define the position of P. graculus in the fauna of Dorset at the present day. Harold Russell (16, Beaufort Gardens, S,W.).
Hoopoe at Reigate.—On the evening of June 22nd I happened to be wandering in Reigate Park, in Surrey. Entering the park by the gate opening into Bell Street, I had taken the path through the woods to the right near the meadows, and had not gone more than a couple of hundred yards when a bird flew across into the park from the low fields to the right. It settled on the ground about thirty yards off, and I had a good look at it before it flew on. It was a Hoopoe (Upupa epops). The occurrence at Reigate of so rare a visitor should, I think, be recorded.—C.T. Bingham (31, Earl's Court Square, South Kensington).
[This is a most interesting observation. The bird was recorded from the same spot in the 'New Flora of Reigate,' 1856 (cf. ante, p. 347).—Ed.]
Spoonbills at Great Yarmouth.—Scarcely a day has passed since early April to this day of writing (June 21st) but on what one or more Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) have been in sight on Breydon. First one was seen on April 10th, twelve on April 27th, and five more next day—seventeen in all! Seven observed on May 7th; I saw two on May 16th quite near my houseboat, and I sailed up to a couple on May 17th. Two asleep near my houseboat on June 2nd, in company with Saddleback Gull, on most amicable terms. Saw four again on June 7th, which were very tame, and with some two hundred Gulls on a flat quite near the bridge now being built across Breydon. On June 15th observed five being followed and disturbed by a Heron, and on June 21st four were still about.—A. Patterson (Ibis House, Great Yarmouth).
Wigeon breeding in Ireland.—Believing that the Wigeon (Mareca penelope) bred within a few hours' riding of my home, I decided, on May 1st, accompanied by my friend Mr. S. Savage, to make a raid on its breeding-place. We started at five o'clock in the morning on a lovely day. After a long ride and a longer tramp, we at last came on the object of our search—a nest with eleven eggs. The nest was in a dry meadow among rushes, about two hundred yards from a small lake. I also found another nest with three eggs, this time in a wet swamp. Later on Mr. Savage found another nest with nine eggs in a clump of rushes in a very dry meadow. We went home that night with very light hearts, having had, I believe, a very good day's experience. To make sure, I sent some of both down and eggs to Mr. Ussher, and also to Mr. Patterson, which they kindly identified as genuine Wigeon without any doubt. I think this is the first record of the Wigeon breeding in Ireland.—John Cottney (Hillsborough, Co. Down, Ireland).
