(M. lugubris), could probably be noticed every year in considerable numbers. With regard to the return passage in autumn, I have only two records from personal experience. About Sept. 10th, 1898, I saw one not far from Porloch; and on Sept. 3rd, 1899, I saw an adult and an immature bird near Weston-super-Mare. These dates are consistent with Mr. Eagle Clarke's statement that "the return passage commences with mid-August, and is over by mid-September."— F.L. Blathwayt (Lincoln).
Water Pipit (Anthus spipoletta) in Sussex.—On Oct. 29th, whilst at Eye Harbour, Sussex, I shot a Pipit which flew over my head in company with another, and which proved to be an immature female specimen of Anthus spipoletta. I sent it to Mr. Howard Saunders for identification, and he kindly exhibited it for me at the November Meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, as I was then abroad. This is, I believe, the eleventh British record, and the sixth for Sussex. Mr. Borrer (cf. 'Birds of Sussex') mentions four, and the fifth for Sussex was obtained atHollington, Sussex, in February, 1900, and exhibited at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club by Mr. N.F. Ticehurst. This species seems to be distinguished from the Rock-Pipit by its whiter breast and under tail-coverts, its slightly browner back, and by having the outer pair of rectrices nearly pure white, as well as a large wedge-shaped white spot on the second pair.—M.J. Nicoll (10, Charles Road, St. Leonards).
Nesting of the Hawfinch in Breconshire.—The Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris), which appears to be increasing in this county, nested here last summer at least once, and probably twice or thrice, though absolute proof of its having done so is only forthcoming in one instance. Like the Cirl Bunting, which was first discovered nesting in Breconshire in 1890, it is, as a resident, evidently extending its range westward. I am not at liberty to name the exact localities where it occurred last summer, as in one case the Wild Birds' Protection Act was infringed, and there are other reasons for not doing so. The nest which was found was situated in the west of the county, in an orchard adjoining a large garden where peas are extensively grown. This is, no doubt, the most westerly point in Wales, and possibly in Great Britain, where the Hawfinch has so far been found to breed. The birds had been previously seen by the finder of the nest about this orchard, and on June 9th last he succeeded in locating it. It was placed on a horizontal branch of an apple tree about fifteen feet from the ground, and contained one typical egg. I went with him shortly afterwards to see the nest, which, viewed from the ground, looked rather like a
