Welsh Journals

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES, 1922-23. By G. C. S. INGRAM AND H. MORREY SALMON. The following are records of unusual or interesting species HAWFINCH, Coccothraustes c. coccothraustes (L.).One found dead at Dinas Powis on 30th May, 1923, and presented to the National Museum of Wales by Colonel Cecil Wilson. WOODLARK, Lullula a. arborea (L.).-One was seen at Rhosilli in Gower on 30th September, 1923 (Miss C. M. Acland). This appears to be a new district for the species, which is very local in habitat. WHITE WAGTAIL, Motacilla a. alba (L.).-A pair at Kenfig Pool on 29th April, 1923 (Miss C. M. Acland). PEREGRINE FALCON, Falco p. peregrinus Tunst.-A female was shot in April, 1923, by a farmer in Gower. It had a broken leg and was in poor condition, but it killed a herring gull a few moments before it was shot. (H. E. David.) HOBBY, Falco s. subbuteo (L.).One was killed near Port Talbot in the autumn of 1923. (H. E. David.) BEWICK'S SWAN, Cygnus b. bewickii Yarr. Miss C. M. Acland sends us the following interesting notes :­-‘ ‘ On 12th November, 1922, five wild swans were seen on Kenfig Pool, which, on a nearer view, proved to be Bewick's Swans, two adult and three juvenile, the latter being in grey plumage. The colour of the bills of the adults was lemon yellow, with a black tip, the amount of black exceeding the yellow and without the prolongation of yellow towards the tip which is seen in the Whooper Swan. They remained there about a fortnight. On 1st March, 1923, ten Bewick's Swans, seven adult and three juvenile, were on the pool, the juveniles being much whiter than those seen in November. The variation of the colouring of the bill in the adults was considerable, the amount of yellow and black in individual birds varying in distribution and pattern, the black centre portion running up to the forehead in some birds, but having a broken appearance in others. The immature birds had greyish flesh coloured bills, with black tips.