Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/537

Rh years ago I first heard the name used by a fishmonger when he offered me a Sheldrake for sale.— (Richmond Hill, Bath).

[In Dr. Bowdler Sharpe's 'Handbook of the Birds of Great Britain' will be found an observation by Mr. W.E. de Winton, "that in South Wales the local names for this species are 'Perrénet' and 'St. George's Duck."'— Ed.]

Fork-tailed Petrel in East Suffolk.—A specimen of this bird was picked up on the ground alive, but quite exhausted, not far from the pier at Lowestoft, on Oct. 4th, and received by me in the flesh a few days later. It was in very good condition.— (Tostock Rectory, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk).

Nesting of the Great Northern and Black-throated Divers in Shetland.—At the request of Mr. O.V. Aplin (ante p. 425), I give below the extract from my note-book recording the finding of the eggs of Colymbus glacialis. I was under the impression that this species had been proved to have bred in the British Islands. The resident who gave me the locality said he had found them there some years ago, and had then taken their eggs. I have written to him to supply, if possible, the date, and also particulars of the finding of the Black-throated Diver breeding, but for obvious reasons I do not care, nor have I permission, to publish his name. The note, made on the spot, is as follows:—"June 2nd. Started for walk over the hills towards Clouster. After going about seven miles I came across a fair-sized loch, seemingly miles from any habitation, and on glassing it I saw a Diver swimming near the shore. Creeping cautiously nearer, I came to about seventy yards from the place, when up got a couple of Great Northern Divers. Their heavy and laboured flight reminded me greatly of that of the Shag. I had my glass on them, so at once distinguished them before finding the eggs. They were placed on the summit of a slight grassy slope, and were about six feet from the water, the grass being merely flattened for their reception. The intervening track, mentioned as usually being found, was wanting in this case; but no doubt this may be accounted for by the eggs being only slightly incubated. I lay in wait for an hour, but the birds showed no signs of returning; and next day I had to leave the neighbourhood." The dimensions of the eggs are 3·80 x 2·15 and 3·55 x 2·15.— (Hendon, Middlesex).

P.S.—The following is the reply which I have received from the resident in Shetland. It will be noticed he bears out my statement (made in my list of birds observed) that the Common Tern is there:—"Oct. 10th, 1897. Great Northern Diver's eggs I took several times previous to 1880. After 1883 I was absent three years, and on my return I found sad havoc