OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE IN 1883 . 
89 
third dabchick choked, just as in the two former instances, by 
attempting to swallow a hull-head.” 
Pochard (Fuligula ferina ).—I am informed by Mr. Marlborough 
It. Pryor that a pochard was shot on the 20th of June on the pond 
at Weston Manor, near Stevenage. 
Puffin' (Fratercula arctica ).—During the year 1882 I was able 
to report the occurrence of three puffins, all of which were taken 
on the northern side of our county. I have again to record the 
finding of a puffin in the same neighbourhood. It was picked up 
at Deed, near Eovston, and appeared to have been injured by flying 
against telegraph wires. It is reported by Mr. William Norman 
of Royston. 
White Stork (Ciconia alba ).—A white stork was shot some¬ 
where about the end of July, while resting on the top of a house 
near Hatfield. It seems more than probable that it was one of 
two, reported in the ‘Field,’ Nov. 28th, 1882, to have escaped 
from Chequers Court, near Tring, the residence of Mr. H. D. 
Astley. Under these circumstances I cannot legitimately include 
it among the birds of Hertfordshire. 
The stork is one of the best known and most regular of all 
migratory birds; it is extremely scarce in the British Isles, and 
can only be considered a rare and accidental visitor. In Holland, 
where it is treated with almost superstitious attention, it is common 
during the summer months. Anecdotes respecting the fondness 
of the stork for her young, and the care with which she protects 
them from danger or injury, abound both in ancient and modern 
literature. 
Curious Nesting Places. —Dr. A. T. Brett has forwarded some 
interesting reports of eccentric nesting. A blue-tit built its nest 
and hatched nine young tits in a pump at Durrant’s Farm; the 
only entrance was the spout, and through the spout ingress and 
egress were successfully maintained. Another tit built its nest in 
the letter-box at Mr. George Hooper’s farm-gate; a third selected 
an old boot. The boot, which contained both nest and eggs, was 
brought to Dr. Brett for inspection. It was found in the hedge 
opposite Miss Hibbert’s on the Hempstead Road. On the 9th of 
March a robin was found to be sitting on five eggs inside the green¬ 
house at Watford House ; the nest was built on an artificial rockery 
composed principally of cork. The robins were observed to enter 
by means of a hole through which the stem of one of the vines 
found its way into the greenhouse. 
Mr. E. S. Fordham informs me that two or three linnets’ nests 
have been found at Elbrook House, Ashwell, in Brussels-sprouts 
that had run to seed. The same gentleman reports the nest of a 
tree-creeper as having been built in an old thrush’s nest. 
Singular occurrence in an Aviary.— Mr. E. R. Raitt has been 
good enough to send me the following anecdote:—In the garden of 
the Red Lion Hotel, High Barnet, is a large aviary, containing several 
different kinds of birds. On the 16th of April, whilst feeding 
them with bread, I was surprised to see a ring-dove make a furious 
