at high 
tide, when they were on the pebbles close to the esplanade. They were in no fear 
of the passers-by, allowing me a closer view than the very robins in my garden, 
as they hopped about upon the wall and seats of the esplanade, and drank the 
water of its puddles. People did not notice them, or thought them only sparrows. 
They fed on the plants that grow above high water mark. When disturbed they 
have a habit of crouching among the pebbles, with which the colour of their 
plumage assimilates so well that one may pass within a few yards of them without 
noticing their presence. In their flight they are more conspicuous than any bird 
of their size with which I am acquainted. 
Market Weston, Thetford. Edmund Thos. Daubenv. 
October, 1902. 
Blaok Woodpecker. — When cycling from Ixworth to Thetford, by way of 
Honington, Fakenham and Euston, on October 24, I was greatly startled by a 
loud tapping noise proceeding fiom a large oak tree in Euston Park. Being 
interested as to what was making the noise, and moving slowly on the machine, 
I stopped as gently as I could and proceeded up to the tree. After searching for 
some time I observed a large bird pecking on the dead limb of the tree. 1 
watched the bird for some few minutes, and from what I could judge it was about 
the size of a green woodpecker. Its feathers were of a ditty black colour with 
a beautiful black crest. I should say its bill was about the size of a green wood- 
l>ecker’s. It seemed as though there were plenty of insects, as small pieces of 
wood were dropping and flying about. I thought I should be able to get a better 
view of the bird round the other side of the tree, so I started to move round as 
gently as I possibly could ; but, alas, I put my foot on a piece of dry stick which 
cracked, and away flew the bird with its long sweeping curves (similar to the 
green woodpecker). The shrill noise it made while flying was a much harsher 
and louder noise than the green woodpeckers make. I am sorry I had not my 
camera with me, as I fully believe I might have been able to secure a photograph 
of the bird, which would have been very useful for the de.scription, &c. 
I had already heard that these birds had been seen in Euston Park, but I 
never had the pleasure of seeing one until the above date. I trust they have been 
able to rear a few young ones this summer, as Fakenham Woods and liuston 
Park is a splendid place for them. I trust that this will be useful information to 
readers and those who have been writing on the black woodpecker in Nature 
Notes. W. S. Sparrow. 
Melford Bridge Road, Thetford. 
November 14, 1902. 
Why does a Devil’s Coach-horse Turn up his Tail ? — In answer 
to this question, which was asked by !Mr. W. H. Bernard Saunders in the 
November number of Nature Notes, I believe the following is the generally 
accepted answer to the question. Staphylinus oleus by turning up its tail, tries 
no doubt to mimic a scorpion, and thus avoid being eaten by birds which would 
otherwise devour it, for many of our British birds know scorpions well, as they 
often come across them when wintering in a warmer climate than that of England. 
This beetle also uses its tail for folding up its wings under its elytra, w’hich 
marvellous feat it w'ould be unable to accomplish without the use of its tail. 
The smell, about which Mr. Bernard Saunders writes, no doubt also acts as a 
preventive of their being devoured by our avine friends. 
