Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/586

556 always struck me as very curious how the nesting habits of birds change in different localities. With us the Willow-Wren almost always builds its nest on the ground; in fact, in twenty years I have only once known an exception, whereas on the Spey side last year I found as many nests in bushes, &c, off the ground as I found on it. The highest nest I saw was quite twelve feet from the ground in the ivy on a house. The Chiffchaff with us always breeds on the ground (at least, I know of no exception). Dr. Butler's experience is different.— (Temple Combe, Henley-on-Thames).

Tree-Creeper nesting in Roof.—During the winter we have often seen a pair of Tree-Creepers (Certhia familiaris) on the big trees on the lawn here, and once or twice they were seen running up the side of the house, which is sand-dashed. On May 17th, when on the lawn, I saw one settle on side of house, and run up the wall; there is a greenhouse standing from the house, the top of the wall being covered with sheet lead, and the bird went in under this. I procured a ladder, and found a nest built on top of bricks against the wall of house. It is within four feet of a bedroom window, and close to the top of one of the drawing-room windows: a snug, dry, and warm place, but an unusual one for a Tree-Creeper.— (Rainworth, Notts).

Abnormal Nesting Place of Spotted Flycatcher.—Last year (Zool. 1898, p. 429) I recorded the finding of a nest of the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola), built inside that of a Swallow's. It may be interesting to readers to know that on May 11th last, in an old cowshed three hundred yards from the gruff hole, I again found a nest of the Swallow tenanted by Flycatchers; a frail nest was built inside containing three eggs. The sitting bird flying from the nest led to the discovery. It seems remarkable to me that in the same small area, on two occasions, a pair of these birds should occupy a nest of the Swallow for the rearing of their offspring. Of course, I do not know whether they were the same pair of birds. Would this habit be inherited by the offspring?— (Wells, Somerset).

Hobby in Westmoreland.—I am sorry to say that a poor little Hobby (Falco subbuteo), an immature bird, was shot by a keeper in Melkinthorpe Wood, Westmoreland, about the 24th of August. The Hobby is of rare occurrence in Lakeland; I do not recall any other specimen as having been killed in Westmoreland, though a few Cumbrian Hobbies exist in local collections. It is possible, nevertheless, that the recent specimen (which I have added to the Carlisle Museum) may have been bred in the district in which it came to its untimely end. Our excellent taxidermist, Mr. Hope, of Penrith, informs me that his father once killed a pair of Hobbies at their