Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/351

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In the British Gallery of the National Museum the Harvest Mouse (Mus minutus) is at present unrepresented, on account of the lack of specimens. I therefore venture to ask the kind assistance of readers of 'The Zoologist' in remedying this deficiency. I may add that specimens of all the British Bats, with the exception of the Noctule and the Long-eared species, are likewise wanted for the same gallery. Specimens should be forwarded to me at the Museum.— (British Museum (Natural History) London, S.W.).

Mistle-Thrush attacking Squirrel.—On April 27th last I was noticing the nest of a Mistle-Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) in an oak tree, when a Squirrel by chance passed along the branch on which the nest was; the female (I presume) left the nest and attacked the Squirrel violently, darting furiously at it and screeching loudly, until it had passed on to the next tree; she then squat upon a limb for a few moments, with wings partly extended and drooping, again taking possession of the nest a few minutes afterwards.— (Wells, Somerset).

Crossbills at Shrewsbury.—On June 24th and 25th a number of Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) visited my garden. I counted seventeen in one place, and there were others in different parts. As most of them were young birds, I imagine they have been bred in the neighbourhood. They were wonderfully tame, feeding close to the windows on the seeds of the wych-elm, with which the lawn was covered. I may mention that a pair of these birds frequented my garden in January and February of this year. Probably they had a nest, but I could never find it.— (Merle Brace, Shrewsbury).

Early Appearance of Swift.—The arrival of our summer migrants has in almost every instance been unusually late, and now (May 15th) the Swallow and the two species of Martin are not abundant; but this need not be wondered at when we consider the wintry weather that has prevailed. The Swifts (Cypselus apus) seem to have come in fair numbers, and, strange to say, I saw two on April 26th, which was a very early date, especially Zool. 4th ser. vol. IV., July, 1900.