Note on the occurrence of the Tree Sparrow at Tilford, Surrey. I saw during last winter a great number of the tree sparrow in a field at Tilford: we have always considered this bird an unfrequent visitor: on examining the craws of about twenty individuals I only found one which contained any corn—two or three barleycorns; those of the others contained upwards of fifty seeds of weeds which were growing in the neighbouring fields: the same was the case with the bramblings.—Id. Note on the Woodcock's breeding in the Holt Forest, Hampshire. I have known the woodcock to breed in the Holt Forest for the last ten or twelve years, although they are perhaps scarcely so numerous now as they were a few years back: I recollect about eight years ago there were two broods in one enclosure.—Id.
Note on the Crossbill's breeding in the Holt Forest. Four or five years ago the Scotch firs in the Holt Forest were cut out, to allow more room for the growth of the young oaks: when the trees were thrown, four nests of the crossbill were found in their topmost forks: the nests and eggs had much the appearance of those of the greenfinch. Since the firs were cut I am not aware that a single crossbill has been seen in the forest.—Id.
Note on the occurrence of the Wood Sandpiper at Penzance. On the 21st instant a male specimen of the wood sandpiper (Totanus glareola) was shot on the sea shore, immediately below the town of Penzance. I am not aware of the occurrence of this species in this neighbourhood at an earlier period of the year than the above date, although I have an example which I obtained in the middle of December, 1837, and would, in all probability, have remained through the winter if permitted to live. I suspect that this perennial trait is accidental rather than specific, inasmuch as the individuals which have come under my notice have occurred at the periods of the year when a migratory movement may be looked for. Thus, on the 20th of May, 1840, a female was killed at the Land's End, in which were the rudiments of eggs. In June, in the same year, another was killed in the same locality; and in the month of August, in the same year, a flock of seven were all killed in the same parish, which proved to be birds of the year, characterized by the dorsal spots being tinged with buff" yellow, the colour in adult birds being pure white. At this period of the year, I have observed that birds of the Tringa, Totanus and Limosa genera, which migrate from the Continent, as well as from our own county—northward, to breed, commence their return movement very early in the autumn, and the first flights consist almost entirely of the young birds of the then year. I may instance especially the knot and the bar-tailed godwit, in illustration of these remarks, as applicable to our western shores; and what I have said respecting the wood sandpipers will, I expect, be received as exemplifying the genus Totanus, but I may add also, that all the specimens of the Tot. calidris obtained at this season of the year, in this neighbourhood, have been always or nearly always in immature plumage, the feathers being margined with white.—Edwd. Hearle Rodd; Penzance, April 24, 1843.
Note on the occurrence of the Squacco Heron near Penzance. The week before last a very interesting specimen of the squacco heron was brought to me, in a far more adult state of plumage than those (and there have been two) that have come under my notice, as killed in Cornwall. The occipital and dorsal plumes, in the present individual, had commenced their development, and I observed that an active, although partial, moult was taking place. I say moult, but perhaps if I were to say accession of feathers it would be more strictly correct, as I could not observe that the plumage displayed any raggedness or feebleness of feather, which is to be seen at the autumnal