NOTES AND QUERIES.
AVES.
Red-throated Pipit in Ireland.—In my note on Anthus cervinus (ante, 1901, p. 264), I mentioned one specimen from Donegal. As there is some doubt about this bird, I wish it to be understood that the record for Ireland must for the present rest upon the specimen shot by me on Achill Island, May 25th, 1895. This latter bird has been certified by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, Mr. Howard Saunders, and Dr. Hartert, and was exhibited by me before the meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, October, 1901. I spent three weeks in Donegal, studying the Pipits of one particular district, and hoped to have worked up the material I collected before now; but pressure of other business has prevented me doing so. I therefore think it will be more satisfactory for this explanation to appear, pending the fuller inquiry I hope to make.—F. Coburn (Holloway Head, Birmingham).
Breeding of Linota rufescens on Wimbledon Common.—On June 22nd I found a nest of the Lesser Redpoll on Wimbledon Common. It was built in a thick birch, and was nearly ready for eggs. When I last visited it (on the 29th) it contained two eggs. For obvious reasons it will be as well not to give the exact locality, as I hope they will breed there again next year. I also found a nest of the Wood-Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), containing five eggs, near the same place. I further saw six pairs of Yellow Wagtails on different parts of the Common, and found two nests containing young, one of which was built almost in the centre of the Common amongst the gorse.—M.J. Nicoll (10, Charles Road, St. Leonards).
Notes on the Nesting of a Pair of Green Woodpeckers (Gecinus viridis) at Wells, Somerset.—In this district Starlings are so numerous in the breeding season that they have become a serious nuisance to the Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers. On May 20th, in an orchard at Milton, a pair of Starlings fought for, and took possession of, a newly finished hole of a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers. On more than one occasion I have also watched battles between the green species and Starlings; the green birds are not so easily beaten off as
