Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/415

Rh solitary bird up to the 9th. I have a record of hearing the note of these birds up to about June 28th, and they were seen up to August 7th. I saw a solitary bird as late as August 25th; it was a slate-coloured example, and seemed to be an adult from its appearance. I observed the first young one on June 5th. There were a few young about, exhibiting the usual variety in the colour of the plumage. In fact, there might be as many young as usual, but certainly no permanent increase in numbers as was observed in former seasons. A favourable season next year might lead them on a little further, for the adults were not numerous, and, owing to the cold weather, many may have remained in a milder climate than here. The Twite (Linota flavirostris) was still the only foster-parent; while I failed to get any further particulars as regards the movements in connection with the young of the foster-parents.— (Alford, Aberdeen, N.B.).

Sooty Tern in Lancashire.—I have recently had an opportunity of examining a Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) in adult plumage, which is said to have been found alive in Hulme, one of the most densely populated districts in Manchester, on the 9th of October, 1901. The bird is in the possession of a man named Nuttall, who told me that when passing along Denbigh Street soon after dawn, in pursuit of his calling as a "knocker-up," his attention was attracted by a black and white bird, which was lying on its back, and struggling feebly. Nuttall, who takes some interest in birds, has at different times picked up dead or exhausted migrants in the streets in the early hours, and has a small collection of birds which he has shot on the outskirts of the city. In the dim light he mistook the Tern for a Lapwing which had come to grief among the telegraph-wires, but a closer examination showed it to be "some sort of Sea-Swallow" with which he was unacquainted. The bird died in his hand, and the local taxidermist to whom he took it was unable to name it for him. When skinned it showed no sign of injury, but proved to be in very poor condition, and had apparently died from exhaustion after buffeting with the boisterous weather which had culminated in a gale from the south on the night before it was found. After it had been set up it was exhibited at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club on Nov. 20th, by Mr. Howard Saunders. It is a matter for regret that the Tern was not submitted in the flesh to some competent authority, but its history as related to me by Nuttall and the man who stuffed it appears to be quite satisfactory.— (Knutsford).