Great Skua in Notts.—A Great Skua was flying over lake at Lamb Close for some time on Aug. 22nd. It made several dashes at Green Plovers, and also at a Heron. After a time it flew away north.—J. Whitaker (Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts).
Late Nesting of the Corn Bunting.—This bird is notably a late breeder. Personally I never found eggs till the middle of June; but this year, when shooting down in Holderness, I was shown two nests that had been mown over in the corn-fields— one on Sept. 2nd, containing eggs which were slightly incubated, and the other on Sept. 5th, containing perfectly fresh eggs.—Oxley Grabham.
Late Stay of Swift.—A Swift (Cypselus apus) was observed by me this alternoon (Oct. 12th) flying round this house for some time. I see by the 'Field' that Swifts are staying late this season, but perhaps you may consider my observation of sufficient interest to chronicle.—H. Marmaduke Langdale (Royal Cliff, Sandown, Isle of Wight).
REPTILIA.
Adder Swallowing its Young.—I have had the pleasure of meeting here to-day (Aug. 3 5th, 1898) Mr. J.W. Kimber, of Tracey, Torquay, and formerly of Tracey Farm, Great Tew, Oxfordshire. He tells me that just about the date of the Crimean War, he, with his woodman, Richard Ecles, were walking down a woodland path in Minoten Woods, near Witney, on a warm morning about the end of May, when an Adder struck at the woodman's gaiter. The woodman called out to stop Mr. Kimber, saying, "She would not have done that unless she had got young ones." After waiting a short time, he called out again, "Now, sir, come on, and you will see something worth your notice." Mr. Kimber and the woodman then watched, and saw the young ones (four in number) crawl into the old Adder's mouth, she lying at full length with her mouth open to receive them. The woodman then struck the Adder with his stick, and killed her. In a few minutes the young ones crawled out through the wounded mouth of the mother, and of course met the same fate. At the time Mr. Kimber was not aware that the fact he and the woodman had together witnessed was a disputed one, or steps would at the time have been taken to inform naturalists of so well-authenticated an instance. Mrs. Kimber, who is here also with her husband, well remembers his relating the fact to her on his return home on the day on which it occurred. Mr. Kimber, being seventy-five years of age, is desirous that the above statement should be recorded, in the interests of natural history, while opportunity remains. The writer and Mr. and Mrs. Kimber append below their signatures to this
