Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/276

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 * Sparrow-hawk, Accipiter Nisus. Common.
 * Sparrow-hawk, Accipiter Nisus. Common.

Brown harrier, Circus æruginosus.

Marsh harrier, Strigiceps pygargus. Not r.
 * Montagu's harrier, Strigiceps cineraceus.

Thorne moors, where it breeds. —Id.
 * }

Note on the voracity of the Gull Tribe. The following singular instance of the voracity of the gull tribe occurred here last week. A man who was shooting on the banks of the river, seeing something which had the appearance of an eel half shallowed hanging from the mouth of a gull which was flying overhead, fired at the bird, and on taking it up, found, not an eel, but—five tallow candles attached to a piece of thread, to the other end of which was fastened a sixth, the latter having been almost entirely swallowed. I have seen some of the candles, which are about twelve inches in length, with cotton wicks, and of a very common description,—such as are used on board the fishing boats, from the deck of one of which he had probably taken them. That which was swallowed I observed was broken in three places by the operation. I did not see the bird, but, judging from the man's description, and from one of the wings which he showed me, I have no doubt it was the common gull, (Larus canus). William R. Fisher; Great Yarmouth, June 21, 1843.

Note on the times of arrival of some of the Summer Birds of Passage at Yarmouth, in 1843.

The bearded tit, though it is not, I believe, usually considered a migratory species, regularly appears here in spring and autumn. It is probable that part of those which are bred in this country, leave us in winter and return the following spring.

The cuckoo, I am told, was heard several days prior to that which I have mentioned, but 1 did not meet with it before that time.

The time of arrival of the reeve I have stated to be March 25. I saw no ruffs for some days afterwards. May they not arrive separately, the reeves first?

The eggs of the spotted crake were taken the first week in May; those of the redshank on the 27th of April.

The little grebe, which does not breed anywhere near us, also regularly appears in spring and autumn.

Hobby, (Falco subbuteo). I saw a specimen at a dealer's the last week in February. As this bird had probably remained the whole winter, T have not inserted it in the list of summer birds.

Common snipe, (Scolopax Gallinago). Two eggs of this bird were brought to Yarmouth for sale, so early as April 1; the nest contained four.—Id. June 22, 1843.

Note on the times of departure of some of the Winter Birds of Passage from Yarmouth, in 1843.