Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/448

418 rewarded their protector with abundance of song.— (Ringwood, Hants).

White Wagtails in County Cork.—Seeing in your last issue (ante, p. 364) Mr. Robert Warren's note on the occurrence of Motacilla alba in North-western Ireland, I think it may be interesting to state that I observed one bird of that species on the river Lee, Co. Cork, on April 20th of this year. The wind on 15th, 16th, and 17th was N. and N.E.; on 18th, 19th, and 20th, S. and S.W.— (Chesthill, Perthshire).

Cirl Bunting probably often overlooked.—In reference to the note on Emberiza cirlus (ante, p. 322), I think that the bird is still probably overlooked in many parts of its range. Some time ago, when I reported the occurrence of a bird I believed to be E. cirlus in North Cheshire, I was promptly reminded that the species had never before been known in the district. With due care I therefore examined the specimens of E. cirlus and E. citrinella exhibited in the Natural History Museum, fully expecting to find I had been in error. However, the true E. cirlus at any rate resembled the bird I had seen quite as closely as did the common E. citrinella, and I returned unconvinced, after repeated examinations. On June 16th, whilst cycling through Dunham Massey, Cheshire, I saw a bird exactly resembling the first I had seen with a dark mark on the throat. I at once dismounted, but the bird settled in some growing crops, and did not reappear. As neither of the birds I saw were shot, it will, I think, be better to suspend judgment, and I am willing to admit after all they may only have been varieties of E. citrinella; but I hope these two suspicious occurrences, together with the recent discovery of the species in Wales, will stimulate ornithologists to keep a sharp look out for the true E. cirlus.— (Sale Bridge House, Sale, Manchester).

Swifts Fighting.—According to an editorial note (ante, p. 269), Bree stated he had been told that Swifts had been found grappled together on the ground by their claws. It may interest readers of 'The Zoologist' to know that some time ago I caught two specimens of the common Indian Swift (Cypselus affinis) in this predicament in the Indian Museum buildings. When taken up and separated they proved well enough to rise and fly when placed on the floor. This species, I find, can almost invariably rise from a flat surface; I once found one which could not, but flew away on being thrown into the air. Does the power of rising from the ground vary in different individuals in Swifts? It would almost seem so, for Dr. P. Rendall, writing ('Ibis,' 1892, p. 222) of this same species (Cypselus affinis) in Africa, says, "This bird is unable to rise from the ground." The gait of C. affinis on the flat is a plantigrade crawl, the feet resting on the ground