Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/536

508 mens were caught in the way mentioned above as characteristic of A. agrestis; that is to say, with their heads nowhere near the bait. In conclusion, it may be added that in my opinion the difference with respect to being trapped observable between agrestis and glareolus is partly, at all events, explicable in connection with an habitual difference of diet between the two species. At the time when I had the best opportunities of trapping agrestis, I was not aware that bait like bread, cheese, boiled potato, and the like, which seem to be so attractive to glareolus, have no charm for the other species. This fact I have subsequently learnt by keeping the two in captivity; glareolus is omnivorous, agrestis much more of a vegetarian, going mad with delight over a piece of lettuce; but he is also, miserabile dictu, like his cousin amphibius, by no means impartial to members of his own species.— (British Museum, Nat. Hist.).

Osprey in Dorset.—A very fine specimen of the Osprey, Pandion haliaëtus, was recently shot in the Fleet Waters, Dorset, by Mr. Russell, of Charlestown, an old sportsman bordering on seventy years of age. Mr. S.H. Wallis, of Weymouth, having heard that a rare bird had been obtained, proceeded to Charlestown, and at once recognized this very rare species on the British list. Mr. Wallis, who is a thorough naturalist, regrets the unfortunate death of such a rare visitor to English waters, and has added it to his collection. The bird has been entrusted to Mr. Watson, taxidermist, of Dorchester, for careful preservation.—( Orpington, Kent.)

Sparrowhawk nesting in Thorn-tree.— Is it not unusual for a Sparrowhawk to build a nest in a thorn-tree when suitable oak-trees are plentiful? My experience, which is fairly large, proves this to be the contrary. I found such in Cornbury Park, Oxon, on June 23rd last, containing six young. I might add that the nest was a completely made new structure, and was not situated in a fork, but among the smaller boughs near the top. At no great distance away, in a very similar position, was an old Squirrel's drey, the inside of which contained a Great Titmouse's nest, with two young and four addled eggs.— (Ascott-sub-Wychwood, Oxford).

Local Name of the Sheldrake.—I should be interested to know if the Sheldrake, Tadorna vulpanser, is known as the St. George's Duck on all parts of the English coast which this bird frequents. Some friends shot a pair of these handsome Ducks about a year ago on the south coast of Wales, and told me that these birds were known there by the above name. I do not remember having seen the term in any book on ornithology, and fancy it must be used only in a few counties on the west coast. Some