PiOTES W. PERCJVAL WESTELL.

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1 PiOTES ROOKS BUILDING IN CHIMNEYS. MY attention was drawn this spring to fifteen Rooks' nests which were built in chimneys at Three Counties Asylum, Arlesey, Bedfordshire. It appears that these birds have been in the habit of doing this for, at least, five years past. There is a rookery and suitable nest trees close by, but these particular birds apparently prefer a chimney as a nesting site. The accumulation of twigs and other material became so great this spring that it was impossible to light fires as the chimneys refused to draw. Consequently, the nests were all taken out and the top of the chimneys wired over. I secured a nest, with a clutch of five smoky eggs, for the Letchworbh Museum as a memento of this interesting event. W. PERCJVAL WESTELL. CETTI'S WARBLER IN SUSSEX. AN example of Cetti's Warbler (Cettia c. cetti) was shot at Westfield, Sussex, on June 21st, The bird, which was examined in the flesh by Mr. T. Parkin of Hastings, proved on dissection to be a male. I met with this Warbler in some numbers in the south of France in January 1914, and the bird in question, which was shown to me, closely resembles a specimen which I obtained there. Mr. Witherby has since seen and compared the bird obtained at Westfield, and finds that it is of the typical form. G. V. WEBSTER. BLUETHROAT IN SUSSEX. ON September 28th, 1916, the wind being from the south-east, I identified an immature Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) on the Eastbourne Crumbles. The bushes here are not very thick, and I was able to see very plainly the light eyestripe of the bird as well as the red of the tail. The Bluethroat seems to be an infrequent visitor to Sussex, and the local taxidermist, Mr. Bates, has no Sussex record of the bird, nor had his father. E. C. ARNOLD. LATE NESTING OF SWALLOW IN CHESHIRE. ON September 13th, 1916, I found a nest containing four young Swallows (Chelidon r. rustica). They were only half

2 138 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. X. fledged and up to the 16th had not left the nest. The nest was situated on a rafter in a hayloft, at Bredbury, Cheshire. The old birds went in and out through an open window. FRED. W. DEWHURST. fit is not unusual to find young Swallows still in the nest up to the end of August, but instances of September broods are much less common. Mr. W. E. Teschemaker has recorded finding a brood of young in a nest in a cave on the Manx coast on September 6th (ZooL, 1887, p. 373) and at Great Thurlow, Suffolk, I watched young birds in a nest daily till September 15, 1891, on which day they flew. The late Robert Service noticed Swallows about their nests up to October 17, 1882, and on examining the nests on the following day, one had apparently been just vacated by the young, while Ihe other contained eggs on the point of hatching, which were, however, subsequently deserted (ZooL, 1883, p. 124\. Mr. H. E. Forrest mentions a pair remaining at Ironbridge with their } r oung after the bulk had left till October 20, 1910 (Caradoc <b Sev. Valley F. C. Record for 1910, p. 18.) F. C. R. JotTRDATN.] NUMBERS OF YOUNG IN BROODS OF SWALLOWS IN LANCASHIRE IN 1915 AND HAVING given the percentage for broods of Swallows near Lancaster for several years (cf. Vol. IV., p. 249 ; Vol. V., p. 135 ; Vol. VI., p. 254; Vol. VII., p. 172 and Vol. IX., p. 71), I now append details for the two summers of 1915 and The year 1915 was the best I ever remember for Swallows, not only as far as actual numbers were concerned, but also for large broods. In Vol. IX., p. 71, I mentioned the large broods during the month of June, and now add that during July, of thirteen nests visited, three contained five young, and the remaining ten, four young apiece. No nest visited during these two months contained less than four young. The average brood for these two months was 4.65, 50 per cent, having full broods. Comparing this with 1911, which was a good year, we have 4.4 as the average brood, with 45 per cent, of nests containing full broods. The summer of 1916 was a very bad one for Swallows, as far as actual numbers were concerned, although the average per brood of four was a very fair one. During June, of fourteen nests visited, seven contained five young, five held four apiece, and two had broods of three each. Of a like number of nests visited in July, five held broods of five, six contained four each, whilst three nests contained broods of

3 VOL. X.] NOTES. 139 three. During August fourteen nests were also visited. None of these contained full broods, seven containing four young, and a like number three apiece. There were no broods of six seen in 1916, but twelve nests out of the fortytwo visited held broods of five each, or 28.5 per cent., the average brood per nest being four. The following table gives the percentages since 1909, with the exception of the year 1914 when I was absent from home Broods of Nests. six and more. n (June and July only.) Bronds of five Percentage of broods of five or more Average brood H. W. ROBINSON. LARGE INCREASE IN NESTING HOUSE-MARTINS IN LANCASHIRE IN 1915 AND UP to the year 1914 the number of nesting House-Martins (Hirundo u. urbica) was becoming less and less every year in the north-west of England at any rate, so much so that it only seemed a matter of a few years before they would be looked upon as a rare nesting species here. But the summers of 1915 and 1916 have seen them back once more in their old numbers of fifteen and twenty years ago. Under the eaves of buildings where once they used to nest, were again to be seen long rows of seventeen and twenty up to thirty nests. Incidentally it may be mentioned that the parasites which infest them known as Stenopteryx hirundinis have been more numerous than ever. Whereas each nestling up to 1914 harboured one or two, or at most three of these creatures, in 1915 and 1916 they swarmed, it being not unusual to find up to a dozen on each nestling. H. W. ROBINSON. FOUR EGGS IN A NIGHTJAR'S NEST. AT the Oological dinner recently held in London, I exhibited a set of four eggs of the Nightjar (Caprimulgus e. europaeus) taken from the same nest at the same time. The nest was found in June of the present year in north Norfolk.

4 140 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. X. Some of those present at the dinner were disposed to doubt the possibility of these eggs being the product of the same female ; but as I am strongly of the opinion that this was the case. I think it might be of interest to some of the readers of British Birds to hear some further details. The eggs of the Nightjar as a rule show remarkable variety as between clutch and clutch; but these four eggs are curiously even in shape, size, and coloration. Again it is utterly improbable to my mind, that a Nightjar for no reason at ail should elect to lay in a nest already occupied : and almost equally unlikely that if the first female came to grief, the male bird would bring his second mate to a nest already containing two eggs, or that she would lay therein. Apart from these reflections, however, I was anxious to have a careful comparison made between my eggs, and a larger series than I am able to boast of in my small collection. I accordingly requested Mr. P. F. Bunyard to examine them for me, and to compare them with his series of Nightjars' eggs (probably one of the finest series in Europe). Mr. Bunyard kindly undertook to do this, and I was gratified to find that bis opinion coincided with my own. His observations seem to make it quite clear that these eggs are a genuine " four " from the same female, and the following quotations from his subsequent letter to me, will show the grounds on which his opinion is based. Mr. Bunyard says, " The eggs have now had time to dry out, and after very carefully comparing them with my series, I have not the slightest hesitation in saying they are from the same bird. Numbering the eggs 1, 2, 3, and 4, numbers 1, 2, and 3, are of exactly the same type. Number 3 is perceptibly different in shape to numbers 1 and 2; the ground colour is, however, identical, as is also the colour of surface and underlying pigment. Number 4 is somewhat smaller. This is quite a common case in clutches of two Nightjar, and is probably the last egg laid. The evidence is strongly in favour of this with egg number 4, as the pigment is less dense, and there is also less gloss (i.e. less of the outermost glutinous layer). There is also a penumbra to the surface markings, pointing to gradual loss of pigment. As regards the state of incubation, though the eggs arrived partly blown, there was sufficient evidence left to enable me to form an opinion that the four eggs were in two stages of incubation : numbers 1 and 2 being four or five days in advance of the others." In conclusion, I may add that double clutches of eggs are by no means unknown, though a case has not, I believe, been previously recorded in the Nightjar. In some of the

5 VOL. X.] NOTES. 141 Liniicoline birds, however, such as the Greenshank, Redshank, and Lapwing, where eight eggs are not very infrequently found in a nest, it is sometimes clearly the result of two females. But I have seen twelve eggs in a Moorhen's nest, while a laying from two hens would produce about sixteen eggs. Mr. Bunyard tells me he has seen six eggs of the Black-headed Gull in one clutch, " obviously the product of one female," and that Mr J. M. Goodall possesses a genuine " eight" of Woodcock. Many Oologists could probably supply other instances. CLIFFORD BORRER, UNUSUAL SITE FOR KINGFISHER'S NEST. There are two reservoirs at Ynis-y-fro near Newport, Mon. an upper and a lower one. These are separated by a dam, which is pierced by a tunnel, in which are laid two pipes to convey water from one reservoir to the other. The tunnel is about four and a half feet high by three and a half feet wide, and the pipes rest on masonry supports which are raised at intervals a few inches off the floor. The pipes are placed close to one side and are not embedded in the masonry. The entrance of the tunnel was closed with boards in which, were two or three holes three or four inches in diameter. A pair of Kingfishers (Aleedo i. ispida) last summer nested in the tunnel, laying their eggs on one of the masonry supports close to the pipe, which of course projected outwards and upwards over them, the pipes being about fourten inches in diameter. Four eggs were laid and three young successfully reared. R. C. BANKS. CUCKOOS' EGGS AND NESTLINGS IN THIS year Cuckoos were as plentiful in the Felsted district as usual, and with the assistance of various members of the Scientific Society twenty-four nests containing eggs or young were found. The species victimized were Hedge-Sparrow (15), Pied Wagtail (5), Robin (2), Sedge-Warbler (1), Reed- Warbler (1). One egg was infertile ; this is only the fourth infertile Cuckoo's egg mot with out of all I have seen. A mouse entered one nest and destroyed the Hedge-Sparrow's eggs first. Previous to this I have always found the largest egg taken first in such cases. Of the fourteen young that I kept under observation, ten survived the nestling stage a very good percentage compared with former years (c/., Vols. VI., pp ; VII., pp ; VIII., p. 118; IX., pp. 96-7). M

6 142 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. X. The circumstances attending the finding of one of the eggs are perhaps worth recounting. One of the boys was coming to early school (May 15} at the Junior School and saw a Cuckoo fly out of the fence round the playing field. He looked at the spot and found a Hedge-Sparrow's nest containing four eggs and a Cuckoo's egg. This egg hatched on May 22nd. It must therefore have been incubated for at least five days before the boy found it, but whether the Cuckoo seen had any connexion with the egg, it is impossible to say. Another Cuckoo was interesting because when Hedge- Sparrows had half reared it a pair of Linnets joined them. This is the third case of double foster-parentage that has come under my notice. One Wagtail's nest had six eggs as ivell as the Cuckoo's egg. The last nestling I had under observation was taken by a cat during the night of July 23/24 ; it was then ten days old and was probably from one of the last eggs laid near here, as we did not hear the Cuckoo after June 29th. J. H. OWEN. HABITS OF YOUNG AND POSSIBLE DOUBLE-BROOD OF COMMON BUZZARD. ME. J. H. OWEN'S interesting account of the " Flap-dance " executed by the nestlings of a Sparrow-Hawk reminds me of a very similar performance which I witnessed at the nest of a Common Buzzard (Buteo b. buteo). I had the two occupants of this nest under close observation for many hours during the last week before they went out into the world. From time to time, at very irregular intervals, a bird would rise and stretch its wings to their full extent high above its back and then springing up about six inches from the nest would do "an " about-turn " in mid-air and land facing in the opposite direction. Some flapping of the wings accompanied the action, but the jump appeared to come from the legs, which were held out stiff while in the air. The action was repeated as many as ten times, till perhaps the bird was giddy (1 saw nothing, I believe, but a " right about turn ", and then after a short rest it was at it again. I did not regard the performance as an aid to digestion, though it usually followed a meal; once however, it was gone through when the supply of food had run very short. This " Flap-dance " was indulged in by one nestling only, the smaller of the two ; his companion with whom by the way, he was on the best of terms had begun to indulge in short flights from the nest,

7 VOL, X.] NOTES. 148 and at such times he would appear to be seriously considering the venture himself, but unable to summon courage for more than a " flap-dance." In connection with this note, it may here be recorded that the date when the nest was finally left by both birds was August Wih, 1914, and that the same nest (in a tree) had contained eggs in the preceding April; as these were not interfered with, there is every reason to believe that in this ease two broods were reared in the year. I may add that the same nest was again utilised in April of 1916, when I revisited it. A. H. MACHBLL COX. GREEN-WINGED TEAL WITH FOUR WINGS. ME. C. E. JOHNSON discusses in The Auk (1915, pp , pi. xxvii-xxix) a very interesting case of a wild-shot American Green-winged Teal (Anas c, carolinemis) with four wings. The bird was an adult female and was shot in November, 1914, near Wyoming, Minnesota. It appeared to have no difficulty in flying. By the courtesy of the editor of The Auk we are able to reproduce a photograph of the bird after it had been stuffed. Describing the bird's " external features," Mr. Johnson states that the two sides are essentially alike in external appearance, and proceeds: " When the primarywings are raised, the supernumerary wings appear as a miniature set springing from the under-side of the former at the region of the elbow, presenting corresponding surfaces and with divisions of forearm and hand clearly indicated. The feathery covering shows no modifications representing flight feathers, but consists of under wing-coverts, which belong primarily to the feather tracts of the normal pair." Apparently, complete flexion or extension of the supernumerary wings could not take place. " When the primarywings are folded in place against the body, the tips of the smaller set project beyond their margins ventrally as a pair of inconspicuous feather tufts.... The.accessory wings may possibly during life have interfered somewhat with the folding of the larger pair, though in the dead bird this is not apparent." Mr. Johnson then proceeds to discuss the skeleton and the muscles and nerves, and finally the question of causes, but for these details we must refer those of our readers who are interested to the original. Mr. Johnson states that he has found no record of any avian abnormality similar to the case described. He gives a short bibliography relative to accessory digits and

8 144 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. x. other abnormalities, but he has omitted to mention the extraordinary case reported in the Field (4. I. 13, p. 44) and referred to by us (B.B. VI., p. 284), of a Red Grouse with an accessory digit to which were attached three GREEN-WINGED TEAL WITH [FOUR WINGS. (From " THE AUK.") accessory primaries. In a recent issue of The Auk, (1916, p. 439) Mr. W. H. Bergtold points out that in Bland-Sutton's Evolution and Disease, an illustration is given of a dove with an accessory wing. POSSIBLE NESTING OF QUAIL IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE. ON July 10th, 1916, in the Cambridge district, Mr. W. Farren and I heard a Quail (Cotumix c. coturnix) calling in a large rough pasture. We walked over to the place and flushed the bird. From the date and place it seemed likely that it might be breeding, although no nest was found. The species has now become very scarce in Cambridgeshire. MATJD D. HAVJLANI>.

9 VOL. X.] NOTES. 145 PROBABLE CARRION-CROW OFF CO. DUBLIN. Mr. G. C. May states (Irish Nat., 1916, p. 100) that he saw at Ireland's Eye on June 15th, 1916, a bird which he took to be Corvus corone, Mr. May's description of the bird would do equally well for a young Rook, but he particularly noted its harsh, gutteral note. SUPPOSED RED-BACKED SHRIKE IN IRELAND. In the Field (17. VI., '16, p. 970) Mr. W. J. E. Dawson states that he discovered a pair of Lanius collurio near Athlone about the end of April, Mr. Dawson has kindly sent us further details of the birds he saw and we feel sure from what he says that he was mistaken in his identification of these birds as Red-backed Shrikes. LESSER WHITETHROAT BREEDING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND CUMBERLAND AND PROBABLY IN KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE Mr. G. Bolam states (Scot. Nat., 1916, p. 264) that he discovered this year (1916) at least three pairs of Sylvia c. curruca breeding in north and south Tynedale. In two cases the young were duly reared. Mr. Bolam also states that he observed a Lesser Whitethroat from June 4th to 8th at Kirkclaugh. This bird was in full song and although he did not find a nest, Mr. Bolam considers the bird was breeding there. CONTINENTAL REDBREAST IN FIFESHIRE. Miss E. V. Baxter and Miss L. J. Rintoui record (Scot. Nat., 1916, p. 265) the occurrence of an example of Erithacus r. rubecula at the mouth of Cambo burn on April 24th, This form had not previously been noted in the Tay area. WRYNECK IN ABERDEENSHIRE. Mr. A. L. Thomson records (Scot. Nat., 1916, p. 239) that a male Jynx t. torquilla was sent to the Aberdeen LTniversity in the middle of May 1916 from the district of Fraserburgh where it had apparently been captured alive about that time. GREAT CRESTED GREBES BREEDING IN EAST FIFESHIRE. Although known for some time to breed in the western part of Fifeshire Colymbus c. cristatus has not hitherto been found nesting in the east of that county. Miss E. V. Baxter and Miss L. J. Rintoui, however, now make the interesting announcement (Scot. Nat., 1916, p. 264) that this year, (1916) they found two and possibly three pairs breeding on Kilconqiihar Loeh. BLACK-TAILED GODWITS IN IRELAND. In the course of some " Notes on Irish Birds " (Zool., 1916, p. 351) the Rev. J. M. McWilliam states that an example of Limosa limosa

10 146 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. X. was brought to him on April 26th, 1906, at Ballinamore, co. Leitrim. It was said to have been shot out of a large flock at Garadice Lake. In August, 1912, in eo. Monaghan, Mr. McWilliam and his brother shot one out of four, and a few days later saw two more in the same neighbourhood. ROSEATE TERN OFF CO. WEXFORD. Prof. C. J. Patten records (Irish Nat, 1916, p. 120) that an adult female Sterna dougallii was picked up dead on the Tuskar Rock on May 7th. 1916, and forwarded to him. LITTLE GULL IN LANARKSHIRE. Mr. J. Robertson states (Scot, Nat., 1916, p. 240) that he and Mr. D. Macdonald saw an immature Larus minutus from May 16th to 21st, 1916, on the Kelvin river near Summerston. The bird is scarce on the west coast of Scotland. SCANDINAVIAN LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL IN FIFBSHIRE. On July 9th, IS 16, Miss E. V. Baxter and Miss L. J. Rintoul saw in Largo Bay a Lesser Black-backed Gull with a " coalblack mantle " standing with four or five of the British form Larus f. aifvnis. No doubt this bird was an example of the typical L. /. Justus (Scot, Nat, 1916, p. 265). WATER-RAIL AT ST. KILDA. With reference to Dr. W. E. Clarke's recent record of a Water-Rail at St. Kilda (ef. antea, p. 70), Dr. J. Wiglesworth points out (Scot. Nat., 1916, p. 241) that the first recorded visit of the bird to St. Kilda was on November 3rd, 1903, when an example was captured and sent to him.