golden eagle having bred in the west of Ross-shire between the years 1844 and 1847. This year when in Sutherland, in August, I saw a young male bird which had been taken, in all probability, from the same eyrie which Mr. Buxton alludes to. There is only one locality on the shootings of Loch Ailsh.

2. Osprey (Zool. 7395). I believe that there is now only one locality in Scotland where the osprey breeds: it has long since deserted those localities mentioned by Mr. Newman, viz. Loch Lomond, Loch Awe, &c.

3. Goshawk (Zool. 7395). The goshawk, if it ever bred in Orkney, must have placed its nest on the cliffs, as there are no "tall fir trees," to my knowledge, in Orkney. Even furze will not grow healthily in Orkney.

4. Kite (Zool. 7395). Now, I fancy, quite extinct in Scotland as a breeding species. I have one egg in my collection, taken in Argyleshire, in 1862, which I received from Dr. Dewar.

5. Tawny Owl (Zool. 7397). Frequently breeds in hollow trees. I have known more than one nest thus placed, and have eggs taken on two different occasions from a like situation in Craig Lochart Woods near Edinburgh. I also know of a pair of tawny owls breeding in a slit or fissure of a rock near here.

6. Sedge Warbler (Zool. 7441). Mr. Newman says of this bird, "In fact, it seldom frequents reeds." My experience of this bird has always been quite the contrary. The nest is never suspended by the reeds, it is true, but the birds themselves I have constantly observed sitting on the long bending reeds as they waved in the wind.

7. Siskin (Zool. 7474). The siskin, as far as I have been able to observe, generally places its nest at a considerable height above the ground. I have seen the nest fully forty feet from the ground (Zool. S. S. 893), and I heard of four nests this year in Kincardineshire, all of which were similarly placed. The siskin breeds in Aberdeenshire, East Sutherland, and many other localities in Scotland. It is a most difficult matter to secure the eggs, even after the nest is discovered, as the latter is almost always placed at the very extremity of the branch of a black fir tree.

8. Twite (Zool. 7475). A favourite position for the twite's nest is amongst the white grass growing on rocks on the sea-shore, and in similar situations as those chosen by the rock pipit.

9. Heron (Zool. 7480). The heron breeds in small numbers on the cliffs west of Stromness, in Orkney. Also breeds in considerable numbers on low alder-trees on Loch Ailsh, in Ross-shire. Eggs pale green.

10. Dunlin (Zool. 7481). The dunlin breeds on the shores and islands of inland lochs in Sutherland, Stirlingshire and other localities.

11. Redthroated Diver (Zool. 7496). Breeds plentifully in Sutherland, as well as in Hoy, Orkney, as does the blackthroated diver.

12. Ringed Guillemot (Zool. 7496). Breeds at Handa, Hoy Head, and several other localities.

13. Black Guillemot (Zool. 7497). Is not, I believe, now present in the Firth of Forth during the breeding-season.

14. Shag (Zool. 7498). I have myself taken the shag's eggs at the Lizard, Cornwall.

15. Common Gull (Zool. 7500). Does the common gull breed on cliffs at St. Abbs Head? If so is it not uncommon? Any I have ever found have been upon

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level ground on islands or shores of inland and sea lochs, and often placed deep amongst long white grass.-John A. Harvie Brown; Dunipace House, Falkirk, September 28, 1867.

Errata.-In my "Collected Observations on the Birds of Stirlingshire," in the September number of the 'Zoologist,' page 884 and elsewhere, for “Campsil” read Campsie." Page 893, line 26, for "Inarter" read "Quarter." Page 896, line 29, for "craw" read "cran." Page 904, line 29, for "the species" read "the next species." I am very sorry these errors have occurred, as they are entirely my own fault, in not having written some of my letters distinctly enough.-J. A. Harvie Brown.

Further Note on the Buzzards seen in Kent.-A few days back I sent you an account of my seeing a buzzard here on two occasions, and of two having been seen together. Having satisfied myself that the birds seen were buzzards, I immediately wrote to you without further consideration. On each occasion I observed the bird through a small pair of opera-glasses, at distances of about four hundred and one hundred yards respectively, and I saw that the upper part of the tail was white. I had never seen this in any other hawk, but I was not familiar with buzzards, and did not remember whether the common buzzard had that part white or not; but when I came to examine drawings of that species and the three stuffed specimens here, I found that this white was the distinguishing characteristic of the roughlegged buzzard. To use the words in Gould's 'British Birds,'" the roughlegged buzzard when in the air may be easily distinguished by the white root of the tail." Being now confident of these being roughlegged buzzards I closely examined the under keeper, who has generally seen the birds, and he distinctly and unhesitatingly stated that the upper part of the tail was white, and that he had never seen anything like it before: they came close over his head. He thought they were larger than the common buzzard, and one was much larger than the other. Their flight resembled both that of the heron and of the common hawks. Sometimes they flew low with flapping wings, sometimes soared in circles. I fancy they make long excursions into the country, as sometimes they are not seen for days. If Captain Hadfield or any other naturalist acquainted with buzzards would kindly offer an opinion as to the likelihood of these being the roughlegged species I should be much obliged.--Clifton; Cobham Hall, September 24, 1867.

Early Arrival of Fieldfares.-Upon the 25th of September, while in a garden at Aldeburgh, Suffolk, I chanced to look up, and was considerably surprised to see a small flock of fieldfares flying over my head: there were about a dozen in the flock. It had been rather cold weather that week in Suffolk, but nevertheless it is early for this bird to visit us. Two other persons saw them besides myself.-Alexander ClarkKennedy; September 27, 1867.

Late Greenfinch's Nest.-Mr. Clogg mentions a yellowhammer's nest found on the 26th of August. I found a greenfinch's nest, with young ones, in a blackthorn, about that date, certainly in the last week of August.-Clifton.

Hawfinches' Nests and Eggs.-Observing in the October number of the 'Zoologist' (S. S. 949) a notice of the hawfinch (Loxia coccothraustes) at Selborne, Hants, I may mention that in Huntingdonshire this species appears to be on the increase; at least it is so in our locality, where we never used to have any, and I have kept a look out on birds for many years. Now we have a regular colony, and I have taken three nests at the same time, all within twenty-five yards of each other. It is of no use to describe

such well-known things; I will, therefore, only mention that they are always upon apple-trees, avoiding pear-trees, which are in proximity. I wish to say a word, bowever, concerning the eggs, of which my collection contains a series of complete sittings. Among these there are three distinct varieties, two of which are not unusual, but the third I believe to be much so. Two sets of this latter sort, the first taken on the 28th of April, 1865, consist of five; the second on the 11th of May, 1867, six in number, have in both cases a pale bullfinch-blue ground, with small spots, instead of the usual streaks, and resemble the eggs of the waxwing (Bombycilla garrula) in size and other particulars so closely that they might easily be passed off for them. I believe the common counterfeit for B. garrula is the egg of the eedar bird (Ampelis cedrorum), but on placing one of these beside the former, the difference in size is very considerable. I have had one or two opportunities of examining the most extensive series of waxwings' eggs known, and this particular variety of hawfinch closely resembles them. I think, therefore, it is well to call the attention of collectors to the fact.-George Dawson Rowley; 5, Peel Terrace, Brighton, October 7, 1867.

A strange Trap for Swallows.-One day last August a swallow was seen to be caught by the head in the interstices of one of the gilded weathercocks which surmount the towers of this house. Sympathizing crowds of swallows flocked to see it, and in a short time two more were caught in the same way.-Clifton; Eton College, October 8,

1867.

Martins and Wagtails.—In reading Mr. Stevenson's excellent work on Norfolk Birds, I was pleased to see that he records what I have often observed before, but had never seen mentioned in any work, viz. the strange antipathy of the pied wagtail to the house martin. Fights between these birds are seen every day here, the wagtail chasing the martin with incredible swiftness. Most people think both are house martins when they see a fight of this kind. The swallow and the flycatcher are also on cat and dog" terms generally, the swallows bullying the young flycatchers while sitting and waiting for the parent birds to feed them.—Id.

Swallows and Martins picked up dead at Aldeburgh.—On account of the frost on Friday night, the 4th of October, swallows and martins were found dead in the streets of this town. On Saturday there was snow and hail.-E. C. Moor; Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

Late Swift.-I was told by a friend of mine, Mr. W. Basham, that he saw a common swift flying over the Thorpe Mere, near Aldeburgh, Suffolk, upon the morning of the 24th of September.-A. Clark-Kennedy; 14, Prince's Gardens, W., September 26, 1867.

Number of Eggs laid by the Swift.-With reference to the paragraph under the above heading in the 'Zoologist' for September (S. S. 915) I beg to state, for the information of those interested in the subject, that in the middle of June last I took two swift's nests in the church here, one containing two fresh eggs, and the other three eggs hard sat upon. This shows that the eggs of the swift are not invariably limited to two. As to the bird never alighting, I have every reason to think that the statement of Mr. Parnell is correct. There are at least ten pairs of these interesting birds which breed in the church here every year, and though I have watched them closely for many seasons I have never yet seen one of them alight, further than clinging to the eaves of the church immediately before entering the nest.-Marcus Richardson; Portrush, County Antrim, September 17, 1867.

Hybrid Black Grouse on Bodmin Moors.-On several occasions I have heard of and received specimens of hybrids between the pheasant and gray hen, from the extensive moors between the Cheese Wring and Jamaica Inn, on the Bodmin Moors. It is singular that on these occasions no instance of the black cock has been noticed. My nephew writes me word that, on Tuesday, the 24th of September, his setters came to a stand at a secluded marsh in these moors, and up got a brood of apparently black game: the old gray hen was very remarkable. He shot and sent me a young cock in entire moult, with patches of black, the tarsi partially feathered. I have recommended him to let the brood get full feathered, when no doubt, as on former occasions, the tail will appear partially elongated. I have the one referred to by Yarrell as having been in the possession of my father, Dr. Rodd. The specimen referred to as in the possession of Sir W. Call was killed at the same time.-Edward Hearle Rodd; Penzance, September 26, 1867. A Sagacious Hen.-A correspondent writes: On Wednesday a hen was taken from Nantmole to Ynisnewdn, Swansea Valley, in a basket (with a bag over the basket) in the bottom of a cart, the distance between the two places being five miles. On Saturday morning the hen was again seen quietly feeding in Nantmole Farm-yard, having apparently been displeased with her new quarters, and come home to roost."From the Bristol Mercury,' October 5, 1867.

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Pigmy Curlew at Aldeburgh.—Another pigmy curlew has been shot upon the mere last week, and I saw a fourth, which was shot at, a few days ago, all four specimens occurring within a few days.—A. Clark-Kennedy.

Extraordinary Flock of Wood Sandpipers at Rainham, Kent.-On the 26th of July last my brother, G. E. Power, fell in with a large party of wood sandpipers on some marshes near Rainham, Kent, a sudden change of wind on the previous night, viz., from S.W. to N. and N.E., with a deluging rain, having apparently driven these birds out of their usual line of migration. At first he put up but three, one of which he shot, but at the report others rose on all sides, and joining in one large flock flew round and round at some height, continually whistling; their number he estimated at from eighty to one hundred. They soon pitched again, and, dividing into small parties, flew round the ditches like dunlins: he followed them up, and without any difficulty succeeded in obtaining four more; the greater part then crossed a creek to a neighbouring marsh, although many still remained where he first found them. Next morning he only met with one, and after that only occasionally came across a few, seeing the last on the 6th of September. This flock appears to have consisted principally of young birds, but of those which he obtained one was plainly an old one, and had not entirely lost the breeding-plumage, as the worn tail and scapular feathers showed, and proved to be a female. In this specimen the quills are brownish, very different from the blackish brown of the other birds; the whole plumage, too, is of a dirty brown colour with few spots on the back, and these nearly white, not yellowish as in the other specimens. All these birds were in excellent condition and were loaded with fat. I may mention that we had only twice previously met with this species at Rainham, viz., one seen in July, 1865, and a second which I obtained on the 15th of last July on the same marsh where this large flock appeared.-F. D. Power; Ladywell, Lewisham, October 2, 1867.

Little Stint and Little Gull at Leicester.-I have just seen two birds which I believe are of very rare occurrence in this country, namely, the little stint (Tringa

pusilla) and the little gull (Larus minutus). They were both shot in the Abbey meadow, close to the town of Leicester, in January last, and stuffed by Mr. W. Elkington, of that place, who sold them to Mr. Mansfield, of Birmingham, bird's-eye maker, &c., in whose possession they now are. I have a letter from Mr. Elkington containing the names of the two gentlemen who shot the birds, and describing the Abbey meadow as a very large field of grass land, bounded on one side by the canal, and on the other by the "Old Soar;" and in winter time often overflowed with water.-Thomas Goatley; 4, Strand, Southampton, September 16, 1867.

Redthroated Diver netted at Penzance.-This morning, in four fathoms water, I caught, entangled in my net, a speckled diver (the redthroated diver in its first year). The bird is in very good plumage.-Thomas Cornish; Penzance, October 5, 1867.

Sabine's Gull at Weston-super-Mare.—I have been told that a specimen of this little fork-tailed gull was shot here about the 14th of September. By the description of it given to me it must have been an adult. The shooter of it did not know its rarity, and unfortunately it was not preserved. This makes the third example of this gull which has been obtained on the Weston sands during the last decade.—Murray A. Mathew; Weston-super-Mare, October 3, 1867.

Buffons Skua on the Norfolk Coast.-Two male examples of this rare species were shot on the 4th instant, on the beach at Beeston Regis, and passed into my hands for preservation. The first is an adult bird, the stomach containing several feathers, which, on examination, I found it had plucked from its own breast. The second specimen is an immature bird, in the stomach of which I found a solitary beetle, quite soft from the action of the stomach, so that when touched it fell to pieces. The legs and base of the toes are of a bluish slate: in the adult bird they are dusky black.—T. E. Gunn ; 21, Regent Street, Norwich, October 9, 1867.

Piebald Variety of the Common Skua.—On the 26th of September I received, for preservation, a specimen of the common skua from Braughin, near Ware, in Hertfordshire. It was killed by the telegraph-wires near that place. The crown of its head and its throat were mottled with small patches of white feathers.-Id.

Storm Petrel in Norfolk.-This uncertain little visitor, after the lapse of several years, has again made its appearance on the Norfolk coast, and apparently in some numbers. I have received as many as three specimens for preservation during the last few days. An adult male was obtained, on the 2nd instant, at Little Fransbam, near Dereham; a female, on the 4th, at Beeston Regis, near Cromer; and the third specimen, a male, was picked up dead yesterday (October 8th) on the beach near the lastnamed place. The first-named was in good plumage; the tips of the wings and tail of the female were apparently slightly worn. All the birds were in very poor condition, and seemingly starved out: a few fragments of insects, some muddy substance and pebbles comprised the entire contents of their stomachs.-Id.

Storm Petrel at Cromer.-A storm petrel was picked up on this beach on the 6th instant: it was dead, but quite fresh. The weather has been stormy for several days past.-T. F. Buxton; Cromer, Norfolk; October 7, 1867.

Storm Petrel at Aldeburgh.-Six storm petrels were seen flying about near the Orford Lighthouse: two were shot by Mr. Hele, of Aldeburgh, and another by Mr. Greenwood. They are rare birds on this coast, and very seldom indeed shot.E. Charles Moor; Aldeburgh, Suffolk, October, 1867.