Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/51

Rh Ferruginous Duck in Ireland.—On Nov. 27th, 1897, I purchased, in our Market Hall, a young male example of Fuligula nyroca, which I was assured—and I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the statement—was received with Mallard and other produce from the South of Ireland. But the dealer could not say which county it came from, as consignments were constantly received both from Limerick and Dublin, and these being indiscriminately mixed, it was impossible to distinguish this bird from the other small Ducks they had. It was fortunate I detected it, among a bundle of other Ducks, when I did, as it would certainly have been plucked the same night.— (7, Holloway Head, Birmingham).

Corncrake in December.—It may be worth mentioning that I have received a specimen of Crex pratensis, shot last Dec. 2nd in Scotland.— (7, Holloway Head, Birmingham).

Pectoral Sandpiper in Norfolk.—While punting on Breydon, Norfolk, on Aug. 18th, 1897, with my brother, we procured a female Pectoral Sandpiper (Tringa maculata). It was near the mouth of the large dyke known as the "Ship Run," and was in company with some Ring Plovers and Dunlins. The whole flock rose, and we killed several. The Sandpiper remained on the flats alone, and on being flushed flew very fast and low, making no noise whatever, and was secured by my brother. It is an adult female, and shows the arrow pencillings on the breast. In measurement it is slightly less than the Caister specimen in the Norwich Museum. Through the kindness of Prof. Newton I have been able to compare it with a set of skins, both of T. maculata and T. acuminata, and am convinced that my bird belongs to the American race.— (62, Jesus Lane, Cambridge).

Variety of the Common Guillemot.—A beautiful variety of Uria troile was caught on Dec. 4th in Scarborough Harbour. Its entire under parts and head are white, whilst its back and wings are of a whity-brown colour, and its bill, feet, and legs yellowish white. A bird of this description is extremely rare. A similar one was obtained a few years ago at Filey. The writer has visited Speeton Cliffs for many years during the breeding season, and amongst the vast numbers of birds which annually resort there for breeding purposes has never seen but one creamy-coloured Guillemot. The bird in question was placed in my hands for preservation.— (King Street, Scarborough).

On the reported Summer Appearance of two Species of Birds in Lapland.—In 'The Zoologist' (1897, p. 498) is a narrative of a walk across Finmarken by Messrs. Playne and Wollaston. The authors state that on a small lake not far from Alten they saw a specimen of Bernicla