The Zoologist/4th series, vol 2 (1898)/Issue 687/Notes and Queries
NOTES AND QUERIES.
MAMMALIA.
RODENTIA.
Conduct of a Rabbit when pursued by Dog.—One day in July last, when my daughter was walking in my garden here, a little Dog which was with her put up a Rabbit (Lepus cuniculus) from one of the flower-beds, which was chased for a short distance by the Dog, wben it squatted in the grass, the Dog running round it, wagging its tail and barking. After a few moments it started off again, but, after running about one hundred yards, again squatted, the Dog running round and barking at it as before; when the Rabbit, which was quite full-grown, allowed my daughter to pick it up, and she brought it to me. It seemed as if dazed, and made no attempt to escape.—Wm. Borrer (Cowfold, Horsham, Sussex).
[There are many records, and from all parts of the world, of wild animals taking refuge with man when pursued by their enemies.—Ed.]
AVES.
The So-called St. Kilda Wren.—In a review of one of Mr. C. Dixon's publications—I fancy the title had something to do with vanishing birds—in the 'Spectator' of July 30th ult., the writer refers to Mr. C. Dixon as the discoverer of the St. Kilda Wren (Troglodytes hirlensis). Possibly some reader of 'The Zoologist' will correct me if I am in the wrong, though I have certainly long been under the impression that the St. Kilda Wren was "discovered" years before Mr. C. Dixon ever set foot on the island, and that every well-informed ornithologist was aware of—well, the fact. I gather from my researches that exactly two hundred years ago, in 1698, the possession of a Wren by St. Kilda was recorded by Martin, in his 'Voyage to St. Kilda'; that in Macaulay's 'History of St. Kilda,' 1764, the species is again mentioned; that in 1831 Atkinson paid a visit to the island and identified the little bird; while, in June, 1883, Barrington likewise came across it on some half-dozen occasions, though he failed to secure a specimen. As Mr. C. Dixon's journey to St. Kilda was not undertaken till 1884, I fail to appreciate the validity of the claim put forward by the late Henry Seebohm on behalf of his understudy, and repeated by an anonymous reviewer in the 'Spectator' only so recently as last month How far Troglodytes hirtensis, the Wren found on St. Kilda, is justified in being advauced to specific rank may be open to argument, though the best authorities appear to look with disfavour on such an advancement; but, touching rightful pretensions to whatsoever eclat there may be associated with the discovery and re-discovery of the little bird on the island, there is surely no room for two opinions.—H.S. Davenport (Melton Mowbray).
Scoters in Summer.—Early on the morning of June 7th, when a few miles off Southeruess, hundreds of Scoters were flying round the yacht. Four Velvet Scoters (Œdemia fusca) were detected, and no doubt there were others. In July, when sailing over the same spot, I observed the birds again, and I have often seen numbers of them in summer in the same locality. On the evening of June 13th, whilst fishing in Wigton Bay, a pair of Red-throated Divers (Colymbus septentrionalis) were seen. The birds were in full summer plumage, being apparently paired, and from their manners, had I been a little further north, I should have had no doubt as to the existence of a nest not far off. I visited several old nesting places of the Chough on the Kirkcudbrightshire coast, but not a bird of the species was to be seen, and I fear they have gone, never to return. Talking to an old fisherman, who was a close observer of birds, I gathered that fifty or sixty years ago they were common in several localities. Latterly they seem to have been driven away by the Jackdaws, which have increased in numbers.—J.J. Armistead (Solway Fishery, Dumfries).
Ivory Gull on the Solway.—On Aug. 3rd, when riding at anchor in the Solway Firth, I had the gratification of observing one of these rare birds (Pagophila eburnea) from my yacht. We had just had tea, and the scraps had been thrown overboard for the birds, which soon came round the yacht in considerable numbers. They were a mixed lot, by far the largest proportion being of the Black-headed species, interspersed with a few Common Gulls, and also some representatives of the Herring and Lesser Blackbacked kinds. One bird of a creamy-white colour attracted my attention, and as it came round for the third time, I distinctly saw that it had black feet; its bill was dusky, as far as I could see. Something suddenly alarmed the birds, and they retired to a distance and settled on the water, and I had not another good opportunity of observing the stranger that day. Next morning, however, on turning out early to weigh anchor, I saw it again. This time it was feeding on the ooze, in company with some Blackheaded Gulls, about one hundred and fifty yards away. It bore a striking resemblance to a white Pigeon, and a novice would have had the impression that one of these birds was feeding amongst the Gulls.—J.J. Armistead (Solway Fishery, Dumfries).
Birdsnesting in August.—For the last two years I have noted in 'The Zoologist' a list of nests with eggs and young found on Bank Holiday in Cambridgeshire. This year I was in the same district, but searched mostly in a different direction, and the following were my discoveries:—One nest of Bullfinch, with one naked young and four eggs hatching; three nests of Thrush, with eggs stale, apparently deserted; one nest of Turtle Dove, with two eggs; one nest of Wood Pigeon, with two eggs; two nests of Meadow Pipits, with four and five eggs respectively, all apparently fresh; two nests of common Whitethroat, with young; eight nests of Yellowhammer, with eggs, mostly fresh; two ditto, with young; one nest of Tree Sparrow, with two eggs deserted; two nests of Linnet, with eggs; one ditto, with young; six nests of Greenfinch, with eggs, half of them fresh; two ditto, with young; one nest of Hedge-sparrow, with one egg in hatched-out nest; two nests of Blackbird, with eggs deserted; one of these contained one handsome egg of deep spotless blue, with a rich zone of brown at the large end. This does not include new nests of Wood Pigeon, House Sparrow, Swallow, and House Martin, which I did not examine.—Robert H. Read (7, South Parade, Bedford Park, W.).Coition of Birds in the Air.—Readers of 'The Zoologist' have doubtless been interested in some remarks that have lately appeared on this subject in the pages of that Journal. I therefore send you a short account of a personal observation. Whilst passing along one of the roads skirting Clifton Downs, about the middle of June last, I noticed some six or eight pairs of House Martins (Hirundo urbica) engaged in collecting mud from the road. Suddenly a pair alighted within three or four yards of me, where I could see them quite plainly. Immediately they dropped into the road the male bird jumped on the back of the female, and appeared to attempt copulation. In an instant, however, the hen slipped from under him, and flew toward me, pursued by the cock bird, uttering loud cries. When quite close, I distinctly saw the male bird (whilst both were in the air) resume his position on the back of the female, and complete the act of copulation. They did not appear to take the least notice of my presence.—W. Barrett Roué (Clifton, Bristol).
Parasites in Birds.—A most interesting although serious epidemic in the form of Tape and Round Worms infests every Thrush and Blackbird in this immediate neighbourhood. All through last year it was prevalent, and at present seems to be on the increase. During the last two months I have examined some forty to fifty examples of Turdus musicus and T. merula, also two of T. viscivorus, that have been netted or shot from the fruit. In every case the intestine, and in a few the entire length of the alimentary canal, was full of a small Tapeworm, of about an inch in length, intermixed with a few Round Worms. I cannot understand why every bird should be thus infested. One young Blackbird, caught by my dog, which could only have been out of the nest some few hours, was equally full. There are great numbers of these birds about this year, and at present they are feeding out in the fields. This seems to be most injurious, aV dogs, horses, and cattle are thus exposed to the parasites. I enclose specimens taken from various Blackbirds and Thrushes, and should be very interested to know to which family of the Tænia they belong.[1] I have examined a few Starlings and small birds, but in no instance have found them infested. If any readers of 'The Zoologist' have come across a similar occurrence I should be glad to hear of it, also if there is any means of reducing it.—J.L. Newman (Mill Hill, Middlesex).
- ↑ We have not, as yet, had an opportunity of having the specimens identified.—Ed.