Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/298

270 through which she got out! She found herself not absolutely at liberty, but inside a large cage, from which, however, she could have escaped almost anywhere. It would seem as if an inspection brought her to the conclusion that it would be very difficult, perhaps hopeless, to get the young away in safety, so she actually squeezed her way again through the 1½ in. opening back into the box, where she still remains. Sundry scraps of iron and zinc wedged in prevent her again using this hole, but, as before, I did not venture to drive nails, or otherwise make a noise. An unusual display on April 29th of the cub's vocal powers, followed, to the moment of writing (May 3rd), by unwonted silence, may mark the opening of its eyes; for young Martens are blind for a little over four weeks. One of my other Irish Martens (a male) is remarkable for having only scattered flecks of white in place of the normal yellowish-white "shirt-front."— (Thames Bank, Great Marlow, Bucks).

Polydactylism in the Horse.—A colt was produced from a cart-horse early this month at a farm near here. Three of its feet have each two quite divided toes. The left hind foot is normal, and it can walk on the hoof of the right one. The two front feet are rather distorted. Otherwise it is a perfect animal. As this peculiarity seems to point to more than ordinary monstrosity, it may interest some readers of 'The Zoologist.' It appears to be rather improbable that it is a high-bred animal.— (c/o Rev. J. P. Smith, Whixley Vicarage, York).

[With reference to the above interesting record, it may be remembered, as Bateson observes, "Variation in the number of digits in the Horse has been repeatedly observed from the earliest times." The whole subject is treated in that author's 'Materials for the Study of Variation' (pp. 360-73), and many instances given which are grouped and analysed.—]

Swallow-tailed Kite in Suffolk.—Through the kindness of Dr. Otho Travers, of this town, I was lately afforded an opportunity of examining an example of Elanoides furcatus. It passed into the possession of this gentleman from his father, the late Mr. O.W. Travers, by whom it was shot in Suffolk. I am afraid it is now impossible to state either the exact locality in that county or the year, but, so far as Mr. Travers is able to judge, it was shot by his father near the village of Mildenhall between the years 1830–1840; there can, however, be no doubt as to the county. The specimen in question is in excellent preservation, and is the only one killed in Britain known to be in existence. I have carefully sought for indications that the bird had been in confinement, and of this I cannot entertain the