here, but we find old kettles, water-cans, &c, possess the same attractions for this species that boxes have for the Tits and Nuthatches. Several of our nesting-boxes have had the entrance-holes enlarged by Starlings, which seem to be able to peck away the wood from an old weather-beaten box without difficulty. This year, for the first time, we have had an old cask occupied by a pair of Tawny Owls, which had on March 27th four eggs laid on the remains of a Starling's nest.—Julian G. Tuck (Tostock Rectory, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk).
AVICULTURAL NOTES.
Cormorant in Captivity.—The historic Cormorant of Montagu has made interesting reading for generations. The following notes on one, "Joey," now in my possession, may not record anything so striking as the tameness and intelligence displayed by that naturalist's bird, but my example has been nevertheless interesting. He was brought to me from sea by a smacksman on March 22nd. After incarceration in an old hamper for some days, the bird exhibited his delight on being turned into a netted enclosure by mounting the rockwork, and immediately putting his plumage into shape by shaking his wings, and by the use of his mandibles. In two days he learnt to recognize his fish-basket, and had already, after a day's fasting, become adroit at catching the fish and fish-heads thrown to him. On March 28th, after receiving five Whitings, the last leaving its tail out of the corner of his mouth, he in a hour's time made room for two more. On April 18th, for his breakfast, he devoured three good-sized Whitings, one Viviparous Blenny, one Herring, one Flounder. Not yet satisfied, he accepted an 18 in. Conger-Eel. This vanished, save for three or four inches of the tail-end, which greatly annoyed him by refusing to be drawn or shaken down; at length, by flapping his wings and stretching his body to the utmost, it was lost sight of. Five minutes afterwards he seized a Flounder, and made room for it. The bird has not attempted to drink or even look at water, although, after feeding and a short nap, he anoints his plumage by a free manipulation of the oil-glands. After swallowing fish, drops of water drip from his mandibles. It is seldom that undigested bones are cast up, these few being usually those of large Plaice-heads that have been chopped in order to reduce them to a convenient size for swallowing. The bird has become tame, and salutes me with curious trumpeting notes, accompanying them with a profound salaam; and, although he allows me to stroke his back with a stick or brush, is ever on the alert to seize a finger if possible.—A. Patterson (Ibis House, Great Yarmouth).
