Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/344

316 pairs remained for the purpose of breeding. On the 4th of April I saw a flock of these birds, for the last time, which then appeared to be in the midst of one of those consultations, if they may be so called, which have so often been observed to take place among members of the Corvus tribe. After that day, only a few scattered individuals were seen till about the 26th, when I lost sight of them, and my attention being directed to something else, the subject almost escaped my memory. On the 20th of this month, however, I was rather surprised by seeing three of these crows feeding in the marshes about two miles from Yarmouth, and judging from its small size, and the apparent imperfection of its quill feathers, I strongly suspect that one of them was a young bird. I have since tried, but unsuccessfully, to get a shot at them. I find they have been seen for some time by several of the gunners who frequent the marshes, but not being aware of their rarity at this time of the year, they took little notice of them.—William R. Fisher; Great Yarmouth, July 25, 1843.

Note on the Pigmy Curlew and Dunlin. A specimen of the pigmy curlew was brought me yesterday morning; it is beginning to assume the winter plumage, the breast being covered with patches of white mixed with the red tint of summer. A strong breeze from the N.W. has also brought a number of dunlins, which have already lost all vestige of their summer plumage, the breast and belly being now quite white: or perhaps the birds of which the flock is composed, are the young of the year, which have never assumed the dress that distinguishes the old birds during the breeding season.—Id.

Note on the occurrence of the Lark Bunting near Milnthorpe. I am glad to have it in my power to record the capture of a fine specimen of the lark bunting (Plectrophanes lapponica) near this place, about ten days ago. This very scarce bird was brought me by a professional bird-catcher, who, though .he was evidently aware he had fallen in with a rara avis, knew nothing more about it than that it was a bird he had never seen before. He described it as having been very wary, and difficult of approach, but after a whole day spent in the attempt, was enticed into a trap cage. It is at present in very good health, apparently happy, and enjoying partial liberty in a large aviary, where many other former denizens of the air are provided with comfortable board and lodging, and abundance of sunshine and shade, as necessity or inclination may dictate. The bird in question exhibits the sombre plumage of the female, as described by Selby and Yarrell; but should it ultimately assume the more varied garb of the male, I 'shall only be too happy to record it in the pages of 'The Zoologist.' Confined in the same aviary I possess a very beautiful specimen of the snow bunting (P. nivalis), which (with another of the same species) was captured in the neighbourhood of Kendal during the last winter. This fellow also seems quite reconciled to his situation, and, as escape is hopeless, makes the best of it, like a philosopher, and takes his daily meals of rape, canary or hemp seed, and now and then a sprinkling of oats, with apparent satisfaction. I have reason to believe that this bird also is a female. It may be that partial domestication has, in some degree, changed its habits, or perchance, like many individuals of a higher grade, it has conformed to those of the society in which it lives, for, contrary to what has been recorded of this bird in a state of nature, it seems to prefer a high and slender twig to perch upon, either to the ground, or some stronger poles that were originally designed for silver pheasants. Both the birds above mentioned are strong and powerful, very lively in their habits, and most amicably disposed towards each other, and the rest of the feathered tribe around them.— S.H. Haslam; Greenside Cottage, Milnthorpe, July 8, 1843.