SECOND REPORT

OF The Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society.

1932.

Edited by B. H. RYVES and G. H. HARVEY.

The Annual Meeting was held at Truro on 1st February, and about 26 members were present. The President took the chair. The President and Officers were re-elected en bloc, and Miss M. R. Moor and Dr. W. J. Stephens were elected members of the Executive Committee in place of Mrs. Bewes and the Rev. A. A. Woodward, who retired pursuant to Rule 6. A recommendation of the Committee that the Bird Competition, offered by the Western Morning News, be in connection with Rook's nests was approved. The rules for the conduct of the Competition, which had already been drafted, were explained and also approved. The meeting expressed its deep appreciation of the kindness and generosity of the Western Morning News in inaugurating such a competition, and for the keen interest it showed at all times in the bird life of the County.

In moving the adoption of the Annual Report for 1931, the President said that the Society had banded together the many keen observers, who previously had been doing valuable work as individuals. This would ensure their work carrying far greater weight. When the members read the bird records which the Report contained, they would find that these alone justified the formation of the Society.

It was decided that a survey be undertaken in 1932 of the distribution of Woodlark, CM Bunting and Corn Bunting, as their status in the County needed elucidation. 2

A resolution was moved and unanimously carried that the Society strongly disapproved of the exhibition of any caged wild British bird that had been taken in a state of nature and especially deprecated the exhibition of the Cornish Chough, a bird in grave danger of extinction and fully protected by law. It was resolved to send copies of the resolution to all Cornish Cage-bird Shows and the R.S.P.C.A.

A vote of thanks to the Royal Institution of Cornwall for the use of a room at the Museum for its meetings was warmly accorded.

The meeting was closed by the reading of a paper entitled " Notes on a family of Spotted Flycatchers" by Mr. C. Nicholson.

The Second General Meeting was held at Truro on 3rd November.

In referring to the recent Rook Competition, inaugurated by the Western Morning News, the President asked Lieut.-Col. Ryves, who had judged the Competition on behalf of Mr. J. L. Palmer, Editor-in-Chief, to give the meeting an account of it. Lieut.-Col. Ryves said that the Competition had proved a great success and aroused much interest. It had given valuable information, not only as regards the number of nests a single tree could hold, but also on the species of trees patronized by Rooks. A full account had appeared in the Western Morning News in its issue of 11th April.

The Competition was for the greatest and second greatest number of occupied Rook's nests discovered in any four trees witnin any Cornish Rookery. All entries had to be submitted by the 1st April, and the number received was very satis­ factory, comprising Rookeries from Callington in the north to the Lizard Peninsula in the south.

The first prize of 3 guineas was awarded to Mr. G. Sweet, a gardener of Penrice, St. Austell. His total of occupied nests in 4 trees of the Rookery was 79, comprised as follows: — 46 in an Insignis Pine, 19 in a Scotch Fir, 7 in a Cornish Elm and 7 in a Horse Chestnut. This entry was unique, in that the greatest number of nests were found to be in 4 different species of trees. #

3

The second prize of 2 guineas was won by Miss Sheila Ford of Pengreep, Redruth, who ran Mr. Sweet very close with a total of 74. Her nests were as follows:—23 and 18 in two old Scotch Firs, 18 in an Insignis Pine and 15 in a Beech. Miss Ford reported the interesting fact that the birds did very useful work in ridding the lawns of quantities of moss with which they lined their nests.

The third largest number of nests was reported by Mr. A. Seymour Cooke, an Associate of the Society, in a rookery in the grounds of Canon Coulthard at Breage. In this rookery there were 46 nests in two Beeches, one Insignis, and one Ash, the latter holding 15 nests.

Mr. P. Hambly of Westcott Farm, Callington, recorded 40 nests in 4 Beeches, stating that there were only 75 nests in the rookery as against 100 to 120 in previous years. This decrease he attributed to senseless persecution by allotment holders, who did not realize that they were destroying valuable allies.

Taking the entries as a whole, evergreen trees proved to be the most favoured as well as the most crowded. Among deciduous trees, Elms appeared to be the most popular, closely followed by Beeches. In all, ten species of trees figured among the entries: —Insignis Pine, Scotch Fir, Ilex, Cornish Elm, Beech, Oak, Ash, Silver Birch, Horse Chestnut and Lime.

The President again stressed the undoubted efficacy with village children of the " Bird and Tree " Competition organized by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. She thought that members should do what they could to forward the adoption of the scheme by the elementary schools in their neighbourhoods. Leaflets explaining the scheme could be had by any member by application to either of the Hon. Secretaries.

The Secretaries announced that copies of the Society's first Annual Report for 1931 were available for issue to new members who were not in possession of it, at cost price of 2/- per copy.

Attention was drawn to the lack of members in some parts of the County, such as the Tintagel, Boscastle, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Fowey and Looe areas. Members who were in a position to do so, were earnestly asked to endeavour to enlist members from these districts. 4

It had been pointed out by Mr. T. J. Willcocks that there was still much regrettable ignorance, particularly among 10/- gun license holders, concerning the dates of " close time " and the protection accorded by the 1932 County Bird Order to certain rare birds and winter visitors, such as Wild Geese, Bittern, Godwits, etc. He had suggested that the Society might affix posters, briefly enumerating the important items of the Bird Order at conspicuous places on certain estuaries which were visited by Geese and the rarer Waders. The expenditure should be well within the Society's means. It was contended that such posters would save the lives of rare birds which might otherwise inadvertently be shot. Mr. Willcock's suggestion was unanimously approved and, after a good deal of discussion, it was decided to leave the arrangements of the necessary details in the hands of the Committee. The meeting was terminated by a very interesting address on " Bird life in Queensland" by Mr. Michael Rogers.

The Executive Committee held four meetings during the year, namely, on 1st February, 29th April, 1st July and 9th December. The Committee desires again to place on record its gratitude for the courtesy of the Royal Institute of Cornwall and of the Curator, Mr. G. Penrose, in placing the Museum at the Society's disposal for all its meetings in 1932.

MEMBERSHIP. We regret to announce the death during the year of Mr. W. Kendall King, Kevor, Cliff Road, Falmouth. The following resignations have been received since the publication of the " List of Members" in the Annual Report for 1931: — Mr. and Mrs. Leake, K-l, Albany, Piccadilly, W.l. Miss Panting, Tolcarne, Mawgan, St. Columb. Mrs. Wolseley, Tolcarne, Mawgan, St. Columb. The subscription for 1932 of one 1931 member has not been received nor has his resignation been notified. In arriving at the total membership at the close of 1932 this name is 5

omitted. The matter is being taken in hand with a view to denning the position. The following new members, have been elected during the year: — Adams, S. H. A., Trenance, Mawgan Porth, St. Columb Minor. Agnew, Comdr., M.P., Polstrong, Camborne. Anderson, B. W., Thatched Cottage, Whyteleafe, Farleigh, Surrey. Anderson, Mrs. I. M., Thatched Cottage, Whiteleafe, Farleigh, Surrey. Barker, Miss W. M., Tregye Cottage, Devoran, Truro. Bickford-Smith, Mrs. G., Trevarno, near Helston. Bickford-Smith, J. C, Trevarno, near Helston. Bickford-Smith, W. N., Trevarno, near Helston. Bolitho, Mrs. F., Trewidden, Buryas Bridge. Bullmore, T. K., Trebarne, Mawnan, Falmouth. Clarke, A. C, Ponsanooth, Perranwell Station. Coldrey, A. A., Trenowan, Camborne. Harvey, Miss E. 1^ Rose Hill, Padstow. Hendy, E. W., Holt Anstiss, Porlock, Somerset. Hepburn, Ian, Laxton House, Oundle, Northamptonshire. Jarvis, W. H., 1, Marcus Hill, Newquay. Macmillan, J., Melrose, Trehane Cottage, Polzeath, Wadebridge. Magor, E. J. P., Lamellen, St. Tudy. Moyse, Mrs. 0. R., Condurrow, St. Clement, Truro. Pratt, Miss M., County School for Girls, Camborne. Ryves, Miss S. C, Scarteen, Seaford, Sussex. Simms, G. W., Little Trefewha, Praze, Camborne. Skilbeck, Miss A. T., St. Petroc House, Little Petherick, St. Issey. Stokes, Miss S., Tregurrian, St. Columb Minor. Williams, Mrs. M. F., Greenway, Churston Ferrers, Devon. The name of Mr. C. Rice, of 1, Trelawney Road, Camborne, did not appear in the list of 1931 owing to the non-receipt of the prescribed declaration form. This has since been received and his name has now been added to the list of members for 1932.

At the close of 1931, the number of fully subscribed members was 102. At the close of 1932, it stands at 122.

Members are asked to notify at once any change of address. 6

The following Associates have been elected: — Cooke, A. S., Trelowarren, Mawgan, Helston. Hawke, F. J., Carlogas, Mawgan, St. Columb Minor. Hawke, Mrs. L. J., Carlogas, Mawgan, St. Columb Minor. Smith, T. F., St. Clement, Truro. ****** THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. It is satisfactory to record that, at the close of the second year of the Society's life, membership has increased from 102 to 122, and this in spite of four resignations and a death. We would draw special attention to the need of members in certain parts of the County, alluded to already in the Report. With localities barren of members, it is obvious that the work both of preservation and recording is considerably hampered. As regards Associates, nothing more than a small beginning- has been made by the enrolment of four. With an annual subscription of only 6d., there'must surely be many people who are interested in birds but are not in a position to join the Society as members and who would Associate themselves with us if they knew they could. The Committee appeals to all members to endeavour to swell the list of Associates during 1933. The calls on the Watchers' Fund have again been disappointingly few. The efficacy of rewarding the local inhabitant for the safety of a rare bird's nest was proved last year. Payments made amounted to £2 15s. Od. This year, the expenditure of £3 10s. Od. has been amply justified. It is realized that many members are not so fortunately placed as to locate a rare bird, while, in other cases, the situation of a nest may be such as not to call for outside protection. Yet the Committee feels that more could be done in bringing to notice at once incidents of suspected illegal shooting. Without such information, the Secretaries are left in the dark and lack the opportunity to deal with the trouble on the Society's behalf. The complaint, last year, that gulls were ruthlessly shot at nest on the Godrevy cliffs will be remembered. This year a Watcher was appointed who, by praiseworthy tact and frequent rambles on the cliffs, succeeded in preventing a repetition of the wanton destruction—the birds nested in peace. The Watcher was paid £1. 7

The sum of £1 was paid to the young sons of a farmer on whose land a pair of rare birds nested. They succeeded in keeping off all would-be molesters, with the result that a brood was safely reared. A farm labourer was appointed to watch a pair of Kestrels, a pair of Ravens and a pair of Herons which latter two were nesting side by side in situations easily accessible. Near the Ravens and Herons was a nest of Stock Doves. This little bird paradise remained unmolested throughout the nesting periods. The sum of £1 was paid. Another farm labourer kept watch over a magnificent stretch of cliff where Raven, Peregrine and, until this year, a pair of Choughs regularly breed. The birds reared their broods and the man was paid 10/-. In response to a report by Lady Vyvyan of captive Ravens at Praa Sands, the Secretaries got into touch with the local Police. A reply was received that the matter had been investigated, that there was no evidence of ill-treatment and that the Raven was not within the Schedule of the County of Cornwall Bird Protection Order of 1921. From this answer it did not appear that the extension of " close time " by the 1931 Order or, indeed, " close time " at all, had been before the minds of the authorities when they investigated the report. However, the mere fact of official inquiries having been made would probably suffice to prevent a repetition of the offence, if any. The suggestion to fix warning notices in places where protected water fowl are likely to be shot has already been referred to. It is confidently expected that the suggestion will be carried into effect before the close season of 1933 terminates. This will constitute a tangible advance toward the preservation of the County's Avi-fauna. In an article which appeared in a weekly newspaper on " Shore Shooting in Cornwall," the writer not only advocated the shooting of certain birds that are fully protected by law but also advised how such birds and other waders could best be stealthily approached. Strong protests against the article by two of the Society's members were published and the Secretaries lodged a protest on behalf of the Society, in which they exposed the illegalities propounded. The newspaper duly published the Society's protest. 8-

It may not be generally known that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has embarked on a census of Barn Owls in England. Census schedules received from that Society will be issued, on application to the Secretaries, to any member who desires to assist in the work during 1933.

Tangible co-operation between the Society and the Girl Guides of Cornwall and the West Cornwall County Boy Scouts7 Association has not been reached during the year. The main obstacles in the case of the Scouts have been difficulties in the way of arranging talks to a gathering of responsible officers, to explain the aims of the Society and how co-operation may best be effected.

Response by members to the organised work decided on for 1932—a survey of the distribution of Wood-Lark, Cirl Bunting and Corn Bunting, and also the status of the Warblers, Sea birds and other birds named in the Annual Report for 1931—has been most disappointing. It is hoped that all members who can do so will endeavour to observe at least some of the birds mentioned during 1933. It is valuable to record the absence in any district of certain species which may be regularly observed in other parts of the County.

Among interesting records of the year are the Marsh- Harrier near Penzance, the pair of Gadwall in the same locality, the Hoopoe near Truro, the number of Black-tailed Godwits seen and the wintering again on the Cornish coasts of Black Redstarts.

The information this Report contains concerning the position of the Chough to-day in Cornwall is both grave and dispiriting. The bird appears to be in imminent danger of extinction, and open rabbit-trapping continues to take toll of the birds now reduced to almost negligible numbers. More dispiriting still is our impotence to arrest the tide of diminution which has been advancing for many years.

Mr. Johnstone asks whether it would be possible to import birds from abroad. Whether, if this were possible, the Chough would re-establish itself in the County it is impossible to say. Such importation would probably be difficult and costly, but the suggestion seems worth preliminary investigation. 9

REPORT OF THE STEEL TRAP SUB-COMMITTEE. Mr. T. J. Willcocks writes:—" Regarding the toothed rabbit-trap, I should say it is the biggest enemy that wild animals and birds have to contend with in Cornwall, whether it is set as far as possible in the holes or in the open. I have caught at various times, Barn, Tawny and Little Owls, Buzzard, Raven, two Shelducks, Mallard (duck), besides many smaller birds. The gins make themselves indispensible by catching and usually killing all the Stoats and Weasels which, if left alive, would be a very effective check to the increase of rabbits. Gins set in holes often catch Partridges when they go to " dust " themselves in the dry earth at the mouth of the hole. Also the trap in the hole is much more dangerous to those most useful animals known as " vermin"—the Stoat and Weasel. All " humane " traps that I have seen are disappointing. Wire snares are not effective when set outside rabbit holts in the big stone and turf hedges of Cornwall, though they may be quite effective when set on the borders of up-country coverts. Mr. Henry Carne of Truro has invented a trap which is designed to be set in a hole with no possibility of its catching feathered game or other birds, and to catch and kill a rabbit as it comes out. Unfortunately there is no telling by which of its many holes a rabbit will leave its sett. If it returns by the hole in which the trap is set it is unscathed. I should say that this trap is humane, that it would not harm game or other birds and that it would be quite effective to catch rabbits if one could be sure by which holes they would make their exits. I only know of one farm in this district where the gin has been given up and where rabbits are kept down without it. Mr. Jack Hawken (he has given me permission to quote him) of Blable, St. Issey, tells me he uses dogs and ferrets, chiefly at night when rabbits " bolt" more readily, and that with these he is able to keep rabbits within bounds without using any other means. Because of there being no gins Stoats and Weasles are given a chance to increase and so assume their natural position as destroyers of rabbits.

To sum up—those who wish to see a decrease in the use of the gin, whether because of its cruelty or because of its 10 destructiveness to game and wild life generally, should do their utmost to preserve the carnivorous animals and Buzzards and Owls, many of which are persecuted by the owners and occupiers of land who ought to have more forethought." Mr. W. G. Titford writes:—"I heartily endorse the opinions expressed by Mr. Willcocks above. The new so-called humane traps which have been tried out this year are not satisfactory from all points. In my own district it is now almost the general practice to compel the trapper either to set his gins within the hole or cover them by day. The latter is, to my mind, by far the most effective as regards protection of wild life. I find that most trappers willingly cover their traps if approached tactfully. I have found that wild life can be greatly helped by explaining the natural food consumed by various species as also their habits."

REPORT OF THE SWAL1NG SUB-COMMITTEE. The Rev. A. A. Woodward writes:—"I can only report that notwithstanding our efforts Swaling seems to go on as wantonly as ever. I do not think that farmers (in this district anyhow) encourage this state of affairs, but that the mischief is due to the thoughtlessness of boys and youths who love to see a blaze, regardless of the injury to the birds. We can hope that attention to the matter will more extensively be drawn by the teachers in our elementary schools, with thanks to those who have already helped us." Dr. W. J. Stephens writes:—" I am glad to report that there was no late Swaling in my district this year." CORNWALL BIRD WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT, 1932.

GENERA*. FUND.

£ s. d. £ s. d.. Balance from 1931 ... 21 8 2 By Printing Report 12 6 3 Subscriptions—Members 1931 5 0 „ Postages (Treasurer) ... 15 0 1932 ... 26 1 0 „ Stationery do. 14 10 1933 ...... 1 15 0 „ Sundries 1 2 „ Associates 1932 2 0 „ Gratuity to Caretaker at the Museum 0 1933 ... 6 „ Percentage of Subs, to Watchers' Fund ... 5 12 8 Sale of Report 8 0 „ Payment io R.S.P.B. for " Acts and Orders " 1 5 0 M Acts and Orders " to date 19 0 „ Balance at Bank 27 8 5 Bank Interest 15 9 „ Cash in hand 3 6 1

£51 14 5 £51 14 5

WATCHERS' FUND. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Balance from 1931 8 18 6 By Payment to Watcher at Godrevy ... 1 0 0

„ Donations 4 8 0 »» i» „ „ „ Penquaine ... 1 0 0

„ Percentage of Subs, from General Fund: •» „ „ „ St. Columb ... 1 0 0

1931 1 0 »» »» „ Polzeath 10 0 1932 5 4 7 Balance at Bank ...... 10 0 0 1933 7 1 „ Cash in hand ... 5 9 2 5 12 8

£18 19 2 £18 19 2

Audited and found correct, CHARLES NICHOLSON, Hon. Treasurer. A. C. POLWHELE, Hon. Auditor. 28th February, 1933. 20th February, 1933. 12

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

B.W.A. — B. W. Anderson, Farleigh, Surrey. I.M.A. — Mrs. Anderson, Farleigh, Surrey. S.H.A.A. — S. H. A. Adams, Mawgan Porth. L.B. — Miss Lorna Bennett, Padstow. R.H.B. — Dr. R. H. Blair, Camborne. A.H.M.C. — A. H. Machell Cox, Yelverton. S.C. — Seymour Cooke, Trelowarren. D.C.H. — Mrs. Harvey, Penzance. G.H.H. — G. H. Harvey, Penzance. J.F.H. — J. F. Hosking, Carbis Bay. G.J. — G. Johnstone, Croydon. E.J.P.M. — E. J. P. Magor, Lamellen, St. Tudy. J.M.M. — J. Melrose Macmillan, Polzeath. M.J.M. — Mrs. Meares, Falmouth. M.R.M. — Miss Moor, St. Clement. C.N. — C. Nicholson, Tresillian. B.H.R. — Lieut.-Col. Ryves, Mawgan-in-Pydar. C.M.R. — Mrs. Rogers, St. Columb. M.R. — Michael Rogers, St. Columb. K.M.S. — Miss Skinner, St. Agnes. E.K.A.T. — Miss Tatham, Saltash. W.G.T. — W. G. Titford, St. Germans. C.V. — Sir Courtenay Vyvyan, Trelowarren. C.C.V. — Lady Vyvyan, Trelowarren. E.W. — Miss Westrup, Lamorna. P.D.W. — P. D. Williams, Lanarth. T.J.W. — T. J. Willcocks, Wadebridge. * ***** (Square brackets, unless otherwise stated, indicate records in which the contributor is not absolutely certain of correct identification, or where the observation is not first hand. Records by A.H.M.C. refer to the Boscastle—Bude district unless otherwise stated. Records by B.H.R. refer to the Mawgan-in-Pydar district unless otherwise stated and, for the purposes of these notes, this district may be taken to be Mawgan and the country within a radius of about twelve miles around it, bounded by the Camel on the north, and the coast between the Gannel and Padstow). 13

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES OF SUMMER MIGRANTS IN 1932. (1) Spotted Flycatcher. Mar. 16 „ C.C.V. May 19 arrived B.H.R. „ 20 „ R.H.B. Sept. 14 last seen B.H.R. Sept. 29 last seen B.H.R. Oct. 26 „ J.M.M. (2) Chiffchaff. (9) Swallow. Mar. 16 arrived C.V. Mar. 29 arrived T.J.W. „ 23 „ J.M.M. Apr. 5 „ J.F.H. „ 24 „ B.H.R. 7 „ M.R.M. „ 26 „ C.M.R. » 12 „ C.N. „ 31 „ C.N. 14 „ S.C. Apr. 1 „ E.W. „ 14 „ B.H.R. 1 „ M.R.M. „ 17 „ W.G.T. Sept. 26 last seen B.H.R. „ 18 „ J.M.M. (3) Willow-Warbler. Oct. 4 last seen J.F.H. Apr. 5 arrived C.C.V. „ 15 „ B.H.R. 9 „ M.R.M. Nov. 5 one seen G.H.H. „ 22 „ B.H.R. „ 6 two seen G.H.H. „ 8 about six Aug. 22 passing through at seen G.H.H. Trelowarren C.V. „ 10 three seen G.H.H. Oct. 9 last seen B.H.R. Dec. 9 one seen D.C.H. (4) Grasshopper-Warbler. (10) Martin. Apr. 27 arrived (4 birds) Apr. 5 arrived J.F.H. B.H.R. „ 12 „ C.N. (5) Sedge-Warbler. Oct. 1 last seen J.F.H. Apr. 27 arrived B.H.R. 5 „ B.H.R. „ 28 „ E.W. Nov. 8 „ P.D.W. (6) Blackcap. (11) Sand-Mar tin. Apr. 19 arrived B.H.R. Mar. 24 arrived B.H.R. „ 21 „ M.R.M. „ 24 „ C.M.R.

n 22 „ E.W. Apr. 1 „ J.F.H. 5 „ M.R.M. (7) Whitethroat. Sept. 9 last seen B.H.R. May 1 arrived B.H.R. (12) Swift. (8) Wheatear. Apr. 23 arrived J.F.H. Mar. 2 arrived M.R. „ 24 „ B.H.R. „ 12 „ J.F.H. „ 28 „ C.V. „ 14 „ J.M.M. May 2 „ M.R.M. „ 14 „ B.H.R. 6 „ J.M.M. 14

Aug. 18 last seen J.F.H. (15) Whimbrel. 11 26 B.H.R. Apr. 25 arrived M.R.M. (18) Nightjar. (16) Lesser Black-backed May 4 arrived S.C. Gull.

ii 16 „ C.N. Mar. 2 a dozen seen con­

ii 21 „ K.M.S. gregated on a

ii 23 J.F.H. nesting island Aug. 6 last seen K.M.S. B.H.R. (14) Cuckoo. (17) Land-Rail. Apr. 15 arrived S.C. Apr. 27 arrived W.G.T.

ii 17 „ J.F.H. May 1 „ T.J.W.

ii 19 „ W.G.T. ft 15 „ B.H.R.

if 22 „ B.H.R. ft 20 „ J.F.H.

* * * * * *

BIG SOUTHWARD MOVEMENTS OF SEA BIRDS IN MARCH.

(An account appeared in the Western Morning News of 29th March, 1932).

On March 22—a warm and sunny day—I spent about five hours on and near Gurnard's Head, where I witnessed, throughout, immense numbers of sea birds travelling from the north in a south-westerly direction.

Constant streams of Guillemots and Razorbills, in flocks up to 100 to 200, kept passing at speed low over the sea and steering a course towards Pendeen Watch. Judging by the flocks which passed within range of definite identification, Guillemots predominated. Some of the flocks consisted of both species.

The birds were closely packed, and flew in long strings or in uneven lines, often transforming themselves into " V's" or " W's." During the period of watching, many thousands must have passed.

Gannets also were making the same journey, nearly all of them in adult plumage. They were in ones and twos and upwards to eights, and followed each other low over the sea, at much longer intervals. I reckon in all that I saw about 300 of these birds, 15

The speed of the Gannets was slower than that of the Guillemots and Razorbills, who easily overtook and passed them. Shearwaters, in parties of only a few up to a dozen, passed at more frequent intervals than the Gannets, At a guess, I must have seen 700 to 1,000 Shearwaters; since they were soon lost to sight, their progress must have been faster than their graceful, gliding flight indicated.

Herring-gulls, in small numbers, were also represented in this great southward movement.

How long these migration flights had been in progress before I came upon the scene and how long they continued after I was forced to leave it is impossible to say. B.H.R.

GENERAL NOTES FOR 1932.

Raven, An inaccessible nest found on Godrevy Headland on March 6. The old birds' behaviour suggested advanced incubation. R.H.B.

Until this year and since 1910 the pair at Dizzard Point had never, to my knowledge, failed to use the same inaccessible eyrie. In 1931 an extra unlined nest was built almost at the very top of the cliff some fifty feet above the usual site and in 1932 this was used. I do not think this new eyrie could be reached safely. On March 20, it contained only an addled egg and a nestling about a week old. The young one was still in nest on May 5. Four weeks later only the adult pair were to be seen. From the old site was reared one of the broods of five mentioned in the 1931 report. A.H.M.C.

A poor breeding-season. Of six observed nests, three pairs reared broods, two pairs deserted eggs and did not re-nest and the sixth nest came to grief because one of the birds was shot. Two other sites, regularly occupied up to 1930, were again vacant.

One of the successful nests was built on an inland cliff only twenty-five feet high. It was the usual bulky structure but was placed on so narrow and sloping a ledge that extra support was necessary. This the birds effected by fixing perpendicularly, on a ledge below, long, heavy, thick sticks— how they were carried or manoeuvred into position remains a mystery. On April 8, when the birds were feeding nestlings. 16

I saw a Heron settle on a flat bank within 10 yards of the Raven's eyrie. On examination I found a Heron's nest (referred to under that species) then being built. From observations in recent years the incubation period of the Raven appears to be about twenty days and young are usually forty-two to forty-six days old when they take wing, normally in the first ten days of May. I have never seen a male incubate, though I once saw one brood nestlings for about fifteen minutes. B.H.R. Nest with four eggs at Gue Graze on March 16. C.C.V. This nest held four young on April 5. B.H.R., C.C.V. On April 25, I visited a nest at an inland mine-shaft which held at least four and possibly five well-feathered young. T.J.W. Rook. There were fewer nests than counted in any previous year in the rookery reported last year to have sustained a heavy slaughter of young birds. B.H.R. Chough. See Appendix I. Eds. Jay. One seen at Tideford Cross on October 20. The species is scarce in the neighbourhood. W.G.T. Starling. White variety seen twice at Mawgan Porth in August. S.H.A.A. The roost in reed-beds by the Tresillian River was again occupied. The numbers gradually increased from about 10—20 birds in June until, on October 17, a big flock, estimated at 2,000 birds, flew round before going to roost. I believe this roost to be abandoned by about mid-November. C.N.

The winter roost at Carnanton was not occupied until December 6. Up to the end of the year the number of birds was considerably smaller than at the close of 1931, the roost occupying a smaller tract of bushes. B.H.R. Greenfinch. At a nest holding young, the hen was frequently observed to swallow the droppings. The male was not seen to act similarly. B.H.R. Bullfinch. A family of them feeding in my garden at Tresillian on November 4. C.N. Nest with three half-fledged young at Trelowarren on September 14. They left the nest on the 20th. A very late date. C.V., C.C.V, 17

Brambling. Only once seen; a single bird with a Chaffinch on November 23. B.H.R. Chaffinch. Singing January 14. A little hoarse and out of practice; not with the usual boisterous confidence. M.R.M. Corn-Bunting. From a nest near the North Cliffs, Camborne, the five young left before they could fly and scattered themselves at some distance from it and each other. I found one of them lying in what appeared to be a definite nest and from the quantity of the droppings, which were in a ring round the bird, I should judge it had been in the same spot certainly for more than a day. R.H.B. During twenty-two years' experience, I have found this species very scarce. I have the following notes as to their status on the north coast:—April, 1913, seen near Pentargon Bay. August, 1913, " Corn Buntings everywhere " at Trevone. A.H.M.C. As stated in the 1931 Report, this species is common in my district. A few nesting pairs were noted inland (on the Denzil Downs) this year. Twenty-seven nests were located during July and August and the majority kept under intensive observation. (An article on some of the observations made was published by the Western Morning News in its issue of Sth September). I hope again to study closely this species during 1933 and further to elucidate certain interesting habits and then to publish the results of the two years' work. B.H.R.

Cirl Bunting. Observed at Kehelland on April 21. R.H.B. Almost common in my experience. A.H.M.C. Birds well distributed and several nests found. B.H.R.

Wood-Lark. Used to be well represented. In 1912 I found two nests within 400 yards of each other and a third soon afterwards. I have seen them in small flocks in winter. I should be inclined to think they have become scarce now but I have not investigated the matter. A.H.M.C. One in song over St. Clement on May 30. M.R.M. No change in status noticed. On April 24 I found a nest with four eggs, well hidden in a patch of sandhill reeds. The nest was a neat but flimsy structure of thin dry grasses, lined with fine bents. The next day I hid myself near the nest and, after an hour's watching, was rewarded by seeing the hen stealthily walk off her eggs and begin feeding at once 18 within near reach of the nest. (I had already heard the male singing aloft). After twenty-five minutes absence from her eggs, she ceased feeding and began to walk slowly, by a very zig-zag course, towards the nest. As she reached it, she raised her crest, " tiptoed " and, after a barely perceptible pause, walked past it. She repeated these actions twice more, each time approaching from a different angle. Finally, without pausing, she subsided quietly on to her eggs, after a total absence of 35 minutes, during which she had never taken wing nor been joined by the male. The day was warm and calm. For clever camouflage this bird eclipsed anything I have ever seen in the cautious return to nest of a Sky Lark. Unfortun­ ately, the nest was shortly afterwards destroyed, possibly by a herd of grazing cattle. B.H.R.

Tree-Pipit. Seen and heard near Wadebridge on May 8. I have identified the bird in the same neighbourhood in 1930 and 1931. T.J.W. Yellow Wagtail. A party of about twenty on the Marazion Marsh on August 30 is the largest flock of which I have any record. G.H.H. One seen on August 9, eight on August 23 and two on August 26. B.H.R. Grey Wagtail. A nest with the bird sitting found at Trelowarren on April 24. C.C.V. Previous records of the male taking regular shifts in incubation have been confirmed this year. B.H.R. Tree-Creeper. One seen at Tresillian on November 4. C.N. Nut-hatch. On April 24 there was a pair at Rosehill, near Penzance, diving in and out of a hole in a tree. [Mr. S. P. Jewill Hill had seen the birds there previously and informed me]. I have never seen the species in the district before, and I did not find them at the spot again. Two seen at Loe Pool on January 23, but they may be regularly there. G.H.H. Great-Titmouse. On July 19 a pair were observed taking either nectar or flies from " Red Hot Poker " flowers in the garden; they were clinging to the stems just below the flower heads. C.N. On April 30, in a nesting box, the last egg of a clutch of six was laid and incubation commenced. On May 14, the 19 nest held four recently-hatched chicks and one egg. Obviously either a dead chick or an egg had been removed. On May 18, the nest held only one chick and I conclude that the others had died and been removed together with the egg that had proved to be addled. The surviving chick died later in the day and the mother brooded it for the night. On May 19, the nest was empty and deserted. I removed and examined the materials and found no egg or dead chicks among them. Shortly afterwards, a nest in another nesting-box, which this pair had partly built previously but deserted on April 20, was completed and a second clutch consisting of five eggs laid in it. Incubation was commenced on May 28 (the first egg had been laid on May 24) and all five were hatched on June 11. All were reared and left the nest on July 1. This is my only record of this species laying a second clutch after hatching the first. I have many records of Great Tits removing both addled eggs and dead chicks. Blue Tits, however, usually bury infertile eggs and dead young below the nest-lining. B.H.R. Blue Titmouse. Three pairs nested in my two acre garden; for the last twelve years there have never been more than two pairs. The three clutches were nine, eight and eight. Each pair hatched all its eggs and reared the full broods, with the exception of the pair with nine eggs, which reared seven (two dead chicks were found buried below the nest- lining). The broods left the nests on June 11, 13 and 16 respectively. Judging by previous records these were unusually good results for artificial nesting-boxes. B.H.R.

Golden-Crested Wren. Singing January 17. M.R.M. Two broods were reared by one pair as follows:—First brood left nest on June 22; a new nest, close to the first, was built and from it the young flew on August 11. Thus *-,here were fifty days between the fledging of the first and second broods. B.H.R. Spotted Flycatcher. Not seen by me at all this year in the Tresillian district. C.N. A marked paucity compared with past years, both in summer residents and birds passing through on Autumn migration. B.H.R. Willow-Warbler. Last year's paucity was not apparent this year. A pair nested close to the house and the hen laid the last of five eggs on June 15, when she began incubation. The nest was intensively watched and the following records 20 secured:—The hen alone incubated, quitting the nest, through­ out the period, for six to ten minutes rather more than twice every hour. The five eggs were all hatched during the daytime of June 28; on this day the male disappeared and was never seen again. The hen carried on single-handed and five healthy chicks left the nest on July 12. As she paid thirty to thirty- six visits per hour to the nest for about sixteen hours daily, her total visits during the fledging period of fourteen days amounted to about seven thousand.

A nest with young was found in a lane on June 13. It was built in a patch of brambles and a few ivy vines, below which weeds were growing. The nest was three and a half feet above the ground and quite clear of the hedge near which the bramble-patch stood. The site was the type in which one would expect to find a Hedge-Sparrow's nest. B.H.R.

In normal numbers at Lamorna this year. E.W.

Wood-Warbler. I could find none this year in Carnanton Woods. In the Glynn Valley they seemed to be well-distributed in certain localities. B.H.R.

Grasshopper-Warbler. A wonderfully concealed nest, holding six nestlings, was found in a tuft of coarse marsh- herbage, surrounded by brambles and bog-myrtle bushes. Both parents, coming singly, fed the young with grubs which seemed to be secured mainly from bushes growing on the fringe of the marsh. They were fed far less frequently than the young Willow-Warblers. The parents had no fixed route to the nest but dropped anywhere into the patch of jungle at spots ten or twelve feet away. But the exit, just above the nest, was constant and it was only this fact that enabled me to find the nest, which was tucked away about two feet below the top of the herbage. Judging by the very short interval between a bird's dropping into cover and emerging after feeding the young, it must have threaded its way to the nest with amazing rapidity. The birds were practically indifferent to near human presence. B.H.R.

Garden-Warbler. On June 5, I watched a pair feeding- young out of nest; an exceptionally early date. B.H.R.

Blackcap. More birds seen and heard than in any previous year. In May, a male was seen carrying building material, which was dropped when he spotted me. B.H.R, 21

Heard singing constantly at Lamorna. I am inclined to think there was but one pair and that the male was singing- over a wide area. E.W.

Fieldfare. First seen on October 31; four or five birds, feeding on the edge of a flooded valley. B.H.R.

Redwing. Up to the close of the year, the number of birds in the Carnanton Roost was considerably less than in 1931. Possibly this was due to mild weather. B.H.R. Blackbird. On May 6, in my garden, a hen was seen dancing and jumping about in an extraordinary way and it was found that she was tackling a slow-worm. Finally she went off to her nest with the severed tail! C.N. Wheatear. One seen on the lawn at Trelowarren on June 2. C.C.V. Whinchat. Flock of eight seen near Troon, Camborne, on April 6. R.H.B. In my experience this species seems fairly plentiful on the Bodmin Moors, where I have seen three recently-fledged families in close association and seeming to cover the hillside between them. On June 1, a nest containing five eggs took much finding. In a swamp a pair were feeding very busily at a small pool, the surface of which was covered with tiny insects. Presently it looked as if the female was working her way to a nest close by, when suddenly she flew right off out of sight by herself and did not reappear. About an hour later the pair were seen feeding as before. Exactly the same thing happened but this time it was anticipated and so straight did she fly that I was able to mark her to a tussock 150 yards away, whence, in a second, she was down. The male did not attempt to escort her, which is unusual. Two out of three nests found this year contained a good deal of lichen; one had no hair in the lining. A.H.M.C. On May 28, a male was seen on the Bodmin Moors. Last year, near Bolventor, this species was noted. B.H.R. Black Redstart. One on Godrevy Towans on February 28. R.H.B. A female or immature male frequented South Terrace, Penzance, until mid-March. Another, in the same plumage, 22 seen in North Parade, Penzance, several times in November. It may occasionally be met with on the upper parts of buildings in the heart of the town. G.H.H.

Last seen in Polzeath district on March 9 and first seen on November 7. J.M.M.

Thirteen, including several adult males, counted on the cliffs at Gunwalloe on November 9. They were busily darting out to catch insects. Several more seen on Mullion Golf Links on the same day. On a visit a few days afterwards none were seen but then the weather was very cold and they may have sought more sheltered spots. I believe that one or two remain about the Mullion district throughout the winter. M.J.M.

One seen at Downderry on December 9, 1931, and one at Prussia Cove on March 7 this year. M.R.M.

Several birds remained throughout the 1931—32 winter. A bird was last seen on March 22. Autumn arrivals were later than in 1931, for I saw none until November 7, when I counted ten birds (there were probably more) on a three hundred yards stretch of cliff. Single birds have been regularly observed since on various sections of the coast but only one adult male to the end of the year. B.H.R.

One at Penzance Beach on February 10. K.M.S.

Adult male at Gunwalloe on January 9. C.C.V.

A female or immature male at Lanarth for two or three days in early November. A few passage birds are usually seen in late October but this is later than usual. P.D.W.

Wren. On June 18 a pair were observed, in my garden, feeding noisy nestlings in an invisible nest within a deep and narrow crack in an insignis pine, eighteen feet from the ground. The crack was only just wide enough to admit the birds. B.H.R.

Dipper. Unfinished nest in Gweek Wood, April 17. S.C.

[On May 14, I was told of a nest under a bridge over a stream on the outskirts of Truro. My informant had known of this nest for nearly twenty years and had recently watched the birds feeding their young]. Subsequently I saw the nest myself but did not see the birds. C.N. 23

Four nests were found on a two miles stretch of the Mawgan (Lanherne) River:—Number 1 laid the first egg on April 3, but on the 9th the nest held only two eggs which had been deserted (cause unknown). On April 19, I found a new nest fifty yards away and partly built. It was never completed but the first nest, empty on the 19th, held one egg on the 20th. A clutch of five was completed on the 24th, when incubation was commenced. On the 26th the eggs had been deserted; possibly a good deal of fishing on this section of the river was the cause. I could obtain no evidence of a third attempt to nest, though the birds remained in the locality.

Number 2 was found with five eggs on April 9, and on May 9 five young appeared to be nearly fledged. A second clutch was not laid in this nest after the young had quitted it.

Number 3 held three eggs on March 25; next day a fourth was laid and incubation begun. On April 9 the nest was empty. On April 16 the nest contained five eggs, being incubated. On May 9, my next and last visit, there were five nestlings.

Number 4 contained two eggs on March 31. A clutch of 4 was laid and incubation commenced on April 2. On April 19 the nest contained three dead chicks, just hatched, and one dead in a chipped egg. Timber operations very close to the nest on the previous day probably caused the desertion. Incubation period was thus sixteen days. I removed the nest's contents but no second clutch was laid in it.

(Note. I rarely flush any bird from eggs. I prefer to v/atch the bird leave naturally, then inspect the nest and again conceal myself to see its return). B.H.R.

Swallow. An endless procession of Swallows all moving up the coast near Boscastle on April 25. A.H.M.C.

Martin. Young, well feathered, in nest, at St. Clement, on September 24. G.H.H.

Nightjar. My father found and showed me three " nests " with eggs, all in the Leedstown—St. Hilary district and all on abandoned mine-dumps. G.H.H.

One was " churring" frequently at St. Clement in June. M.R.M. 24

A pair nested in a garden at Tresillian. Two young birds were seen in early August. One disappeared before fledging but the other flew successfully. C.N. Two usual nesting-territories were vacant and the species seemed scarce. B.H.R. Often heard after dark around Polberro, St. Agnes. K.M.S. Hoopoe. [A bird, apparently this species, reported to me as having been seen on the Tregothnan Estate in April. M.R.M.] On March 29, I saw a bird of this species on the lawn of a house at Tresillian. From the lawn it flew onto a garden wall and then into some trees, where I lost sight of it. [On April 3, it was seen by a villager who reported it to Miss Moor]. C.N. Kingfisher. One frequently on Mawgan Porth Bridge in November. S.H.A.A. Several seen on the Luney in late July. M.R. Great Spotted Woodpecker. Two at Trelowarren on March 16. C.M.R. Spotted Woodpecker (?sp.). Heard drumming and seen at a distance, on February 16, in the Tresillian district. C.N. Cuckoo. Birds much in evidence near the cliffs. A Corn Bunting was victimized within fifty yards of the cliff-top and reared the young Cuckoo. B.H.R. Little Owl. A marked diminution throughout the year. I can suggest no cause. B.H.R. Barn-Owl. I fear that this species is not even holding- its own. Occasionally during the year I have heard a bird calling or seen one " hawking" in broad daylight. B.H.R. Peregrine Falcon. Saw the usual contests with neigh­ bouring Ravens that I have watched since 1910. By the time the young at one eyrie should have been on the wing there were no Peregrines anywhere and I fear foul play. Elsewhere on the Boscastle—Bude coast they prospered. A.H.M.C. From four eyries observed, the following records were obtained:—No. 1 eyrie was found on June 2, when it contained three young about fifteen days old and one addled egg. The Falcon was quite indifferent to our presence and was seen, that day, to arrive with a plucked bird which she carved at 25 the eyrie, presenting small portions of flesh to the beaks of each youngster in turn. Subsequently, this eyrie was frequently watched. All the kills seen to be brought by the Tiercel were procured inland. Four " larders" were located, where kills were plucked and prepared prior to being taken by the Falcon to the eyrie. These were smothered with the feathers of Pigeons and other birds. On June 9, the young were seen to feed themselves, quite amicably, from a small plucked bird brought to the eyrie by the Falcon. On June 20, the three young birds had left the eyrie and were found perched together on the cliff top a short distance away. Kills henceforth were made over, feathers and all, to one youngster at a time. Lach of them soon took possession of an " individual larder," where the quarry was plucked and eaten. On June 24, the Tiercel was seen to present a kill (at its larder) to one youngster and, almost immediately after, the Falcon arrived with a Pigeon which she made over similarly to another youngster. On July 11, the three young birds and their parents were still in the vicinity of the eyrie. Indeed, it was not until after August 12 that the Peregrines departed altogether. To revert to the period when the young were on the wing— not only the larders but the cliff tops also became strewn with the remains of Jackdaws. The toll taken of these birds at this stage of the up-bringing of the Peregrine family is not inconsiderable, for I have remarked the same slaughter at other eyries observed. It may be of interest to state here that a family of Choughs (four young and their parents), during the last three weeks of July, frequently fed in close proximity to the eyrie and was intact weeks after the Peregrines had left. Further, another pair of Peregrines regularly breed within a very short distance of these Choughs' nesting home, and yet I have not yet recorded an instance of a gap in the ranks of the young family being caused by any Peregrine.

A pair of Oyster Catchers had a nest just below this eyrie and both owners, screaming wildly, attacked a Peregrine whenever it left the nursery and chased it away for some hundreds of yards. The aerial " passing" of a kill by one Peregrine to another was never witnessed at this domain. I have seen it at others, and surely it is a superb spectacle. The two birdj approach each other from opposite directions with strident screams and, when almost touching each other, each appears 26 momentarily to " stand" on its tail in mid-air and, in a flash, the kill is transferred from one pair of talons to another. This method is in marked contrast to the graceful aerial " pass " of the Montagu's Harrier. The Falcon, in this case, simply grabbed the kill brought by her mate as he landed at a larder.

A well-known authority on Peregrines has stated that the eyrie is " usually " in the upper half or upper third of the precipice. This one was only 35 to 40 feet above the base of a 250 feet cliff. No. 2 eyrie was located on May 8, when incubation of eggs was in process. (I have on several occasions witnessed one bird relieving the other). Two days later, the eggs had been deserted and the Tiercel was not seen then or subsequently. I have reason to believe he was shot. The Falcon remained alone in her territory and did not secure another mate. It was not until late autumn that I saw a Tiercel in her company. No. 3 eyrie was found on May 31 when three eggs were being incubated. On June 10, the brooding bird came off only two eggs. On June 19, the two eggs were still being- incubated but were evidently infertile for, on June 22, the eyrie was empty and deserted. I am certain no human agency had been at work. No. 4 eyrie held three eggs, and two young were safely reared. B.H.R. Merlin. One seen near Wheal Coates (St. Agnes) on October 10. B.W.A., I.M.A. Rough-legged Buzzard. A bird of this species was observed near Padstow on February 9, and remained about the same place until July. It was seen to perch on trees on the edge of a plantation and on a small tree of a hedge-row and once it was watched standing on a sloping bank. The lower parts of the legs were distinctly seen to be feathered. Compared with a pair of Common Buzzards that were present it looked very large and light. The head looked white. There was a band of brown feathers low down on the otherwise whitish breast. L.B.

Common Buzzard. A pair at Godrevy on March 20. R.H.B. Remains faithful to many sites known to me for twenty years, though in some quarters it is accorded little protection. Since 1914 I have never failed to find an occupied nest in a 27 certain oak tree and even in December and January one is unlikely to approach it without protest from the birds. At a cliff-nest this year, during a lively round with Ravens, a Buzzard, after missing a stoop by inches, banked over steeply and struck with outstretched talons from beneath. I do not think it has been remarked how commonly individual buzzards seem to moult in the breeding-season. I have various notes of positive scare-crows in April and May. This never seems to affect their powers of flight. Should a regrettable occasion occur of examining a bird killed at this season, the point might be particularly observed. A.H.M.C. A very successful breeding-season, both inland and on the coast. On a cliff stretch of one and a half miles, three pairs reared three, three and two young. B.H.R. Marsh-Harrier. A bird was seen flying over the Marazion Marsh on October 6. Two of the observers had seen Montagu's Harriers in Norfolk and this bird seemed noticeably larger. Its head appeared to be pale golden yellow or buff and the plumage of the back, tail and wings was dark brown, with black or very dark feathers in places. There was no trace of a white rump-patch. B.W.A., I.M.A., K.M.S. The bird was not at the Marsh on October 30. K.M.S. Montagu's Harrier, Of three known nests in the County, one pair reared two young and the other two pairs failed to rear any. Eds. Heron. Paid special attention to the cliff-nest found in 1931 but could never watch for long. It was curious to see how faithful the birds were to the site both before and after it was in use. On March 12 the old nest was empty and as it was last year; as I was returning along the shore a Heron flew past me towards it and later, at a distance, I watched three. There was a half-hearted attempt to drive away the visitor and then the pair settled—one of them actually squatting on the nest! On March 20, when half-a-mile off, I sighted, with my glasses, one standing on the nest. It had gone long before I got there. I examined the nest, which proved still empty but now had a shallow cup and a new bit of blackthorn. Directly afterwards, while I turned my back for half a minute, the ghostly bird was there on the nest and instantly slipped off when seen. On April 5 I saw four eggs and both birds. On May 5 the parent remained on the nest 28 till I was near. It was already filthy. There was one addled egg, two young about a week old and one just hatched, quite lank and wet. Even this one could stand up and make demonstrations at me. The other two were very fat and in the hand seemed to weigh at least two pounds each and were about ten inches long to the tip of the bill. At times they seemed to expect to be fed, making gobbling motions; their scolding notes sounded like "Koff!" and " Kok-ax." On June 4, the three young were well grown and all standing up. They clapped down as we scrambled up, but then one of them clambered out along the ledge and stretched its great wings. Suddenly the two parents, which had been standing unnoticed close by, took wing. Like last year, no single sound was ever heard from the two adults, though doubtless, had I stayed to witness the feeding, the vow of silence would have been broken. Close below was an Oyster-Catcher's nest with three eggs. A.H.M.C. On April 8, a solitary pair were watched building a nest on a flat bank, surrounded by bushes, a few feet below the top of a low cliff (see under Raven); the nest was easily accessible. On April 18, the huge stick structure, which was lined with dead bracken, contained two eggs which were being incubated. On April 22, it held the full clutch of four. On May 4, there were still four eggs and the young Ravens in the nest close by were nearly fledged. An hour after my inspection of the nest, one Heron, considerably the larger of the two, was seen to alight on the nest and feed the sitting- mate, who stood up to receive the meal; the larger bird then flew off and the other subsided on to the eggs again. This seems unusual in view of published statements that both sexes incubate. The nest was observed, this day, for six and a half hours and during this period no further visit was paid by the larger Heron. A pair of Stock Doves were frequently noticed at a hole close to the Ravens, and an occupied Magpie's nest was later discovered in a thick thorn-bush within a dozen paces of the Heron's.

The sitting bird, throughout, lay on the nest with head and neck stretched out and resting on the perimeter, now and again raising its head when it apparently saw or heard some­ thing. On May 17, there were four nestlings of varying sizes, the youngest obviously recently hatched. The biggest was 29 reckoned to be about five days old and looked a monster compared with the baby. When I walked to the nest, the three eldest became very noisy, uttering cries difficult to describe but sounding to my ears rather like the scolding notes of the Blackcap. The incubation period appears to have been about twenty-six days. On May 31, there were only three young and I assumed that one had died and been removed. The difference in sizes was still very marked. Two stood up, rather groggily I thought, but the smallest subsided after only a few seconds on its legs. Each of them objected to my presence, " squawking" loudly and viciously poking their thick, powerful bills at me. On June 13—my next visit— one of the parents was standing on guard. On seeing me, it rose and circled above me, " honking" loudly, and then disappeared completely. When I reached the nest, the largest youngster stood firm, No. 2 scuffled into the cover of the bushes and " baby" remained squatting. As I approached, they protested as before but with voices that seemed more adult­ like. As I gazed at them, No. 1 suddenly disgorged something- over the far side of the nest, which was white with filth and the stench was awful. I then hid myself at a distance and, after five hours watching, saw a parent alight on the nest and feed each youngster, No. 1 in a standing and the others in a squatting position. They appeared very excited and uttered loud " tac-tac " notes. I could discern that the meal was being disgorged in an apparently pulpy state into the beaks of the young, the process occupying 21 minutes. The parent then flew to the river and, after washing its bill, stood motionless in the water. An hour later it was still in this posture and I left without seeing the other parent at all. On June 22, I found the youngsters crouching and almost concealed in the now dense cover of the bushes and vegetation near the nest. On June 27, they were standing erect on the nest and spotted me from a distance. No. 1 took wing and flew with heavy, slow beats down river; the others dived into the bushes. Ten minutes later, No. 1 flew laboriously close over the water, apparently to return to the nest, but appeared unable to make height, for it settled at the foot of the cliff and then stalked slowly through the shallow water. The stench on this occasion was almost unbearable. The youngsters had been walking about everywhere, for the whole vicinity up to a distance of twenty yards was covered with their 30

excreta. The nest itself as well as the " lairs" under the bushes was caked with filth. The eldest (biggest) bird was about 46 days old when it first took wing. B.H.R*

One pair built and laid near Trewornan but was twice robbed. T.J.W.

Five nests at Bonallack on March 19. C.C.V.

Bittern. One risen in Tregordan Marsh on November 1. It dropped one hundred and fifty yards away into a clump of rushes surrounded by flood-water. T.J.W.

Brent-Goose. Ten on the Hogus Rocks at Marazion and nine on the sea near Newlyn on December 11. I have no previous records of so many. None seen after December 18. G.H.H. [Seventeen near the Causeway, St. Michael's Mount, on November 15. P.D.W.]

[Geese (? species). Two, seen on the estuary at Tresillian, on August 1, were like Barnacle-Geese, save that the throat and breast were white. C.N.]

Sheld-Duck. Not less than one hundred and forty-eight counted on Tresillian River on April 9. Nine tiny ducklings seen on May 19—surely an early date? M.R.M.

Mallard. A sheltered deep water bay in the St. Minver district is a favourite winter resort of these birds. Usually there are between fifty and a hundred, but I have counted one hundred and twenty. Normally they are on the sea but sometimes the rocks are favoured. J.M.M.

Three nests found on Tregorden this year; two, contem­ poraneous, were not twenty feet apart. T.J.W.

Gadwall. A pair at the Marazion Marsh on December 18. G.H.H. Pintail. Two on the Marazion Marsh on October 6. B.W.A., I.M.A., K.M.S.

Pintail were to be found at the Marazion Marsh from December 11 to the end of the month. On December 20, most were seen—three drakes and two ducks. G.H.H.

Common Pochard. Two drakes on Bude Reservoir in the -early spring. T.J.W, 31

Tufted Duck. Mr. Nicholson and I saw a female or immature male, on September 24, diving in a fresh-water pond beside the Tresillian Creek between Tresillian and St. Clement.

A pair were at Porthellick Pool, St. Mary's, Scilly, through­ out my three weeks stay in May. G.H.H.

Scaup-Duck. A male in perfect plumage seen at St. Clement on November 26. M.R.

Long-tailed Duck. Two females or immature males at the Marazion Marsh on November 6. They had gone on the 8th. G.H.H.

Red-breasted Merganser. One off Penzance Promenade, diving busily, on December 10. G.H.H.

Shag. Last year's observations as to the reputed double- brooding of this species were continued this year, on more extensive lines, fifty nests being kept under regular observation throughout the season. The first egg to be recorded was on March 18 and a bird was brooding it. On March 28 this nest was empty but a second clutch was laid in it early in May and a brood reared. The eggs from three other nests similarly disappeared and, in each case, second clutches were subse­ quently laid and young reared. The remaining pairs suffered no mishaps, reared broods and then closed down. On September 2, the last young Shags (the product of a second clutch after failure with the first) quitted their nest-ledge. They were present up to the previous day, when they were not less than fifty days old. Thus, from fifty nests observed, not a single record of a pair rearing two broods was secured. B.H.R.

Little Grebe. Lieut.-Col. Ryves, on May 28, saw, from the road across the Bodmin Moors, a bird swimming about close to a likely place. He went down and put up another from reeds near the bank. Three days later I took a friend to investigate and at once we sighted one out on the water; a second splashed out of the reeds on our approach. We failed to find a nest but, wading in, caught the sound of babyish squeaks close by. Next moment we saw a tiny mite swim out into the choppy waves, dive for a yard or two and boldly join its parent waiting in the distance. Other young must have been lurking somewhere. A.H.M.C, 32

Great Northern Diver. A bird in full breeding plumage in St. Mary's Harbour, Scilly, in mid-May. G.H.H.

Wood-Pigeon. A pair in my garden reared two broods in the same nest as follows:—The young of the first brood left the nest on July 1. Incubation of the second clutch was commenced sometime between August 23 and 27, the edge of the nest being whitened with down. Two youngsters left the nest on October 4. Combined incubation and fledging period was 38—42 days. Several broods have been reared from this nest in past years.

From observations made in this and previous years, the following are the methods adopted by a pair in nest construction:—The female remains on the nest site, while the male selects materials and gives them to her at the nest. While he is away on another foraging expedition, she deals with the actual construction of the nest. One nest observed was lined with pine-needles, the male bringing only one at a time. The needle, always a sound one, was held at the apex with the leaves pointing towards the tail. The male worked for three consecutive hours on two successive days, bringing pine-needles only.

Incubation and brooding the young are shared by both birds, the relieved bird only quitting the nest when the other is almost at it. Thus, under natural conditions, the nest is never unoccupied for more than a fraction of a minute. I have not secured a record of any pair rearing three broods in one year, though I have numerous records of two broods. Young birds are easily distinguished from adults by absence of the white neck patches. B.H.R.

Stock-Dove. Two pairs bred on the cliffs between Watergate and Park Head. On June 3, just inside the nesting- hole of one of the pairs, there were fresh droppings, also a trail of charlic flower-buds, from which one would infer that the young were being fed on them. The hole was too deep for me to see them. B.H.R.

Rock-Dove, Two that I believe, from their behaviour and plumage, to have been genuinely wild birds, seen near Mawgan Porth in September, 1930. G.J.

Turtle-Dove. One near St. Columb on June 10. M.R. 33

Oyster-Catcher. Several nests were observed for short periods during May, and birds watched relieving each other on the eggs. Three late nests, each with three eggs, were found on July 4, 6 and 10 respectively. B.H.R.

Golden Plover. A variety, buff-coloured with white wings, seen during December near St. Keverne. The bird was never with more than three or four others. P.D.W.

Lapwing. Two of a small colony of nests looked at by Lieut.-Col. Ryves and myself on the Bodmin Moors on May 28 repaid a visit three days later. Close to a nest with eggs just hatching was an empty one (A); Lieut.-Col. Ryves showed me that it had been used already by finding the remnants of egg-shells stowed away under the material—a habit I was unaware of. This nest was in a very swampy position but well-raised. Another nest (B) we found on quite solid ground only a foot away from a rough track. Here there was very little material and I remarked that it was damp. At a distance we afterwards watched the male walk to it and relieve his sitting mate.

On June 1, at Nest (A), a bird rose from two eggs. The lining looked fresh but the broken shells were still under it. At Nest (B) there was clear evidence of desertion; all four eggs remained but were quite cold and in exactly the unusual formation I had sketched on May 28. Despite the solid ground, the nest was, perhaps, too low, and it is significant that a nest of young Meadow-Pipits close by, discovered on May 28, contained their drowned corpses, a size larger. If, as the position of the Lapwings' eggs indicated, desertion took place directly upon one brief inspection, without handling of the contents, surely such behaviour is rare? A.H.M.C.

On April 3, I found a scrape with materials in it and a stone rather larger than an egg in the centre. On April 10, the stone was in the same position; three eggs lay on one side of it and a fourth on the opposite side. Both eggs and stone were warm to the touch. On April 22, the position of the eggs and stone was unaltered. On May 10, only the stone remained but an inspection of the ground under the nest material disclosed chippings of eggs, showing that the young had been safely hatched. (I find it a common habit of Lap- 34 wings to conceal the egg-shells beneath the nest; the process of brooding the newly-hatched chicks presumably causing the shells to break up into chips). From observations of another nest the incubation period proved to be about thirty days. B.H.R.

Ruff. One at the Marazion Marsh on January 17; by far my earliest date. G.H.H.

Sanderling. Last year there was doubt as to whether this species wintered on the north coast of the County. This year Mr. G. H. Harvey and I saw, on the Camel Estuary, three on November 28 and one on December 27. B.H.R.

Dunlin. On May 28, in the company of Lieut.-Col. Ryves, I found a nest containing four eggs on the Bodmin Moors. The bird sat very closely and went away silently. The very slight nest was only just raised above the swamp. A party of four were seen flying over the swamp. Returning on June 1, I found the eggs still unhatched; a second more substantial nest, twenty-five yards away on the top of a tussock, appeared to be for the male sentinel. A.H.M.C.

Several hundreds seen on the Camel Estuary on November 28, and similar numbers on December 27. On the latter date Mr. G. H. Harvey and I noticed a large flock of these birds flying inland at dusk and traced them to a harrowed field, where they were packed motionless in a long broad line (with them we identified some Ringed Plover). It certainly seemed that they had come here for the night. It was a dull, drizzly evening, new moon and a spring tide at the full. B.H.R.

Purple Sandpiper. Twenty-nine on the Penzance Extension Pier ledges on April 23; four more than the previous record. A party of about eight on the Western Rocks, Scilly, on May 8, and two birds on Porth Mellon Beach, St. Mary's, Scilly, on May 16. G.H.H.

Three at Chapel Porth in February. M.R.M.

Wood Sandpiper. Lieut.-Col. Ryves and I saw one in a marshy field near St. Erth on August 28. I saw two at the Marazion Marsh on August 30. G.H.H.

Green Sandpiper. A few birds seen at every visit to the Amble Marshes from August 9 onwards. On December 27, in the dusk, Mr. G. H. Harvey and I were on Trewornan Bridge and clapped hands to see if any snipe were present, 35

This at once set off Green Sandpipers calling vociferously. Further clappings increased the distinctly musical calling which was kept up for about five minutes; there were at least two birds. B.H.R.

Redshank. First appeared at St. Clement, after the nesting season, on June 13. M.R.M. Greenshank. Four at the Lelant Estuary on September 19 is the largest party of which I have any record. G.H.H.

Phalarope (? sp.) A Phalarope frequented the Marazion Marsh from November 8 to November 21. I am almost sure it was a " Red-necked" and not a " Grey." G.H.H.

Bar-tailed Godwit. Two on the Tresillian Creek on October 8. B.W.A., I.M.A. Three on Tresillian Creek on September 24. C.N.

Black-tailed Godwit. One was at the Marazion Marsh on November 8—10; previous latest date November 2. G.H.H.

One on Tresillian Creek on September 24. C.N.

Bar and Black-tailed Godwits. Seven " Bar " on the Camel on August 9, two on September 2, forty to fifty, in company with about fifteen " Black " on September 17, about one hundred " Bar " and at least six " Black" on September 29 and one " Bar " on October 22. B.H.R.

Common Snipe. On May 3 I chanced to stop the car beside a marsh when I noticed a Snipe flying low and fast and suddenly drop, as if shot, into a patch of reeds. I marked the spot and, half an hour later, put the bird up, almost at my feet, from a nest with four eggs. I returned to the car to watch the bird back. Eighteen minutes after I had flushed it, I saw it approach as before and drop directly on to the nest. On May 17, when I watched for two hours, the sitting bird left the eggs once and fed some distance away, being absent for thirty-five minutes altogether. On this occasion the method of return was different. Instead of flying direct, the bird dropped into cover about forty yards from the nest. After half a minute it rose and dropped again ten yards from the nest, whence, presumably, it walked to it, for it was not seen again. On May 30, the nest was empty, but near it were lying egg-shells which had the appearance of chicks having emerged from them fairly recently. B.H.R. 36

Jack Snipe. One seen on October 11. M.R. Woodcock. One seen on October 10. M.R. On November 6, I flushed one in my small garden in Falmouth. M.J.M. [On March 14, three seen on Goonhilly. C.C.V. (Per Col. Edyvean)]. Sandwich Tern. Three seen at Constantine Bay on August 9 and four on September 17. One at Harlyn on September 21. B.H.R. One seen at Trewornan on October 2. T.J.W. Common (or Arctic) Tern. One on August 9, in company with the three Sandwich Terns above recorded. B.H.R. Little Gull. An immature was at the Marazion Marsh on March 31. G.H.H. Herring-Gull. On May 5 I could find no birds sitting; many nests were barely started and there were only a few eggs. A.H.M.C. A pair were watched, on several dates in June, feeding a brood of four young. B.H.R. Lesser Black-backed Gull. Conspicuous for its absence along this stretch of cliff. A.H.M.C. An adult seen at Penzance Harbour on January 18, and an adult in Newlyn Harbour on December 10. G.H.H. Great Black-backed Gull. At the highest point of the big island-rock favoured by Cormorants (there is always a colony of twenty to thirty nests) a single pair of the gulls had their nest half-hidden in tree-mallow. This has been in precisely the same spot since 1910, and never a second pair as yet. A.H.M.C. Glaucous Gull. An immature at Newlyn Harbour on December 8, and another (or possibly the same bird) off Penzance Promenade on December 30. G.H.H. Kittiwake. One adult and one immature seen at Constantine Bay on September 17. B.H.R. Razorbill. Present in very small numbers near the " Cormorant Rock." A.H.M.C. One found five miles inland, near St. Germans in October. E.K.A.T. 37

Guillemot. Last year there was a small colony of Guillemots and a smaller of Razorbills on the seaward ledges of the " Cormorant Rock." On March 21, this year—about the time when Colonel Ryves observed big southward move­ ments of various sea-birds—I found these ledges packed with Guillemots. But on April 25 and May 5, none were there either swimming or on the ledges. A.H.M.C.

Puffin. Present in very small numbers near the " Cormorant Rock." A.H.M.C.

A small colony on the cliffs north of Padstow. T.J.W.

Land-Rail. Two birds heard calling in two different localities during May. B.H.R.

Three pairs noted in the parish of Egloshayle, near Wadebridge. T.J.W.

Water-Rail. A dead female picked up on the road opposite our house on November 13. C.N.

On March 19, I had a close view of a pair on the mill leat in the Lanherne Valley, and again in the same place on March 25. They did not remain to nest. B.H.R.

Quail. Usually heard every spring but not this year. Last heard in June, 1931, at Trevelver, St. Minver. T.J.W.

Additions to the 1931 Report under heading " Distribution of Birds (Tresillian, Probus District). C.N."

Yellow Wagtail. Frequently seen about the house in the Autumn of 1928, hawking flies in the verandah and on the roof. (The haunt seems unusual but the contributor has supplied details from which it appears that the birds were indeed of this species. Eds.).

[Brent-Goose. One young bird seen on July 29, 1929, searching about on the mud opposite the house. (We consider that this record should be square-bracketed, on account of the unusual date and the possibility of the bird's not having been genuinely wild. The contributor is of opinion that the record should appear without brackets or comment and states that the bird was carefully compared with the coloured figure in Johns's "British Birds in their Haunts." Eds.)]. 38

APPENDIX I.—THE CHOUGH. The status of this species in Cornwall is extremely critical. On the coast line, Newquay to Tintagel, there were, this year, only two known nests, from which broods of four each were reared. Non-breeding birds, in small numbers, were frequently observed on various parts of the coast mentioned. Reports were current of other nesting pairs, but I have been unable to substantiate any of them. Though the existence of a third nest is, of course, possible, such is, in my belief, improbable. The presence of non-breeding birds undoubtedly tends to optimistic reports which are, in fact, only myths; such birds may often be seen consorting in couples, or be found singly. A third nesting site, regularly occupied for years up to 1931 inclusive, fell vacant this season.

To attempt to assign causes for this tragic state of affairs is a problem beyond my solution. Briefly, Jackdaws are not, in my firm conviction, in any way responsible. Nor is the Peregrine a serious menace. Gins laid openly on the cliffs undoubtedly take a heavy toll which the birds, now reduced to such very small numbers, cannot at all afford. Nor again, can man's depredations in the past have been on a large enough scale to account for the wholesale thinning of the ranks of Choughs, for many of their eyries have been in wholly inaccessible sites—not that the havoc wrought by collectors can be ignored or condoned. Moreover, to locate an occupied nest needs some experience and knowledge and, above all, any amount of spare time. But there is one factor— and perhaps it is here that the true solution lies hidden— and that is that the large majority of young birds disappear (Choughs do not breed their first year) before they reach maturity. They must either die or migrate, but the latter is hardly likely.

There is a certain ancestral territory of Choughs which I have observed closely for the last four years at all the seasons. Other of their haunts and nesting sites I have visited from time to time, so that I think I can claim at least a fair working knowledge of the coast between Newquay and Tintagel. This year one nest was more intensively observed than in any previous one.

The nest was not in the time-honoured fissure which lies obliquely across the sharply curved wall of a tide-washed 39

cavern, but was constructed at the lower end of the fissure. Although it was in full view from below, yet it was quite unreachable and was about forty feet above the floor of the cavern. It stood about two feet in height and was a neat, compact and bulky structure, composed of dead heather stems, bracken and coarse grasses.

Incubation, which was entirely conducted by the hen, was commenced on or about May 8. During this period, she normally quitted her eggs only when summoned by the male, her absences averaging from 6 to 15 minutes at most. He usually called her off after sitting shifts of about an hour, accompanied her to her feeding ground and escorted her back to the cavern. The longest period without seeing the male at all which I recorded was one of nearly two hours. I have never seen the hen fed at nest—a common spectacle with the Raven.

The eggs were hatched on or about May 26, the incubation period thus being about 18 days. The hen ceased brooding the nestlings on June 3. Both parents, who usually came and left together, fed the young. This was done entirely by regurgitation, into the nestlings' mouths, of what appeared to be a highly masticated, pulpy diet. Each parent fed each and all the nestlings in turn, the meal often being disgorged in two instalments with an interval of a minute or two between. The mother was invariably the first to go to the nest. Strangely enough, no distention of the parents' pouches was ever discernible. Feeding visits were paid every 20 to 40 minutes of the day but, in the latest stages, as many as 70 minutes sometimes elapsed between the visits. These periods are consistent with previous records.

When the young were about a week old, their squeals became plainly audible. As they grew older, they became really clamorous. In early infancy, throats were creamy white and bills short, straight and colourless. As time progressed, a pinky tinge suffused the white, the bills assumed a yellowish hue and the legs gradually changed from pinky yellow to orange. When three weeks old, the youngsters scrambled out of the nest to be fed, climbing back after their parents' departure.

Sanitation of the nest was always most scrupulously attended to by both the adults, even droppings lodged well 40 below the base of the nest being removed and consigned to the sea. The walls of the nest never became more than slightly " white-washed," a marked contrast to the condition of a Raven's nest. When about 38 days old, the young left their nursery, but confined themselves to fluttering about within the cavern. At this stage, they were very tame and would permit approach to within a few feet. After being fed on the ledges upon which they were perched, the parents were seen on three occasions to preen their feathers almost from head to tail. The fledglings obviously enjoyed this toilet-making, for they stood quite still with beaks open, and spread out each wing- to be dealt with in turn. When about 41 days old—July 6—the four young birds emerged from the cavern and reached the cliff tops far above where they very rapidly acquired prowess of wing. Their legs were now becoming almost red and were thick, strong and scaly. Their bills showed a slight curve at the tips and were turning from pinky yellow to pale red. The parents continued to feed them, but for how long I could not determine. On the evening of the day following the departure from the cavern, I watched the two old birds conduct their 4 young on to a deep ledge above the roof of the cave and there all six birds roosted together. I discovered this ledge, in the late autumn of 1930, to be the common roosting place of more than one family of Choughs during winter and early spring. I have seen as many as 12 birds pack together on it. By the end of July, I was unable to distinguish young from old unless seen together at fairly close range, and then only by the smaller size of the former. As regards non-breeding birds, the communal roost already alluded to was not relinquished, this year, until after May 1. Thereafter, the breeding pair were left in sole possession of their feeding territory of about 2 miles north and 2 miles south of the cavern. I have never seen nesting birds feed at a greater distance from their eyrie than this. The move­ ments of immature birds certainly cover a wide range, and yet they may sometimes be met less than 3 miles from a nest. On one occasion—June 23—I saw 4 such birds actually fly (calling noisily) past the cavern's mouth and disappear beyond the vision of glasses; they were evidently changing feeding quarters by direct flight. 41

In connection with the coloration of the legs and bills of Choughs, it may be of interest to record that it does not appear to be constant. I have often noticed, while inspecting a party of birds in winter at close quarters, that there is considerable variation among individuals in the darkness and richness of the red. Even during nesting operations, variations appear to take place. At one period, when young in the nest observed were being reared, the dullness and faded look of the male's legs and bill were very noticeable, whereas those of the female were a rich, dark and glossy red. About three weeks later, the coloration of the male's had completely recovered and was similar to that of the female (males are noticeably bigger than their mates). The nest described was a later one than any previously observed. The most usual date for young to quit the nest appears to be round about June 21.

To revert to the habit of communal roosting in winter, it seems unnecessary to go further back than the autumn of 1931.

On September 15, the roost, which is close to Nesting- Site A, opened with 12 birds which, since a local observer reported that the birds which nested successfully at Site B (the next nest about 9 miles distant) had left the area, I reckoned were the 4 parents of the two nests and the young they had reared in the spring. These 12 birds remained until October 6, when two suddenly disappeared (presumably the parents from Site B).

The remaining ten birds continued to use the roost, but on November 5, one of them was lame. On December 9, I went to the roost at dawn to watch the manner of waking. Nine birds left it in company, but the tenth (the lame one) stayed on the near slopes. Its lameness had increased and it was in obvious distress. I saw it again on December 15, after which it vanished. The remaining 9 birds were intact and apparently healthy until January 27, when another had dropped out, leaving 8. These 8 birds continued to come regularly, but on April 2 one of them presented a ragged appearance. On April 13, seven birds arrived, one of them having developed lameness; the ragged bird was not among them, but I saw it again, feeding, on April 15, when it was lame as well. 42

The numbers now began to fluctuate—the birds were evidently beginning to quit the nesting territory of the breeding- pair. On May 1, a few birds still came, but from the next day onwards the roost was entirely vacant except for the mated pair. In connection with the cases of lameness and tattered plumage, it may be worth mentioning that, on May 16, 1931, Mr. T. J. Willcocks and I saw five birds at a certain spot, two of which were veritable rag bags. This could hardly be due to normal moulting, and the cause remains a mystery. Throughout the occupation of the roost described, the two mated birds roosted within the cavern, except for a few days when it first opened and on a very few other occasions. Choughs are early roosters, the hour of sunset being the usual time. Further, on the occasions I was present at dawn, they proved to be late risers. They left the ledge in silence, perched on neighbouring crags and performed a morning toilet before flying off to feeding grounds. At the evening assembly it is different, for they are usually noisy and playful, but the moment the ledge is reached, not a further sound is heard.

This autumn, the roost ledge was not occupied until October 5, when it harboured four birds only (presumably those reared in the cavern below), the two parents diving into the cavern. No more than these six birds were ever seen, and this fact affords some corroborating evidence that the 12 birds of the previous autumn were those pertaining to sites A and B (the latter being the one which fell vacant this year). Corroboration also, perhaps, of the statement that birds disappear during their second year. Anyhow, where now are the survivors of the roost when it closed this spring? Where are those that were successfully reared at these two sites in 1930 and previous years? There are no new and occupied nesting sites to account for their absence, though there are many vacant ones available which were tenanted in past years.

On October 8, when again watching the roost at sunset, the six arrived together, the pair shooting as usual into the cavern and the others alighting on the ledge. But, almost at once, a great commotion started. The four birds fluttered noisily about the cliff face in obvious perturbation, and this brought the "pair out of the cavern, who perched on a rock above the others. It was getting quite dusk when the former finally 43 settled down singly on small cliff projections. Then the pair dived headlong into the advanced gloom of the cavern. Next day, I carefully inspected the cliffs and discovered that there had been recent land-slides in the vicitnity of the roost-ledge, which has been deserted ever since, the pair alone occupying the cavern as usual. Though I have searched the cliffs, in the evenings, for miles both up and down, I have secured no evidence of a substituted roost. I can only conclude that the birds have joined another distant roost which is beyond the range from here of winter evening journeys.

From these notes, it seems clear that the locating of communal roosts affords a valuable aid to census work. I would imagine that the number of such roosts in Cornwall is very small indeed. It must, however, be borne in mind that mated pairs may not necessarily join a roost at all. Such birds are close companions at all seasons and, like the pair of Site A, may in some cases prefer isolation at night. B.H.R.

I have spent only about ten days on the cliffs (Boscastle to Bude) at different dates but have nowhere set eyes on a Chough. (I know from past years how difficult it is to work these cliffs, and for years before I found any nest I missed seeing any during a week's visit, but they might be expected to be found still where I did locate them; the Morwenstow stretch I have still to work and do not despair of). A.H.M.C. ******

APPENDIX 2. Birds in the Allen Valley District. Raven. Frequently seen. Rook. A scattered rookery of perhaps 150 nests. Jackdaw. Far too many. Magpie. Seen and heard frequently. Jay. Seen fairly often, but hardly seem as numerous as they used to be. Starling. Increasing. Roost in the drive sometimes in large numbers. This year the roost was occupied during the third week of December and consisted of several thousand birds. 44

Hawfinch. One seen in the summer and another about October 20. We have the bird here every few years. Previous to 1932, it last occurred in 1929 or 1930.

Goldfinch. Fairly numerous. Bullfinch. Seen fairly often.

House Sparrow. Curiously enough we have none here. Two or three hang about for a few days in spring and then depart, owing I think to the fact that there is no house within half a mile and we do not throw our poultry-corn about.

Grey Wagtail. Sometimes seen. Pied Wagtail. Always about the house and stables. Tree-Creeper. Seen occasionally. On October 20, I saw one searching the moss and lichen near my window whilst I dressed. Nuthatch. Seen often. Nests in a Tulip tree forty yards from the house. Great and Blue Titmouse. Common. Coal and Marsh Titmouse. In evidence chiefly in winter.

Long-Tailed Titmouse. Often in the woods. I have twice seen a family collect on one branch and apparently arrange themselves in a tight, round ball to roost. Golden-Crested Wren. Seen occasionally. Blackcap. Often heard and seen in summer. Whitethroat. Frequent in summer. Fieldfare. Numerous in hard winters. Mistle-Thrush. Often a dozen or more seen in the big yew trees in front of the house (they probably roost here. Eds.)

Redwing. Very numerous. Roost in the drive in large numbers with Starlings, Greenfinches and Chaffinches. Dipper. Often seen on the Allen. Swallow. Six or seven nests in the barn and wood house, which is less titan there used to be. Martin. Have ceased to nest on the outhouses, but several nest at Lauseagas Mill. Swift. Very numerous in the Allen Valley, but masons have stopped the holes in the house, where they used to build. 45

Kingfisher. Two seen on the Allen, but are not often there. Green Woodpecker. Fairly often heard and seen in the drive. One passed over my head in Lamellen Plantation pursued by a Sparrow-Hawk. I have heard this bird drumming, but much more slowly than the Spotted Woodpeckers.

Great Spotted Woodpecker. Heard drumming several times and seen once.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I think this species occurs but I cannot be quite certain.

Cuckoo. Not very common.

Tawny Owl. Seen and heard frequently.

Barn-Owl. Seen occasionally.

Peregrine Falcon. Passes over the garden two or three times a year.

Merlin. One seen in February—probably a female.

Kestrel. Often about.

Common Buzzard. Seen daily, often four or five in the air at once.

Sparrow-Hawk. Common.

Common Heron. Sometimes seen by the ponds.

Little Grebe. Occasionally visits the ponds.

Stock-Dove. Not uncommon in winter.

Turtle-Dove. One seen in the spring by my youngest daughter. Golden Plover. Sometimes comes from the moor in winter.

Lapwing. Often seen in winter.

Curlew. Sometimes heard and seen passing over.

Great Black-backed Gull. Saw two pursuing a third over Lamellen Woods in the spring.

Water-Rail. Used to see them in the ditches near the Allen. Common Partridge. Scarce owing to trapping in the open.

Of some of the Warblers I cannot speak with certainty. 46

The following may be of interest:— (1) Many years ago Mr. D. Darell, late owner of Trewornan, told me that he had got a right and left at Spoonbills on the estuary. (2) About 25—30 years ago, in a field about 200 yards above the house, I heard in the sky a noise something like the clanking of chains and, looking up, saw far above two very large hawks which I am pretty certain were Ospreys. E.J.P.M.

gi * • _ 4> 4> $ . * APPENDIX 3. Some rarer birds of the Camel. Spoonbill. One spent about a week on the river in June, 1922. Seen both on the mud-flats and on the wing flying with non-breeding Curlew. Night-Heron. One seen several times for about a week in May, 1919, in Tregorden—Penpont marsh. Whooper-Swan. Two seen tearing up submerged veget­ ation in Tregorden marsh on January 15 and 16, 1924. On each day they were watched at about 80 yards range through glasses and left unrisen. Grey-Lag Goose. Fifteen turned up in mid-October, 1923, and fed on the Camel and in Amble marshes. Ten remained at the end of the year, and only one was shot to my knowledge. A pair spent some days on the Camel in the spring of 1929 and were there on Good Friday. One winter a " Grey-Lag " and a " White-fronted " formed an association and kept each other company. The latter was always on the alert. White-fronted Goose. Since 1919 I have seen about a score—never more than five at once. Barnacle-Goose. Three seen on the tide on a November pre-war day in the company of domestic geese. They rose with musical call and flew to a salting where they fed. The next day all were shot. Brent-Goose. A few may be seen on the Camel from October. I have seen about a score in all. The latest in the season were four on May 10th, 1930. Shelduck. Common on the Camel as a breeder and in winter, though I am told fifty years ago there were none, 47

Teal. Fairly common in winter. Flocks of up to fifty seen at times. A congregation of three drakes seen and a duck put off 9 eggs one May-day in Davidstowe. Garganey. A slightly injured drake caught in Amble marshes in April (about) 1912, brought home for identification and taken back again. Wigeon. Usually come early in September. Once counted 175 together up in the flooded fresh marshes by day. Usually they only leave the tide to feed on grass in the fresh marshes at night. Pintail. Rare. Four seen with Wigeon on January 13, 1924. A pair seen in late February, 1929. Shoveler. Seen occasionally in fresh marshes from autumn to spring. Nine seen on Tregorden marsh when flooded from January 13 to 16, 1924. Tufted Duck. Not common. Five seen, sometimes in the company of two Goldeneyes, day after day in the winter of 1929—30, on Tregorden marsh in flood. Goldeneye. One spent some days in roadside pool at Tregorden until driven by frost. Watched it diving and bringing up bunches of weed which it swallowed with gusto. Other odd birds seen but only once drakes in full plumage. Three in the tide off Burniere Point. Red-breasted Merganser. Not common. Shot one in mistake for Wigeon, pre-war. Black Tern. Four or five seen, apparently hawking for insects over a field, drifting down with the wind and beating against it, one spring day about 1910 or 1911. Unfortunately I fired at one of them and brought it down. T.J.W.