Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/218

190 or general moult. From these new feathers, or stumps of feathers, were emerging the plume-like feathers which in another month would have given the bird her full ornament: one or two of the occipital plumes were grown out, and the rest visible. It is a question, therefore, detecting the bird at this period of the year in this state, whether or not these plumes are not characteristic of summer livery, and whether they are not shed at the autumnal moult. I have, at least, thought it worth while to give you an opportunity of recording what I consider may be just desirable for your readers to know. On the craw of this bird being opened it was found to contain a shrew mouse, in an entire state, and also the remains of many Coleoptera.—Id.

Note on the early breeding of the Ring Plover. The ring dotterel (Charadius Hiaticula) appears to be an early breeder, from my having received this day two eggs from the Scilly Islands.— Id.; April 25, 1843.

Note on the occurrence of Richard's Pipit in Cornwall. Thinking information respecting so rare a bird as Eichard's Pipit (Anthus Ricardi) would be interesting, I send an account of some captures that have taken place here, as I am not aware they have appeared in any publication. Mr. Vingoe shot four of these birds; two at one shot near Marazion, and two near his own house at Penzance. He states that he saw one perching upon a small rail, though it has been denied that this species ever does perch. Their actions and note he thought similar to those of the other pipits, but perhaps a little approaching to those of the wagtails. Several ornithologists give the whole length of Richard's pipit about 6f inches, the same as that of the rock pipit (Anthus petrosus), whereas none of the birds killed here, all of which I have seen, measure less than 7½ inches; and, from their tarsi being a little longer in proportion than those of the rock pipit, they have a considerably larger and taller appearance than that bird.

The following are some measurements of the largest bird of the four:

This species appears to be equally rare here and upon the Continent: where is its natural habitat?—A. Greenwood; Penzance, Cornwall, April 25, 1843.

Note on the Pied Wagtail. In a preceding paper on the pied wagtail (Zool. 137), I endeavoured, in as condensed a form as possible, to offer the result of my observations on the migration and local distribution of that bird in Sussex. I have now to add, that after carefully examining and dissecting a great number of recent specimens, during March and April, I am still of opinion that the males do not acquire the perfect adult dorsal plumage until after the second spring moult; and the same remark applies in a certain degree to the females, many of which, after assuming the breeding plumage, are of a lighter colour than others. On the 14th of April I shot two pied wagtails which appeared to have a nest, and which, externally, resembled each other so closely, that it was not easy, until after dissection, to ascertain that they were male and female. The latter I conceive to have been an old bird, and the former a male of the preceding year.—A.E. Knox; New Grove, Petworth, April 29, 1843.