Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/455

Rh Proximity of Magpie's and Wood Pigeon's Nests.—On June 18th I noticed a rather unusual coincidence in Fyfield Wood, Oxon. There was a Magpie's nest situated in a slender birch tree, containing four young ones nearly ready to fly, and close by was a sapling oak, in the upper part of which was placed a Wood Pigeon's nest containing two hard-sat eggs, off which the old bird flew. The two nests could not have been three yards apart at the most.— (Ascott-sub-Wychwood, Oxford).

Hedgesparrow appropriating a Thrush's Nest.—A short while ago a little girl showed me a Hedgesparrow's nest with eggs which she found this season in rather an unusual situation. The locality was Monkton Combe, about five miles from Bath. Both nests were about the usual size, and completely finished. I have come across a Wren's nest in a similar situation, but was surprised to find a Hedgesparrow having utilised another bird's nest in the above manner. In 'The Zoologist,' 1895, p. 275, there is a note concerning a pair of Greenfinches having appropriated a Thrush's nest, and rearing a brood successfully.— (4, Richmond Hill, Bath).

White Eggs of Hedgesparrow.—Early in the season a boy, much interested in birds and their eggs, brought me an egg taken from a nest built in a hedge of thorn and holly. The egg was perfectly white and shining, reminding one forcibly of eggs of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and not of that chalky whiteness we find in eggs such as the Swift's. The boy told me the nest contained three other eggs, and a few days after he informed me another had been laid, exactly similar, and that the bird—a Hedgesparrow—was sitting upon them. Strange to say, the bird was unmolested, and hatched three of the eggs, the other being addled; and when the young were flown the boy brought me the nest as a proof of his observation and veracity.— (Ringwood, Hants).

Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) in Kent.—I am pleased to be able to record another occurrence of this very rare visitor to this country, which I observed on May 15th last on the range of hills in mid-Kent, while in company with my friend Mr. John Wood. As we passed under an ash-tree I heard a strange note overhead, and, looking up, I saw a bird fly out with a rather jerky flight, and uttering short notes, resembling, as well as I can remember, the sounds "chur-tic, chur-tic, tic." These notes were new to me, and from the appearance of the bird, as seen against the background of brilliant blue sky, I was quite at a loss to make out the species; but it soon dipped down, and its striking colours became visible against the hill under which we were standing. The bird then alighted on the ground for a few seconds, when I brought my friend's field-glasses to bear on it, which at once revealed the pattern and richness of its plumage. I then instantly knew