Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/308

280 five eggs and the remains of a sixth, which had been broken probably by being trodden upon by a sheep. The nest was deserted, the remaining eggs being glued to the nest by the contents of the sixth, the spaces between the eggs being occupied by a small growth of mildew. The amount of down in this nest was much less than that in the first, but still there was quite enough to surely identify the eggs by, the down being quite characteristic, and wholly unlike that of the Common Teal. I have suspected that this bird bred in Romney Marsh for some years, ever since having been told by a former resident there that a pair or two of Garganeys generally turned up at a certain spot about the 1st of May every year, but that so far as he knew they did not breed.— (Winstowe, St. Leonards-on-Sea).

Little Crake in Shropshire.—A specimen of this rare bird (Porzana parva) was shot in November, 1898, by Mr. Tatton at Petton Park, seven miles north of Shrewsbury. It was lately recognized by my friend Mr. W. H. Hodges. Subsequently Mr. Tatton lent me the specimen, and I exhibited it at a meeting of the Caradoc Club. Mr. Howard Saunders has also seen it, and confirmed the identification. The occurrence is especially interesting since no authentic records are known, I believe, for any of the western counties north of Somerset.— (Shrewsbury).

The Tameness of unmolested Birds.—In a letter received last month (May 10th) from my friend the Rev. A.F. Day, S.J., he gives me some graphic accounts of the confidence shown by wild birds to the inmates of St. Benno's College, St. Asaph, N.W., where theology is the passion rather than zoology, and where skins and eggs are presumably not collected. He writes:—"Nearly all the Robins come freely on to the hand to take the food that is offered them; several will pick it out most dexterously from between the lips. The general accomplishment of cock Chaffinches is to catch fragments thrown up into the air, and one or two (at least) come on to the hand almost as confidently as the Robins; but now that nature's provision is plentiful we more seldom succeed with them or the other occasional birds. The Hedge-Sparrows have lately taken to stepping on to one's hands if lowered towards the ground, and it is with considerable assurance for such modest little creatures. The Coal-Tits have never been shy, but it was considered something of a triumph to get the Blue Tit to follow their example; and now there is even one Ox-eye (Great Tit) that does likewise—him I had on my hand yesterday. Such are the main facts connected with the St. Benno's natural aviary (I mean grounds). A short time ago I had a Coal-Tit firmly perched on my fingers for what seemed at least a minute, whilst excavating half an almond held between my thumb and forefinger. If you don't believe above, come and verify it."—