Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/266

238 where I found one nest on May 31st containing seven eggs. As far as I know, there are not many instances on record of its breeding in this county.— (Saltaire, Weston-super-Mare).

Lateness in Appearance of the Summer Migrants.—The following experience is unique in my recollection, and may be worth recording. Having failed up to April 4th to discover a single summer migrant of any species, I determined to spend the morning of the 10th in an elaborate search. It was fine and, on the whole, warm, and the country was extremely beautiful. I rambled about for three hours among woods and meadows, and along the banks of our stream, searching every spot which I have ever known to be frequented by Chiffchaffs on their first arrival, but without success. By this time we may usually expect to see three or four other species, though the dates of arrival in this upland district are seldom very early; but neither Blackcap, Redstart, or Tree Pipit were to be seen. I saw a small flock of Meadow Pipits, a species which leaves us for the summer. Starlings are still in large packs, though many, of course, are breeding; Lapwings are only just beginning their nests. The hedges are as black as in the winter, and I do not see the flies about them which accompany the opening of the leaf. Under such circumstances one can hardly expect the summer birds; but it would be interesting to know where they are, and what doing.— (Kingham, Chipping Norton).

Observations on Birds during the exceptional severe Spring in Aberdeen.—Towards the end of March there was an unusual tameness of those birds frequenting the neighbourhood of farm-buildings, which indicated a continuance of severe weather at a later date of the year than is usual. While the general variety made their appearance at the late date, and were very tame, one bird which appears during snowstorms earlier in the year, the Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), was not observed, except by a few stragglers. While the weather has been severe and the snow prolonged, there have not been many birds destroyed by starvation. Lapwings have evidently not been much disturbed, although there has been repetitions of severe frosts since they arrived. Partridges have been put to considerable straits, if we may judge by their tameness. Their haunts have been more closely covered with snow than is at all usual, and we find a wintery stillness following bird-life well into the spring of the year, when we are accustomed to hear melodies from many throats. Is this a sequel to the singing of the Sky-Lark in October of 1899, and does the cold snow-clad ground delay the melodies of this great songster? Pairing, which always accompanies an early spring, has also been retarded by the struggle for existence, packing having replaced the usual pairing