Beautiful Variety of the Fieldfare.-A gentleman having told me that he had seen two waxwings, a short distance from my house, which allowed him to approach within two or three yards of them, I took out my gun for the purpose of shooting them: I did not succeed in finding them, but was rewarded for my trouble by shooting a beautiful specimen of the fieldfare. The head and wings contained much of the usual colour, mixed with a few white feathers; back beautifully marbled with white; rest of the body white. There was another which looked entirely white along with it, which I did not succeed in shooting.—George Mawson; Moor Side, January 5, 1867.

Variety of the Blackbird.—I saw a curious variety of the common blackbird yesterday at a birdstuffer's shop in Eton: it was shot, I am informed, at Wingfield Park, which is not far from Windsor, a few days ago. On its head it had the feathers on the crown of a pure white colour, the white being continued in little streaks and spots on the left cheek, but not on the right; one of the feathers of the right wing was pure white, and the one next to that was half white, all the others being black. Under the lower part of the bill it had some white marks, and the whole of the breast of the bird was of a light yellow colour, more like the breast of a song thrush. The bill was light brown. This specimen was a female, probably a last year's bird: I saw it in the flesh, and it was of the usual size of the blackbird, and in tolerably good condition. Irides yellow, and eyes of the usual colour.-A. Clark-Kennedy; Eton, February 2, 1867.

Firecrested Wren, Richard's Pipit and Velvet Scoter in Shropshire.-Last month a firecrested wren was shot at Westbury, Shropshire: I saw it at Mr. John Shaw's, birdstuffer, Shrewsbury, and carefully compared it with Gould's plate: it was a good male specimen. Last autumn a Richard's pipit and a velvet scoter were killed in this county, and are now in the possession of my friend Mr. T. Bodenham, of Shrewsbury. -William Beckwith; Wellington, January 15, 1867.

Bohemian Waxwing in Norfolk and Suffolk.-These beautiful birds have been exceedingly abundant in these counties during the past two months. I have myself preserved and mounted as many as fifty specimens that have been shot in nearly forty different localities, which will show how generally distributed they were.—T. E. Gunn ; 3, West Poltergate, Norwich, January 21, 1867.

Bohemian Waxwing at Witheringsett, Suffolk.-There were two Bohemian waxwings shot at Witheringsett, in this county, in December. I have seen them at Mr. Eaton's, a birdstuffer in this town, who has preserved them; they are very fine specimens.-Garrett Garrett; 172, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, January 26, 1867.

Bohemian Waxwing in Somersetshire.-Mr. Wheeler, taxidermist, of 15, St. Augustine's Parade, has now in his hands for preservation, a very fine specimen of the Bohemian waxwing. It was shot at Butcombe Court, Somerset.-' Field,' Jan. 12th.

Bohemian Waxwing near Whitby.—Very large flocks of these beautiful birds have been visiting the north-east coast. No less than fifteen specimens have been shot in Larpool Woods and Russwarp Carrs, near Whitby; ten near the new iron-works at Glaisedale, and several in the county of Durham.-From the Field' of January 26th.

Bohemian Waxwing, Shore Lark, Richard's Pipit and Montagu's Harrier near Great Yarmouth.-A pair of shore larks (male and female) were shot on the beach on the 2nd of December, by Mr. Crowtha, sen., and are now in my collection. Richard's pipit, shot in the marshes by Sergeant Barnes, of our police force, on the 26th of December; and a fine specimen of Montagu's harrier (female), killed near Horsey on the 28th. Bohemian waxwings have been very plentiful, Mr. Carter, the taxidermist,

SECOND SERIES-VOL. II.

P

having had twenty-six for preservation, some of them in capital condition: eleven others have been shot in this locality, making a total of thirty-seven to this date.John G. Overend; Great Yarmouth, January 22, 1867.-' Field' of January 26th.

Bohemian Waxwing and Bittern near Ipswich.—Three beautiful specimens of the Bohemian waxwing have been shot near here, and are in the hands of Mr. Seaman, naturalist, for preservation. A fine specimen of the bittern was shot a few days since in the parish of Whitton, about two miles from Ipswich, and is being preserved by Mr. Podd, birdstuffer.—' Field,' January 19th.

Pied Wagtails near Hornsea in January.-During the severe weather of a fortnight ago, and after a hard gale from the north-east, I shot a pied wagtail (Motacilla Yarrellii), and have been informed by a neighbouring farmer on the sea-coast that several of the same birds were to be seen for a day or two about his stack-yard. Their appearance at this season I imagine to be a very rare and noteworthy occurrence.N. F. Dobrée; Hornsea, February 2, 1867.

Richard's Pipit, Shore Lark and Wood Lark in Norfolk.- A female specimen of Richard's pipit was killed in the vicinity of Yarmouth on the 29th of December last: this is the fourth instance on record of the occurrence of this rare species in Norfolk. As many as six examples of the shore lark, three males and three females, have been recently killed in this county: the first pair were shot at Beeston Regis, near Cromer, on the 29th of November last, the second pair near Yarmouth on the 1st of December, and the third pair during the early part of this month at Salthouse: they were all immature birds, the males being the largest and brighter in plumage than the females. On the 15th of January two immature specimens of the wood lark, male and female, were shot at Beeston Regis. All the above rarities, with the exception of the second pair of shore larks, came into my hands for preservation.-T. E. Gunn.

Bramblings near Eccleshall.—A flock of these beautiful birds visited this neighbourhood (about ten miles from Eccleshall) during last autumn, and I captured thirtyone of them in one day.-A. B. Bailey; Shooter's Hills, Longton, Staffordshire.— From the Field' of January 26th.

Linnets gregarious in Summer, and why.—Last summer a flock of linnets remained in the neighbourhood of the links after those of the same species, which had betaken themselves to the whin-covered hills and commons, had eggs. I was at a loss to understand the reason of their late stay, and put to myself the following and kindred questions, as a flock of about one hundred linnets flitted across the drills of a potatofield: Can it be that the young linnets do not breed the first season after they are hatched are these unfruitful birds? Not seeming to relish my proximity, they took to the windward; an ounce of dust shot into the "brown of 'em" put me in possession of seven females. The ovaries of all the seven contained eggs varying greatly in size, the largest in some being no bigger than No. 5 shot; in others they were as large as swan-shot, and in one individual they had attained their full size, one egg having the shell partially coloured and apparently ready for extrusion. Next day I had an opportunity of examining the flock on a piece of bare ground with a binocular, and I discovered that they were all females. The cause of the disproportion of the sexes I bad explained the other day by a bird-catcher, whose knowledge of our local birds and their habits is considerable, who informed me that during last summer he and others had "limed" about six hundred male linnets, for which they found a ready sale: they had caught, he thought, a greater number of females, which, not being a market

able commodity, they set at liberty. Portions of lime adhering to the feathers of birds so captured often make them the easy prey of hawks, ground vermin and boys. The fact that hawks regularly hunt the ground frequented by bird-catchers shows how far they find such birds to be at "liberty." If bird-fanciers-and as a class they are very fond of their caged captives-will take into consideration the fearful destruction of bird-life which the gratification of their fancy necessitates, and the loss to the community which their destruction involves, I am sure they will come to

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envy not in any mood

The captive void of noble range."

-W. Craibe Angus; 130, Union Street, Aberdeen.

Redlegged Partridge in Aberdeenshire.-At the end of last month Mr. James Mearns shot, within two miles of Aberdeen, a fine specimen of the redlegged partridge. It was in a covey of common partridges. I am not aware of this species having been. previously obtained in this county or in Scotland.-Id.

Quail in Winter.-On the 16th of January I saw, at Mr. Norman's, taxidermist, of Royston, Hertfordshire, a quail in perfect condition and plumage, shot somewhere in the neighbourhood two or three days before. Is not this a very unusual circumstance?-W. Clear; Laurel House, Meldreth.-From the Field' of January 26th.

Great Bustard at Horsey, Norfolk.-As I was in my boat after wild fowl, &c., on the 7th inst., on Horsey Mere, I observed a large bird flying towards me: at first I mistook it for a heron, from its slow, steady flight; but, on its nearer approach, I found out my mistake. The bird was coming directly over our heads, but bent his course when some sixty or seventy yards from us. We both fired, but the bird kept steadily on its way till we lost sight of it. I could not then imagine what it was, never before having seen the great bustard on the wing; still, the peculiar round shape of the wing, jagged also at the edge, the neck also and head so small in comparison with the body, struck me much, and made me very anxious to get it. On the next two days it was seen again stalking in the marshes, like an over-grown turkey, but it would not allow any nearer approach than one hundred yards before it flew quietly away, taking, however, but short flights, for it seemed more careful than wild. Having now no doubt that the bird was the great bustard (Otis tarda), I have been on the look out ever since, but when once the snow came the bird absconded, and I fear my chance of a nearer acquaintance is now at an end.-T. A. Rising; Horsey, Yarmouth.-From the 'Field' of January 19th.

Avocet in the County Cork.-A very beautiful specimen of the avocet, or "cobbler," as it is sometimes called from its curiously-forined bill, which is turned up like a cobbler's awl, was shot by Mr. Carbery, near Youghal, County Cork, on December 20th, and has been sent to me for preservation.-W. A. Hacketts; Patrick Street, Cork.— From the Field' of January 12.

Singular Habit of the Woodcock.-A correspondent of the 'Field' inquires, “Is it generally known that the woodcock possesses the power of elevating its tail and spreading it over its back, exactly after the manner of a turkey cock? I witnessed this performance last week; the pretty black tail-feathers, with white tips, forming a beautiful fan, and the whole appearance of the bird bearing a close resemblance to an enraged turkey in miniature."

Bittern in Yorkshire.—On the 24th of January I had the good luck to shoot a fine

specimen of the bittern within a mile and a half of Ripon, and close to the River Ure. From the Field' of February 2nd.

Landrail in January.-During the late severe weather a man working in a garden here caught a landrail; the bird was in very good condition, and seemed none the worse for the severity of the weather.-J. W. D. Harrison; Frocester Court, Gloucestershire. From the Field' of January 19th.

Egyptian Goose in Yorkshire.—On Monday, the 14th of January, I obtained in the neighbourhood of Beverley an Egyptian goose, which had been picked up exhausted after a tremendous gale. Dissection proved it to be an adult female: it had been struck by several shots, which quite accounts for the condition in which it was found. -W. Stephenson, in the 'Field' of January 26th.

Redheaded Pochard in Kent.-Three pochards, two drakes and a duck, made their appearance lately on a fish-pond here, where the pearly whiteness of their plumage excited much admiration: they disappeared at the approach of frost. The curious thing was that they never took to flight, but swam about in the middle of the pond.— Clifton; Cobham Hall, Kent, January 24, 1867.

Goldeneye, Shore Lark and Little Gull at Eastbourne.—On the 27th of December a fine male goldeneye duck was shot by Mr. Sumner, jun., on the Grumble Pond, Eastbourne. On the 8th of January a shore lark was shot by a fisherman on the beach near Eastbourne, and is now being preserved for my collection. I am also informed that an immature specimen of the little gull has been obtained here this week, and was purchased by the birdstuffer in the town: another was also seen at the same time.-N. Taylor, in the 'Field' of January 19th.

Smews from Holland.-To the notice of Mr. J. H. Gurney, in the 'Zoologist' for January (S. S. 608), of the presence of several specimens of the smew, I can add that last week nearly a dozen of these birds were also exposed for sale at a game-dealer's in Hull, which had similarly been imported from Holland. In the same shop were ten goosanders, sent also from Holland.-N. F. Dobrée; Hornsea, February 2, 1867.

Redbreasted Merganser on the Bandon River.-On the 9th of January, Mr. Abbott, of Kinsale, shot near Castle White, on the Bandon River, a very fine male specimen of this beautiful bird, which has been sent to me for preservation. The severity of the weather has driven an unusual number of wild fowl to our coasts near Youghal.— W. A. Hackett; 38, Patrick Street, Cork.-From the 'Field' of January 26th.

Goosander and other Birds on the Firth.-Yesterday (January 18th) I received from Mr. Singer, of Kincardine, a most magnificent specimen of a male goosander, without spot or blemish: in writing to me he says, "During my long experience I have never met with one here before." However, I believe that the goosander is not uncommon in the Firth in severe seasons. One was shot on our river two winters ago, but its plumage was not nearly so rich as that of this specimen. Mr. Singer also sent me two male specimens of the pochard and two goldeneye ducks, both of which birds are very plentiful at present in the Firth.-John A. Harvie Brown; Dunipace House, Falkirk.

Little Grebe affected by the Cold.-As an evidence of the intensity of the frost which occurred at the beginning of this month, I may mention that a pair of the little grebe allowed themselves to be picked up by the hand. Mr. William Buck, of King's Newton, found them sitting under a willow-bush, and had no difficulty in taking them:

they were male and female.-J. J. Briggs; King's Newton, Swarkeston, Derbyshire.— From the Field' of January 19th.

Both

The Little Auk and Hen Harrier in the West of England.—A good specimen of the little auk was shot the first week in January, at Fairford, Gloucestershire. A fine male hen harrier was shot on the 5th of January, near Holsworthy, Devon. birds may be seen at Mr. White's, birdstuffer, Bath-road, Cheltenham.-From the 'Field' of January 12.

Query respecting Gulls in Kent.—I should be much obliged if any of the readers of the Zoologist' could inform me what are the two common species of gull that frequent the fields near the Thames and Medway: one is an ordinarily sized gull, probably the common gull or kittiwake, having the under parts very pure white, and the under surface of the tips of the wings brown: the other is a very large gull, perhaps one of the blackbacked gulls. They feed on the sprats used as manure.-Clifton.

Masked, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls near Scarborough.—Within the last week I have had the following birds brought to me for my collection:-On the 15th of January, a mature specimen of the masked gull, in winter plumage, and an Iceland gull, in immature plumage; and on the 19th, a splendid old female glaucous gull, with a few brown feathers on the neck, otherwise a perfectly full-plumaged bird; and a beautiful old male goosander, in full plumage. We have had an unusual number of purple sandpipers here this year.-John Knight; St. Thomas's House, Scarborough. From the Field' of January 26th.

Ornithological Notes from Stirlingshire.-On the 15th of January an immense flock of bramblings passed overhead, flying in a north-easterly direction. The flock took the form of a column, which must have been at least a quarter of a mile in length by some fifteen yards in breadth: it presented a most singular appearance when viewed at some little distance: every slight alteration in the direction of flight of the birds in the van was copied by all the members of the flock behind, thus giving to the column the appearance of a great winged serpent, as it twisted and undulated onward. They were flying at no great height from the ground, say some forty feet, and I saw them distinctly as they passed over, and did not notice a single chaffinch or green linnet amongst them. Ou the same day I saw a little grebe on the river; they used to breed with us, but are now only seen in severe winters. To-day (January 19th) the keeper and I each killed one water rail: since I recorded those seen and procured in the winter of 1864-65 (Zool. 9468), when three altogether were obtained, none have appeared here until this winter.-John A. Harvie Brown; Dunipace House, Falkirk.

Ornithological Notes from Buckinghamshire.—Several wild geese have been observed in the neighbourhood of Eton during the late severe frosts: six were seen to pass over the Thames, near Clewer, on the morning of the 25th of January. Seven wild ducks passed up the River Thames, near Datchet, on the 20th of January; I saw three heading for Ditton Park on the 25th, and several more have been seen and shot during the last fortnight: I hear that most of those which were shot were in capital condition. A widgeon was shot near Surley, on the Thames, by a man on the 24th. Redwings are now common in this neighbourhood. Fieldfares are very abundant. I saw two kestrels hovering over a field by the river on the 25th: they are common here, two or three being continually seen in this same meadow. Nightjars are abundant in the vicinity of Slough and Eton. Many herons have been shot lately on Dawney Common, near Eton, where I believe many are seen together. A few herring