remarked (Zool. S. S. 88) having found ten of these birds in a yew tree at the same place: this was in March.

The Colymbi.-The redthroated diver has been scarce here during the past winter; but the great northern diver has, on the contrary, been more frequently met with than usual on the coast and in our barbours. It would seem, by comparing the notes which have appeared in the 'Zoologist' that these two species have, to a certain extent, "exchanged beats" this winter, Colymbus glacialis taking the place of C. septentrionalis in the south, and vice versa in the north. Since the commencement of the present year several great northern divers have been brought into Chichester, where they are eagerly sought after and bought for the skins, to be cut up as before stated (Zool. S. S. 141) to make plumes for decorating ladies' hats. I have not had an opportunity of examining any of these specimens in the flesh, but from the "remains" I am certain that at least two of them had the upper plumage very much marked with white spots.

Eared Grebe.-A specimen of this rare grebe was shot in Chichester Harbour in the last week of January. Unfortunately I could only obtain the head; the birdstuffer to whom it was sent having received orders to cut up the skin for plumes, which was done before I saw it. This "plume mania" frequently deprives us collectors of a rare bird. I believe this same man had a ringed guillemot to cut up, but not having a chance to see the head of this bird I cannot speak positively about it. The shape of the bill in the eared grebe at once distinguishes it from the Sclavonian grebe, which species it appears mostly to resemble. Some few of the bright feathers which form the tuft on each side of the head are visible in the present specimen. Grebes, on the whole, have been scarce about here this winter; even the dabchick is much more rare than it was a few years ago.

FEBRUARY, 1866.

Common Buzzard.-I obtained a specimen of the common buzzard, in the flesh, on the 3rd; it had been killed at Stanstead, a few days before. This is a very rare bird in Sussex, and I was glad to get it for my collection. It proved, on dissection, to be a female, and although in excellent condition the stomach was quite empty. The general colour of the plumage is rusty brown, with a coppery tinge, the under parts slightly intermixed with white. As Yarrell does not

give much information about the measurements I offer the following, which I took from the present example, previously to skinning:

I would here ask the question, Would it not be advisable that it should be generally understood with the readers of the 'Zoologist' that in measuring the length of any bird the bill be not included?— i. e., measure from base of bill to tip of tail. I am under the impression that such an understanding would in many cases save trouble and confusion, and it appears to me that the bill ought not to be included, as in some species-several of the waders especially—it varies in length considerably in different specimens.

Quail. The quail is not by any means a common bird in this part of Sussex at any time of the year, but appears occasionally to winter with us. In the early part of February I was shown one that had been recently killed in this neighbourhood, and in the month of November, 1863, one was shot at Selsey, where, I was told, a nest and eggs were found the previous summer, but of this I cannot speak with certainty.

Puffin.-A puffin was shot about the 7th in an arm of Chichester Harbour, which runs up to Fishbourne; it was an immature example, the bill not having attained its full depth. It is rarely that this species is met with in our harbours, they having no breeding station nearer than the Isle of Wight.

Wood Pigeon and Stock Dove.-Flocks of wood pigeons have frequented our oak woods throughout the winter, and with them some stock doves, which are here called "blue rocks;" they appear to feed on acorns and perhaps beech-mast. In the winter of 1858-9 woodpigeons were very numerous, more so just about here than they have ever been since.

Ratham, Chichester,

March 5, 1866.

W. JEFFERY, JUN.

Ornithological Notes from the Isle of Wight.
By Captain HENRY HADFIELD.

(Continued from Zool. 9846).

OCTOBER, 1865.

Swan. Since remarking on the plumage of the cygnet (Zool. 9723) the bird has lost the whole of the grayish brown tinge then observable on the lower part of the back, the plumage having for some weeks been of a pure unspotted white all over, proving Yarrell right, and Temminck wrong, with regard to the length of time that this species is in acquiring the perfectly white or adult plumage; but the latter was right, I believe, in thinking that the swan is not perfectly matured till the third year, for the bill of this cygnet is still of a dusky horn-colour, with a slight pinkish or reddish tinge, and there is now seemingly little prospect of its assuming the bright orange colour this (its second) year. Temminck merely remarks that the bill at the second year becomes yellowish.

Blackbird.-October 9th. In my July notes the capture of a young pied bird of this species was recorded, and I then expressed my doubts as to the permanent retention of the white plumage, giving my reasons for it; and subsequent observations has partly verified my conjectures, and confirmed me in the opinion that the white of these pied varieties is not a fast colour. Though the tail-feathers were all white, except at the tips, they are now wholly black, but a few of the exterior coverts are still white, and there is a spot or two of the same on the lower part of the back, and a slight grayish tinge on the upper, also on the wingcoverts, but so faint as to be barely distinguishable, whereas before the moult there was a considerable admixture of white; in fact, the bird is so transformed that even at a short distance it might be taken for one of ordinary colour. The bill, which was of a dusky colour, slightly tinged with yellow, is now almost wholly of the latter colour. In its now perfect adult plumage it appears at least a third larger, and is a remarkably fine and handsome bird. My anticipations being so far fulfilled, I would now venture to predict that at the next moult all traces of these white and grayish tints will have disappeared. The house sparrow is another species subject to these variations of colour: one partially white was observed on the 11th of October. I once shot a sparrow almost white, which proved to be a young bird. Since writing this note, I have chanced to observe in Buffon the following

remark on white swallows, confirmatory of my views, "Il pourroit se faire que cette blancheur ne fût.que passagère, et qu'elle ne reparût point, après la mue; car quoiqu'on voie assez souvent dans les couvées de l'année des individus blancs, il est rare qu'on en voie l'année suivante parmi celles qui reviennent."

Partridge. During one of the late severe gales a covey of partridges took refuge in the small back-yard of a house in the town, surrounded by high walls, where they lay concealed among the leaves of some vegetable-marrow plants till accidentally disturbed.

Blackheaded Gull.-October 14th. Seen about Bembridge Harbour with the herring gull.

Kittiwake. Both old and young birds of this species seen at the same time and place, feeding on the mud-banks at low water.

Teal.—A small flock, numbering six or seven, was observed about the beginning of the month in the neighbourhood of Bembridge.

Curlew. A few have appeared about the marshes of late, and I saw one exposed for sale on the 18th.

Cirl Bunting. October 23rd. Three birds of this species seen this morning in the garden, an immature male and two females I believe. It is somewhat slighter than the yellowhammer, and a neater and more lively bird. The tail appears remarkably long; the head rounded, and the feathers on the crown somewhat raised, whereas in Macgillivray's figure it is flattened and elongated; and the crescentic mark on the fore neck is reversed. He probably was unacquainted with the species, as the description of the female is borrowed from Montagu. Though not a very numerous species, it is by no means uncommon.

Redbacked Shrike.-In my February notes of 1865 the appearance of this shrike-which is a rare bird with us-was recorded; but I omitted to state that I knew of one instance of its building here, a nest having been brought me containing four eggs.

Sparrowhawk.-I have lately heard of one being stunned and captured by coming in contact with a glazed window, when in pursuit of a sparrow flying in at the opening beneath.

Gray Wagtail.--October 31st. This elegant species is now occasionally met with, and two were observed to-day about the Bonchurch pond and brook, their usual haunt. One was running to and fro over the water-lilies, and taking insects from off the floating leaves with which the stream is dotted, and here and there bridged over,—so quick and light the step that the smaller leaves only are perceptibly depressed. In springing from leaf to leaf the wings are seldom raised,

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though a slight vibratory motion is observed. This is, perhaps, the most beautiful and graceful of British birds.

NOVEMBER, 1865.

Swallow and Martin.-November 1st. Though many of both species were to-day observed hawking about the inland cliffs at St. Lawrence, there were few old or forktailed birds among them. Judging from the narrow circles described, their insect food must still be plentiful. I had before seen swallows and martins about these shelving cliffs late in the season, and believe they roost in the crevices and on the ledges. On the 11th some of both species observed at 3 P. M. flying about the Bonchurch cliffs, where I had also noticed a few on the 7th. On the 15th one martin was seen; and on the 16th I saw three swallows about the church spire; thermometer 50° at 9 A. M. 23rd. Three martins observed to-day hawking; weather very wet and mild; thermometer 53° at 9 A. M. 27th. Two martins seen about the sea-cliffs at Shanklin, and I observed a swallow pass over the village at 4 P. M. Magpie.-Is now to be met with in flocks; I saw a small one on the 1st flying in loose order, as is their habit.

House Sparrow.-November 1st. Observed one carrying straw into an ivy-clad tree, but this habit I have more than once had occasion to notice and record. A sparrow found dead on the lawn having been. opened, several small angular pieces of brick were found in the gizzard, so that they could not have been long swallowed.

Lesser Blackbacked Gull.-The plumage of a pair of these gulls, taken from the nest in the Freshwater cliffs during the spring of last year, is in the transition state described by Temminck, and the tail. for the greater part of a brownish-black colour. But there is reason

to believe that the moulting of birds in captivity varies greatly; for instance, a caged bullfinch, whose moult last year was completed by the middle of October, had, at the same period this year, hardly commenced. But may not the unusual mildness of the season partly account for it, and the feathers of birds-as the leaves of trees-fall sooner or later according to the prevailing temperature? The two gulls differ as to size and colour, one being smaller and much lighter than the other. Though tame, they are voracious birds, capturing any unlucky house sparrow that comes within their reach while feeding: this I hear from the owner and his gardener, and I am likewise informed that they have killed a young bantam, which they were endeavouring to swallow. These birds manage to provide for themselves, and