taken it had become comparatively tame and accustomed to confinement.— J. Steele-Elliott (Clent, Worcestershire).
Great Grey Shrike at Scarborough.—On Dec. 30th a Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor) was killed on the shore a little to the north of Scarborough. The bird had apparently just arrived, and was making its way towards the cliff when first noticed.—W.J. Clarke (44, Huntriss Row, Scarborough).
Strange Nest of a South African Bush Shrike.—I found a nest of the Pied Bush Shrike (Bradyornis silens) near the Fountains, Pretoria, Transvaal, on Nov. 6th, 1898. The nest was about eight feet from the ground, in the fork of the stem of a small thorn tree. It was built purely of twine. I examined it carefully, but could not find any other material used in its construction. The inside was lined with small white feathers. It contained three eggs of a pale green colour, splashed with red at the larger ends.—Alex. Ross (Johannesburg, Transvaal).
[Fountain Grove is a short distance from Pretoria, and is a favourite resort. There is a hostelry there, many picnics held, and many corks drawn. Hence the twine.—Ed.]
Scoters in Hants and Isle of Wight.—Mr. Percival-Westell's note on these birds (Œdemia nigra), appearing in your last December number (p. 505), rather puzzles me. Knowing the localities mentioned well for a number of years, I have found the provincial name of "Isle of Wight Parsons" applied to Cormorants, and though frequently having met with Scoters, their flight has been of such a character that a description of them as "lazily winging their way" would require some qualification. Since 1866 I could number the instances of having met with them on my fingers, but out of the breeding season they are met with frequently by the shore boatmen, who usually describe them to me as "some of them 'ere Scouter Ducks." In November last year I had one close to me diving amongst the rocks between Bonchurch and Shanklin, and a party of five flew by me out by the wreck of the 'Eurydice' in March, 1878. However plentiful Scoters may be, they are not generally known as "Isle of Wight Parsons," nor do they breed there.—H. Marmaduke Langdale (The Vicarage, Compton, Petersfield).
Scoters in South Hants?.—When I wrote that the Scoter (Œdemia nigra) was called the "Isle of Wight Parson" (Zool. 1898, p. 505), I was fully aware that the common Cormorant was subject to the same appellation, and I should have stated this in the first instance. In spite of Mr. A.G. Headley's assertions, I still adhere to the fact that I saw the common Black Scoter every day during my fourteen days' vacation in the
