Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/157

Rh a rat, portions of which were in the "crop," whilst the tip of the long hairless tail of the rodent protruded from the beak of the bird. I had seen the species but twice before—first in 1884, again in 1894; but, if I recollect rightly, the present specimen had much more white about it than either of the former, and was, I imagine, an older bird.— (Ringwood, Hants).

Nesting of the Hobby in Hants.—From a note on the above subject (ante, p. 24), it is gratifying to observe that this handsome little Falcon (Falco subbuteo) still holds its position as a breeding species in the county, certainly not the first occurrence of its kind. There was a time when the species regularly visited the New Forest, and nested in the woods, coming about the same date as the Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), in May, and on one occasion (as mentioned by Wise, I believe) appropriating an old nest of the Buzzard in which to rear its brood. Only a few years ago I knew of a pair nesting within two or three miles of Ringwood, but the senseless persecution to which all this class of birds is exposed points directly to its growing scarcity and eventual annihilation as a breeding species. It was formerly so well known in the forest as to have the local name of "Van-winged Hawk" applied to it, and though I have never been fortunate enough to find a nest with eggs, yet in former years I have seen both old and young birds, and more than once watched their graceful evolutions as they chased the dragonflies over the forest pond in the daytime, or dashed after the dor-beetle (Geotrupes vernalis) as it disappeared in the increasing dusk.— (Ringwood, Hants).

Little Bustard in Norfolk.—A Little Bustard (Otis tetrax) was shot by Mr. Goodwin at Feltwell, near Downham Market, Norfolk, on Jan. 25th last, and sent for preservation to Mr. Travis, Bury St. Edmunds, in whose shop I saw it in the flesh shortly after it arrived. It was in good condition and perfect plumage.— (Brettenham Park, Ipswich).

Varieties of the Red Grouse.—Although I have examined a great number of European birds in abnormal plumage at home and abroad, I have never yet come across an albino of the Red Grouse (Lagopus scoticus). Numbers of this species come under my notice, and reports of so-called white Grouse reach me from time to time, but they always prove to be pale varieties, wearing, it is true, a bleached look, but far from possessing a really white garb. Such birds are usually females. Lord Lonsdale has one, shot on his estate near Haweswater by Major Parkin, of Ravencragg, in September, 1893. I examined two similar birds in 1894, procured near Girvan and in Avondale. A farmer named Forrester, of Saughtrees, near Bewcastle, shot another—an old hen—at the beginning of October, 1895. But a handsomer bird than any of the foregoing was shot last season on