Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/300

272 the above nest. Being now at work during my spare time in preparing a History of the Birds of Kent, I should like to hear from any reader of 'The Zoologist' who knows of a previous instance, or would be kind enough to furnish me with any information regarding the occurrence of rare birds, the distribution of local species during the breeding season, winter visitors, or the whereabouts of private collections; all such information will be gratefully acknowledged.—N.F. Ticehurst (Guy's Hospital, London, S.E.).

An Unfortunate Cuckoo.—My attention has recently been directed to a dead Cuckoo found on a moor near here, which must have met its end under somewhat peculiar circumstances—I might say melancholy circumstances—when we consider the long flight which this bird must have taken a short time before it was destroyed. The enemies which may have attacked it in an unwary moment—as it was found beside a small watercourse, where it may have been either drinking, bathing, or otherwise occupying its time—are Stoats, Weasels, Dogs, and Cats; or, among birds, the Merlin, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, and Hooded Crow, of which the first is rare in this neighbourhood. But there were no signs of picked-out eyes, blood-sucking about the neck, or anything that would indicate an attack by any of the above-mentioned animals. The parts eaten away when I saw it were indicative of Rooks, who had fallen upon it after death; and we may suppose from other appearances that it had been perhaps killed in battle, either between one or more of its own kind or with some other bird, as there were feathers, apparently plucked, lying at three places in the vicinity where the dead bird was found, while its neck was practically cleared of feathers in some parts, without indication of cuts. I have seen these birds somewhat pugnacious about the time they arrive, as well as during their stay here, and it is possible that there may have been a fight, ending in the death of one of them. In the vicinity there was a Ring Ouzel's nest, and it is a question whether it would be possible for a Cuckoo to tamper with one of these Thrushes with the view of depositing an egg in its nest. The other birds in the neighbourhood which could have fought would consist of Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Curlews, Grouse, Partridges, Wood-Pigeons, or Rooks. The last mentioned sometimes have great fights with Hawks, and if the Cuckoo possesses the boldness of the Hawk it might enter into a disadvantageous conflict with one or other of these birds.— (Alford, Aberdeen, N.B.).

[I found a dead Cuckoo several years ago among some trees near Purley, Surrey, and ascribed its death to contact with some tall wire-fencing (?). It was in such perfect condition that it was set up, and is still in my possession. Good authorities—Bowdler Sharpe, Jefferies, amongst