before it became the custom to import American wild fowl, and the same argument would apply even more strongly to the Collared Duck of Donovan. If English naturalists have not admitted it, however, the French have done so for them In Degland and Gerbe's 'Ornithologie Européenne,' it is included (No. 495), and readers are informed that it has been observed several times in Great Britain. Stories lose nothing in crossing the channel! Its habitat is thus given in Coues' 'Birds of the North- West' (p. 574):—"Hab. The whole of North America, breeding far north, wintering in the United States and beyond. South to Guatemala. Cuba. Jamaica."—J.H. Gurney, Jun. (Northrepps Cottage, Norwich).
Pochards Breeding in the Regent's Park.—For the last two months I have noticed a pair of Pochards on the ornamental water in the Regent's Park; and feeling certain that they had nested there, I went to look for them on June 28th, and found they had hatched out five young ones. The latter swim and dive like the old ones.—G. Atkins (21, Park Village East).
[We also have had an eye on these Pochards, and observed the young for the first time on Saturday, June 23rd. They were then swimming with their mother and seemed to be not more than a day or two old. The male parent did not appear, and it is therefore not quite Certain yet whether the young are pure-bred Pochards or hybrids.—Ed.]
Tawny Pipit in Sussex.—I am able to add another unrecorded Tawny Pipit from Sussex, which is also an immature bird, in the plumage described by Mr. Bond (p. 299). This example was shot at Ditchling Bostel, on the 29th September, 1876, as I was informed by Mr. Pratt, of Brighton, from whom I obtained it. There is a great superficial resemblance between the Tawny and Richard's Pipits. The Tawny might well pass for a small example of Anthus Richardi. Both have long tarsi, and pretty much the same coloured plumage. I was struck by the resemblance when examining Mr. Vingoe's Penzance specimen last summer, which, if I remember rightly, was also a bird of the year.—Murray A. Mathew (Bishop's Lydeard).
Unusual Site for a Kestrel's Nest.—A Kestrel laid this summer in a hen-roost in a long sheep-trough, and hatched four young ones. Whilst sitting (in May) a day's sheep-shearing was carried on, from 6 a.m. till 8 p. M., but did not disturb the bird, although quite close to her. The young ones are now seventeen days old. I can see them every day from a stage in the barn, and it is most amusing to me to observe their domestic arrangements. At first the young were treated with the brains of young Plovers, but now they get moles, mice, and young birds. The lady rules the roast, and when both the old birds come together with food, she manages to convince her mate that a mole is better than a young blackbird.—Frederick Stratton (St. Joan-a-Gore, Devizes).
