Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/131

Rh the bark of which had many scratches on it made by the Woodpecker's claws. The eggs are glossy white; as many as seven were on one occasion taken at Hempstead, but I cannot remember now what sort of tree the hole was in. I believe this species to be very omnivorous, and have even once known an instance of its eating young birds, as well as the larva of the Leopard Moth.

8th.—Great Flight of Pigeons.—For several days past large arrivals of Wood-Pigeons have been noticed, probably from Scotland, where I am told there have been great numbers. They are destructive birds, and have this summer completely cleared a garden at Northrepps of peas. Generally they prefer turnips and acorns, and have no objection to acorns which have begun to sprout. Their crops are very dilatable, and they can easily stow away thirty or forty large acorns, or five hundred black ivy berries without inconvenience, or two or three wineglasses of oats or elder berries. In fact, there is nothing they will not eat—roots, green crops, cereals, from the time they are sown to the time they are harvested, are at their mercy. With such qualities, this increasing species should be kept in check wherever practicable.

11th.—From about 7.30 a.m., or earlier, to 8.45 a.m., Wood-Pigeons at the rate of forty per minute were passing my house, most of them in flocks of from twenty to forty, flying at an average height of about two hundred feet, and all going N.W., against the wind, which was light. I never saw so many here before, and think the whole country-side must have furnished contingents. It had been fine, but at 11 a.m. it began to rain, and poured all day without ceasing, and by 9 o'clock next morning there was 1·55 in the rain-gauge. This was the biggest downpour of the year, and to it no doubt the movement of Pigeons was due.

12th.—Again, at the same time in the morning, flocks of Pigeons were to be seen going N.W., but the total was very much less than yesterday. Shooters were not slow in availing themselves of so many "Cushat doos," and at Weston, Witchingham, and Morston bags of nearly one hundred were made in a few hours. It was to this line of country that they seemed to be confined, correspondents at Cromer, where there are large woods, reporting only a few, while Mr. Penn, who was shooting Zool. 4th ser. vol. VI., March, 1902.