The Zoologist/4th series, vol 3 (1899)/Issue 702/Notes and Queries
NOTES AND QUERIES.
AVES.
Abundance of the Song-Thrush near Bradford.—The chief ornithological feature of the year in this district has been the immense number of Song-Thrushes (Turdus musicus) which have bred, in marked contrast to the years 1880 and 1881. As a rule, even in mild winters and late autumn, not many are to be seen here; but on the approach of spring, mostly in February, immigrants arrive, many of which withdraw sooner or later, according to the state of the weather, to breed probably in higher latitudes. This year, at the beginning of February, a larger number arrived than usual; most of the fields in the neighbourhood of woods were literally covered, and, contrary to what usually occurs, a large majority remained to breed. Having visited the woods almost daily during the breeding season, one could not fail to be struck with their abundance; indeed, it was a matter of common knowledge even to casual observers, and we hardly ever came into contact with any gamekeeper who did not repeatedly mention this fact. Another peculiarity was that a greater proportion of nests were built on the ground, and had larger clutches of eggs than in average years. If boisterous winds prevail in early spring a greater proportion of nests are built on or nearer the ground, or on more shielded places than would otherwise be the case; but, taking this factor alone into consideration, will not account for the exceptional phenomena of the present year. It is hardly conceivable that this large addition in numbers was bred here last year, and we cannot account for it except on the supposition that for some reason or other these birds remained here to breed, but under more favourable conditions would have bred in more northern latitudes. It would appear that some species of birds are more prolific in the north, and it is not at all unreasonable to suppose that many species of birds would be less strictly arboreal in their habits; but, be this as it may, the fact recorded requires explanation. It would be interesting to ascertain what are the habits of this species in more northern latitudes. Five eggs is the usual clutch in this district, but frequently four is the complement. Six is an exceptional number (one instance only this year has come to our knowledge), but even this latter number is sometimes exceeded. Whilst on this subject it may be said en passant how very different are the habits of some species of birds even within a very limited area. An immense number of Missel-Thrushes' nests have come under our observation, but never one, in this district, has been built in any other situation than either in trees or bushes, very seldom comparatively in the latter. On the other hand, this species breeds not uncommonly in walls on the moors a little to the north of Bolton Woods, in Wharfedale, which are also well wooded—chiefly pine and larch with little or no underwood—and only some twenty miles in a bee-line north of this place. Both the Song- and Missel-Thrush are met with in much more varying numbers during the breeding season than the Blackbird, and in winter—even the severest winters—a much greater number of the latter remain compared with the number which obtains during the breeding season.—E.P. Butterfield (Wilsden, near Bradford).
Abnormal Nesting Sites of the Willow-Wren.—With reference to Dr. A.G. Butler's note on highly-placed nests of the Chiffchaff, I may mention that I have frequently found them situated as much as four feet from the ground, but never higher; a pair built for several years in succession in the top of a box-tree, a little over four feet, in the garden of a friend of mine. During the last spring and summer I have seen three nests of the Willow-Wren (Phylloscopus trochilus) in situations which, in the case of two of them, are unique in my experience. One was placed five feet from the ground in a spruce-fir, surrounded by a wild rose bush, built on a flat bough of the spruce, and entwined in the twigs of the rose. Of the other two, which were within a mile of each other, one was placed in an old Marsh-Titmouse's nesting-hole in the top of an old gate-post, 4 ft. 6 in. from the ground; and with regard to the other, a Robin built early in the year in a large hole in a wall five feet from the ground, and safely reared its young. Shortly after the nest was appropriated by a Willow-Wren, which domed over the old nest, and plentifully lined it with feathers. This bird also safely reared her young. I saw all nests, eggs, and old birds, and a friend took excellent photographs of the bird that built in the Robin's nest, feeding her young, in various positions.—Oxley Grabham (Heworth, York).
"Chiffchaff building on the top of small Yew and Box Trees."—In this district Chiffchaffs rarely, if ever, build on the ground; I have found upwards of thirty nests in a season, but have never seen one quite on the ground, although sometimes it is only raised a few inches in brambles or other low-growing plants. I have many times seen nests in box trees from three to six feet high, but have only once found a Willow-Wren's nest that was not on the ground; in this case I caught the female, and sent it to Mr. Dresser to be quite sure of my identification. It has always struck me as very curious how the nesting habits of birds change in different localities. With us the Willow-Wren almost always builds its nest on the ground; in fact, in twenty years I have only once known an exception, whereas on the Spey side last year I found as many nests in bushes, &c, off the ground as I found on it. The highest nest I saw was quite twelve feet from the ground in the ivy on a house. The Chiffchaff with us always breeds on the ground (at least, I know of no exception). Dr. Butler's experience is different.—Heatly Noble (Temple Combe, Henley-on-Thames).
Tree-Creeper nesting in Roof.—During the winter we have often seen a pair of Tree-Creepers (Certhia familiaris) on the big trees on the lawn here, and once or twice they were seen running up the side of the house, which is sand-dashed. On May 17th, when on the lawn, I saw one settle on side of house, and run up the wall; there is a greenhouse standing from the house, the top of the wall being covered with sheet lead, and the bird went in under this. I procured a ladder, and found a nest built on top of bricks against the wall of house. It is within four feet of a bedroom window, and close to the top of one of the drawing-room windows: a snug, dry, and warm place, but an unusual one for a Tree-Creeper.—J. Whitaker (Rainworth, Notts).
Abnormal Nesting Place of Spotted Flycatcher.—Last year (Zool. 1898, p. 429) I recorded the finding of a nest of the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola), built inside that of a Swallow's. It may be interesting to readers to know that on May 11th last, in an old cowshed three hundred yards from the gruff hole, I again found a nest of the Swallow tenanted by Flycatchers; a frail nest was built inside containing three eggs. The sitting bird flying from the nest led to the discovery. It seems remarkable to me that in the same small area, on two occasions, a pair of these birds should occupy a nest of the Swallow for the rearing of their offspring. Of course, I do not know whether they were the same pair of birds. Would this habit be inherited by the offspring?—Stanley Lewis (Wells, Somerset).
Hobby in Westmoreland.—I am sorry to say that a poor little Hobby (Falco subbuteo), an immature bird, was shot by a keeper in Melkinthorpe Wood, Westmoreland, about the 24th of August. The Hobby is of rare occurrence in Lakeland; I do not recall any other specimen as having been killed in Westmoreland, though a few Cumbrian Hobbies exist in local collections. It is possible, nevertheless, that the recent specimen (which I have added to the Carlisle Museum) may have been bred in the district in which it came to its untimely end. Our excellent taxidermist, Mr. Hope, of Penrith, informs me that his father once killed a pair of Hobbies at their nest in Penrith Beacon, and took the eggs from the nest. The eggs were to be seen in a local collection until quite recently.
May I venture to remind distant friends that after Dec. 31st my address will be the Rectory, Pitlochry, Perthshire? I mention it to obviate the necessity of letters being redirected. I shall continue to work for the Carlisle Museum, and to record notes of Lakeland animals; but I shall no longer be an actual resident in Lakeland.—H.A. Macpherson (Allonby, near Maryport).
Black-game in Suffolk.—I have been informed by Sir Cuthbert Quilter that a Blackcock (Tetrao tetrix), in immature plumage, was killed by his son, Mr. Eley Quilter, during a Partridge drive on the Cliff Farm, near Woodbridge, about two miles south-east of the town, at the end of last October. It would be interesting to know the history of this juvenile wanderer.—E.A. Butler (Plumton House, Bury St. Edmunds).
The Moor-hen (Gallinula chloropus) nesting in Trees.—During the past breeding season I found three nests of this species in pollard trees from six to ten feet above the water, all containing eggs. Mr. Summer's gamekeeper in this neighbourhood has lately informed me that on Lord Ilchester's estate he has taken the eggs of the Moor-hen from an old Ring-Dove's nest twenty feet high, in a spruce-fir tree.—Stanley Lewis (Wells, Somerset).
The Storm-Petrel (Procellaria pelagica) flying at Light.—On the night of Nov. 24th, whilst exercising search-lights in Gibraltar Harbour, two Storm-Petrels flew into an officer's cabin through the port. The cabin was situated just beside a search-light, and by it the birds were probably half-blinded, which accounts for their action. The night was dark and stormy. I have never heard of this species behaving in this manner previously, nor have I ever seen it about Gibraltar before.—K. Hurlstone Jones (H.M.S. 'Repulse,' Channel Squadron).
[I captured a specimen of this species on board the U.S. 'Norman,' when returning from the Cape in 1896, at the commencement of the month of October, near the Cape Verde Islands. It was also probably attracted by the many lights, and was easily caught.—Ed.]
Notes from Rainworth.—Late Stay of Fieldfares: We had Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) here at Rainworth till May 15th. Common Scoter: A male of this species (Œdemia nigra) was shot on the large piece of water at Lamb Close, near here, in September, by Mr. Barber. Rough-legged Buzzard: One of these fine birds (Buteo lagopus) was about here in March for six weeks. I saw it several times near the house over the lake, and admired its beautiful flight. One time two Herons were on the wing near it, and looked about the same size.—J. Whitaker (Rainworth, Notts).
PISCES.
Anchovy at Yarmouth.—A very fine example of the Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) was taken in a drift-net amongst Herrings, and brought in on Oct. 2nd; length, 7½ in. Dr. Day says it rarely exceeds 6½ in. Another about the same length was brought to me salted on the 31st. Although the numbers of Herrings taken off Yarmouth this season have beaten the record, fewer stranger fishes, e.g. Shads, Pilchards, and even Sharks, have been caught or seen than in other years; and a similar remark applies to the Cetacea.—A. Patterson (Ibis House, Great Yarmouth).
Food of the Eel.—An excellent observer, Richard Holme, of Rusland, informs me that he has seen an Eel swallow a fresh-water Lamprey, tail first. He has also more than once watched an Eel attempting to catch small Trout (or other young Salmonidæ) by snatching at them as they passed by. Once he saw an Eel actually catch one. These notes refer to the stream known as the Rusland Pool.—Charles F. Archibald (Rusland Hall, Ulverston).
[According to Capt. Williamson, an old well-known angling author, "Eels swallow fishes head-foremost."—Ed.]
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