Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/393

Rh which I have obtained this season.— (Tostock Rectory, West Suffolk).

Young Cuckoo in Nest of Twite.—This year I have been led to a moor where one of our provincial birds is abundant—the Mountain Linnet or Twite, Fringilla flavirostris—and there I found one busily nursing a young Cuckoo. I believe the incident worthy of notice because the foster-parent in this case is the only species of small birds which remain constantly in the locality, one too exclusively moorland and closely clad with heather for such birds as Chaffinches, Yellowhammers, Larks, &c. It is evident that the nature of the food here provided must differ materially from that which the young ones would receive in more inland or sylvan situations, and it appears to be a question of considerable scientific interest how far the differences of food and natural surroundings may affect these remarkable birds at their different places of nativity, combined with the peculiarities of the various species of birds which are called upon to be their foster-parents. How the young Cuckoo may act as soon as able to provide for itself is also an interesting matter, for in the case under notice the surroundings are those typical for Red Grouse. The young Cuckoo in this case soon ejected all the other occupants of the nest, and became very fierce, making a dart with its bill at one's fingers with all the combativeness of an infuriated male Turkey. The foster-parents displayed their usual vigilance when any one approached the nest, being as much interested in the intruder as they could have been in their own offspring.— (Alford, Aberdeen, N.B.).

Hawfinches in West Sussex.—These birds have been a great nuisance here this season with their attacks on the garden peas. They seem to be far more numerous of late years; in fact, till ten years ago they might be termed locally rare, but since then scarcely a season passes without some stray individuals turning up.— (Thorneycroft, Compton, Petersfield).

Apparent Summer Appearance of the Shore Lark in Devonshire.—On the 14th inst., at about 4 p.m., I saw near Paignton, Devon, a bird which I think could be no other than Otocoris alpestris, the Shore Lark, an adult male in full summer dress. It was perched on a lower bough of a small tree in a meadow not twenty yards from the seashore, the sun full on it, and I had a clear view at ten or twelve yards distance for perhaps nearly a minute. The back was light brown with darker markings, the head with apparently bluish grey on crown, and conspicuous black and white at side; but, excepting a black streak above the eye, I cannot define the exact marking from memory. The bill was short and thick, the throat, breast, and all under parts nearly white, excepting a conspicuous black band