Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/294

268 the 1st of May I found a single specimen of this Wagtail running over the sea-bank in front of our house, in company with a flock of Meadow Pipits, with which the rarer visitor was probably migrating. The Wild Birds Act prevented my shooting it for the Carlisle Museum, but I watched it closely with my glasses for two hours in pouring rain, and had the pleasure of pointing out its white eye-stripe and other distinguishing characters to a young but promising ornithologist. On the 10th of May I found a single Ray's Wagtail on the same ground, also with some Meadow Pipits. The common Yellow Wagtail was much wilder than the Blue-headed species. I have seen plenty of Blue-headed Wagtails on the Continent, of course, but I never met with Motacilla flava in Britain before.— (Allonby Vicarage, Maryport, Cumberland).

Abnormal Occurrence of the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla lugubris) through the Winter in Aberdeenshire.—I was surprised to see one of the above (a male bird) flying in search of food about my houses on the 29th November, 1898. In fact, it appeared to be so strange to me to see one of these beautiful birds pouncing readily into byres among cattle, or into a stable among horses, in search of food, that I could scarcely realize its identity, the plumage being somewhat rough, there being a pretty sharp snowstorm at the time; but there was no want of vivacity, and the bird contrived to get a good meal before disappearing for the day. It made an appearance again on Dec. 1st, being then engaged searching for suitable sustenance in the mill-dam when the latter was emptied of water by being used for threshing fodder. With a return of fine weather it was not noticed near the houses, but with a recurrence of snow it appeared on the 19th and again on the 25th of December. During January and February it was a very common visitor to the turnip-fields, especially where the turnips were being lifted. There is no doubt that this bird remained here the whole winter. I have seen the bird in this county, but nearer the sea-coast, or at lower levels in mild weather, in January and February, but never so far inland, and withstanding the whole winter. — (Alford, Aberdeen, N.B.).

The Delinquencies of Starlings.—When first I came to live in Derbyshire—ten years ago—I placed boxes on my house to encourage Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). After two or three years' experience I came to the conclusion that these birds were rather too plentiful, and year by year, in May and June, I wish that their numbers were greatly diminished. In the Peak district we often have late frosts and cold easterly winds during spring, and the plants in our gardens are late in flowering. But as soon as a bright blossom appears on our borders the Starlings mark it as suitable building material for their nests; and later, when young plants are bedded out,