Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/207

Rh in. The year before (1887) I found a nest in the fork of a tall oak, and climbed up to it, as I wanted the eggs. It was ready for laying, but empty. I did not see the birds, but evidently they saw me, for two days afterwards they had moved the nest bodily to the next tree, where the hen was sitting on it. I was so touched by their intelligence that I left them in peace. On July 24th, 1892, I saw a curious Mistle-Thrush. It was pale dove-colour (a very pale grey) all over, and shone like silver in the sun. It was with about thirty others, and they stayed about the house for several days. I often got within forty yards of it, and watched it through a powerful glass. Its eyes seemed to be red. I have often seen Mistle-Thrushes, and heard them sing, in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, a somewhat curious habitat for such a wild bird.— (Black Hall, Drogheda).

Male Blackbird storing Seeds at Nest.—On March 21st I found, in a hedgerow, the nest of a Blackbird (Turdus merula), containing three eggs. On March 25th I again visited the nest, when I found the female incubating, and the side of the nest piled with a quantity of seeds, some of which I enclose for identification. On the 28th of the month I watched the nest from behind an apple tree, and saw the male bird come and go repeatedly, each time depositing these seeds, which are about the size of the half of a very small pea. His intentions were exceedingly charitable, and I should very much like to know if it is a common occurrence for the male bird of this species to feed the female during incubation, as I have never before observed him in this act.— (Wells, Somerset).

[The seeds are those of the common ivy (Hedera Helix).—]

Blackbird's mimicking Notes.—I can corroborate Mr. Davenport's instance of the Blackbird (Turdus merula) imitating the Curlew. I find in my notes that on April 14th, 1892, I heard a Blackbird imitating a Curlews whistle so perfectly that it at first completely deceived me.— (Black Hall, Drogheda).

Green Woodpecker in Ireland (Correction).—In Swann's 'Handbook of British Birds,' 1896, it is stated that this species (Gecinus viridis) had only twice been obtained in Ireland previously to October, 1889, "when an extensive immigration occurred." Again, Aflalo's 'Sketch of the Natural History of the British Islands,' 1898, speaks of a "recent immigration into Ireland, where, previous to the appearance of the last edition of Mr. Saunders's admirable 'Manual,' but two examples had been recorded." The above immigration never occurred, and neither edition of Mr. Saunders's 'Manual' is responsible for such a statement, as regards the Green Woodpecker. There were, however, ten Great Spotted Woodpeckers shot in Ireland in October, 1889, to January, 1890, inclusive: six in Ulster,