Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/251

Rh Heavy Death-rate of Lapwings.—The month of March, 1899, has been notable for having—at least here—the most severe snowstorm which has been experienced for well over half a century. The result is that considerable disturbance has been caused in the ordinary habits of our birds. The occasion has been conspicuously brought to notice by the many Lapwings (Vanellus vulgaris) which have been starved to death. Twenty were seen dead here within a few yards of each other. Of course they rushed towards marshes and water sides for food and shelter; but they seem to have succumbed to the severity of the frosts, as they could have easily obtained sufficient food to keep them alive, the ground being quite fresh about the damp places where they find food in cases of ordinary "Lapwing storms," as they are locally called—i.e. storms occurring after the arrival of the Lapwings. Others could be seen in a very feeble condition, being apparently only capable of flying with great exertion. These birds were being threatened with extermination by the prevalence of assiduous egg collecting, until measures were adopted to terminate it by a certain date of the year. There is no doubt that these birds have increased in numbers since, but this arctic visitation has clearly done much in limiting that increase. Lapwings seem to have little notion of impending storms, if we judge from the certainty by which a few bright days in early spring bring them to their summer resorts. But I may observe that before an ordinary spring snowfall they are in the habit of collecting in flocks, and apart from being led to any place where available food has a common attraction. There is no doubt that such a severe and protracted storm at the date mentioned must affect many birds seriously, and the question of the particular situation of our various migratory birds must be of value in comparing their instinctive powers to keep in their winter quarters until that season, in the strict sense, has passed away. The exact date of the equivalent here to the present stormy March is 1837, and before that a short April storm in 1813. A similar March storm occurred in 1812.— (Alford, Aberdeen, N.B.).

Nesting of the Common Snipe (Gallinago cœlestis) near London.—It may perhaps interest some of your readers to know that a nest of the above species, containing four eggs, was discovered on Epsom Common on the 17th of April. I have not heard of the nest of the Snipe from this locality for the last five years, and believed that it had deserted this spot, which was formerly somewhat favoured by it both in winter and occasionally in the nesting season.— (Hylands House, Epsom, Surrey).

Songs of Birds affected by Weather (vide Zool. ante, p. 183).—No birds have sung here since I came up on the 8th of April, except one Wren, Zool. 4th ser. vol. III., May, 1899.