written several years ago. What I am prepared to say now is,—and my opinion on such a point is, perhaps, hardly of much importance,—that so long as the birds are only put on the wing to the lure, and exhibited at rest (surrounded by all the tackle, means, and appliances of Falconry), no burlesque need be dreaded; but a most interesting and instructive lesson is offered to those who care to learn the first principles of the sport, with the view possibly of some day taking it up in earnest.—Peregrine.
Correction of Error.—In Capt. Dugmore's article in the last number of 'The Zoologist,' several typographical errors occurred, for which he is not responsible. In the hope that some at least may have escaped detection, we refrain from pointing them out, and take the blame for their occurrence entirely on ourselves.—Ed.
Natural History Notes from Poole.—The past year, so far as I have been able to observe, was not distinguished for many events interesting in an ornithological point of view. The mildness of the winter was, I suppose, the reason of the particularly poor show of wild fowl with which we were favoured last year. A similar mildness this year has produced a similar result. The winter of 1876–77 was noteworthy for the numbers of Great Northern Divers and Grebes (chiefly the Sclavonian Grebe) which frequented the mouth of the harbour. This year, 1877–78, there have been scarcely any. In the spring, also, the various migratory waders, such as Godwite and Grey Plovers, were unusually scarce—a great contrast to the previous year, when the Godwits in their red dress, an unusual sight on our mud-flats, were very plentiful. A fine Crested Grebe was seen in the harbour at the end of April, in perfect adult plumage. I also observed a very nice-looking Garganey, or Summer Teal. I believe a brood or two are usually hatched off in this neighbourhood. In May I came across a breeding-place of the Kinged Plover, situated on a gravel spit. I found twenty eggs here in about an hour. A pair of Ovstercatchers, from their actions, had evidently a nest here as well, but I did not find it. There are two breeding-places, at hast, of the Black-headed Gull in the vicinity of the harbour—one at Littlesea, between the harbour and Studland Bay; the other in a heath-pond made for ducks by Mr. Calcraft, of Kempstone. As the season advanced, numerous family parties of ducks came down to the mudflats, and with them a good show of Teal, which assembled in considerable numbers by the 1st August; but, after having been shot at for a day or two, they departed to the numerous ponds, such as those at Crichel, Morden Park, Littlesea, &c, where they are strictly preserved; and as there has been no hard weather to drive them out, we have not seen them since. In September, a few waders, such as Redshanks, Knots, Godwits, Curlew Sandpipers, Ac., made their appearance, hut only in small numbers. I killed a dozen Knots and six Curlew Sandpipers at one shot.
