Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/249

Rh think it was only a Yellowhammer, but presently getting a better view, I was surprised to see that it was a Cirl Bunting, as I understand that this species is very rare in this part of the country. I may add, however, that I was informed that another example of this species had been seen only about two miles from the spot where I met with the Cirl Bunting. This other example was seen in a little-frequented part of the district in the summer of 1897 or 1898, my informant distinctly recognizing the species; in fact, I closely cross-examined him on the differences between the Cirl Bunting and the common Yellowhammer, but he remained confident that he had correctly diagnosed the species. In the meadows alluded to above the following Buntings occur regularly: Emberiza citrinella, E. schœniclus, and the local E. miliaris.— (Sale Bridge House, Sale, Manchester).

Cuckoos' Eggs in Nest of Red-backed Shrike.—In Dr. Rey's interesting article on Cuckoos' eggs (ante, pp. 176-8) there is one observation which shows how different the habits of the same species may be in different countries. I refer to the statement that in the neighbourhood of Leipzig 84 per cent, of the Cuckoo's eggs are found in the nests of the Red-backed Shrike, which in England seems to be one of the most uncommon foster-parents. During the last four years I have certainly seen in situ over thirty nests of the Red-backed Shrike, and have had the opportunity of examining the unblown eggs of perhaps twelve or fifteen more, not one of which contained a Cuckoo's egg or a young Cuckoo, though Cuckoos and Shrikes abound in the same meadows. A Cuckoo's egg was found here in 1894 in a Shrike's nest, but there was no other egg, and the nest was apparently a deserted one. A friend who knows the Shrike well, and has found many nests, is of opinion that a pair of Red-backed Shrikes would give a prowling Cuckoo they found in the near neighbourhood of their nest a warm reception, in which I quite agree with him.— (Tostock Rectory, Bury St. Edmunds).

Variation in Cuckoos' Eggs.—After reading Dr. E. Rey's views as to the reason of the great variation in Cuckoos' eggs (ante, pp. 176-8), it struck me that his theory, that the variation is caused by the different diet supplied to the nestling Cuckoos by their foster-parents, may not generally be accepted by ornithologists as a satisfactory explanation. In the first place, it may be questioned whether there is any material difference in the diet provided by the various species of foster-parents, for even hard-billed birds, e.g. Buntings and Finches, feed their young largely on an insectivorous diet. The young Cuckoo would in almost every case be reared mainly on an insectivorous diet by its foster-parents, and when once it was launched out into the world, and dependent on