Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/282

256 an ominous manner, having evidently scented his prey before him. After having settled to his own satisfaction the whereabouts of the Moorhens, the Stoat without hesitation entered the water, and began to swim across to the opposite bank; but before he had half-way crossed the stream the old bird, which had been keenly watching her enemy's tactics, flew directly at him, and as she passed over struck at him with her long sharp claws, and turned him completely head over heels in the water. At this unaccustomed treatment the Stoat fairly turned tail, and returned to the bank from whence he had started. But he was not to be vanquished in a moment, and the scent of his prey being too alluring he once more started on his voyage, when once again the Moorhen courageously dashed at him, and treated him in an exactly similar manner, repeating her attacks in this way until the Stoat, being half-drowned, thought that discretion was evidently the better part of valour, and gave up the pursuit; but his troubles were not then ended, as the farmer's gun prevented him from ever repeating a similar attempt.— (Britford Vicarage, Salisbury).

—The Editor's remark, page 229, in connexion with this subject, was evoked partly by the omission, in a newspaper report which he had for reference, of the words "Not having seen Sir William's account" before the words (in the said report) "one is at a loss to know," &c. If this clause be inserted in the page referred to (ninth line from bottom), before the words "and he was at a loss to know," &c., it will, I think, somewhat modify the responsibility of my statement and apparent misquotation. I have taken the opportunity of amending it in the proof of the paper for the 'Proceedings of the Glasgow Natural History Society.'— (Dunipace House, Larbert, N. B.).

—A beautiful variety of the Song Thrush was shot in September last by Sir Henry Boynton, Bart, of Burton Agnes. It retains all the normal markings, but the colour is of a rusty buff or yellowish sandy hue throughout. I may perhaps mention that I have just such another one in my own collection, and always considered it a very rare variety. It is singular how many different birds change to this pale rufous colour. I have three Hedge-sparrows, one Redbreast (similar, though somewhat paler), and a Sky Lark, all of this hue, and have seen others.— (Beverley).

—If one scrap of evidence may be added to the testimony of Messrs. Gurney, Boyes, and Corbin, I may observe that I met a gentleman lately who assured me that the Long-eared Owl is often met with in small "coveys," but being rarer than the short-eared species it does not so often come under the observation of naturalists. He met with a small party of six individuals a little while