Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/18

xii Lastly, the Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) has been killed in Scot- land (Zool. 1501). Although my own opinion may perhaps differ from that of some of my subscribers, I may be pardoned in express- ing my opinion that the Spotted Eagle should be regarded as a real addition to the list of British Birds; the Belted Kingfisher and Spine-tailed Swallow as voluntary visitors ; and the Whidah- bird, Weaver-bird, and Swan as probably stragglers from aviaries or ponds. Another new Swallow was mentioned in the concluding number for the year (Zool. 1550). This bird is probably a variety of the common house-martin, differing materially in wanting the usual white markings, and also as Mr. Yarrell has pointed out to me, in the greater length of its wings, which exceeds by the eighth of an inch any adult specimen which that gentleman possesses.

The nest and eggs of Savi's Warbler (Salicaria luscinioides) are first described in the present volume by Mr. Bond (Zool. 1212).

The paper on the Birds of Norfolk, by Messrs. J. H. Gurney and W. R. Fisher (Zool. 1300, &c.) is one, which I am compelled to notice as everything that can be desired : equal care is exhibited throughout, in discarding the erroneous and doubtful, and in ascer- taining and preserving all that is true.

Two Fishes, new to Britain, are described; the Six-branchial or Gray Shark (Notidanus griseus), by Mr. Couch (Zool. 1337), and the Long-finned Tunny (Orcynus alâ longâ), by Mr. R. Q. Couch (Zool. 1413). The last-named gentleman has also contributed the most valuable and interesting record of the habits of fishes (Zool. 1400, &c.) that has ever been published. The accuracy and sterling worth of the remarks of these two gentlemen cannot be estimated too highly ; they tend to the great desideratum of making us familiar with the inhabitants of the sea, that treasury of nature which circumstances tend to seal hermetically against the majority of her votaries.

The past summer has been remarkably prolific in rare British Insects, especially among the Sphingidac, and the * Zoologist ' being