Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/514

482 The So-called St. Kilda Wren.—After reading Mr. H.S. Davenport's note (ante, p. 413), I turned to Mr. C. Dixon's book, 'Lost and Vanishing Birds,' where I find the following statement:— "Perhaps we [i.e. Mr. C. Dixon] may be forgiven for taking exceptional interest in the fate of this bird; for we had the pleasure of ascertaining that it differed in certain lvspects from the Wren found in other parts of the British Islands. In 1884, when we brought the first known specimen from St. Kilda, the bird was common enough on all the islands of the group, and its cheery song could be heard everywhere." In the face of this distinct assertion the writer in the 'Spectator' may be excused for speaking of Mr. C. Dixon as the discoverer of the St. Kilda Wren. I will not enter upon the question whether Troglodytes hirtensis is entitled to specific or subspecific rank, though nearly all the authorities, I think, incline to the latter opinion. Mr. Davenport is doubtless right in saying that in 1698 Martin and many other writers since have recorded the existence of a Wren on St. Kilda. But the question is whether Seebohm (Zool. 1884, p. 333) and Mr. Dixon ('Ibis,' 1885, p. 80) were the first to point out that the Wren obtained by Mr. C. Dixon on St. Kilda differed from the Common Wren of the United Kingdom (Troglodytes parvulus). If Mr. C. Dixon was the first to discover this fact, would he not deserve the title of "the discoverer of the St. Kilda Wren," to which Mr. Davenport appears to take exception?— (Shere, Guildford).

Varieties of Green Plover, &c.—We have about here a white-green Plover, a cream Starling, and a grey Sparrow (House). Varieties are much scarcer, at any rate in Notts, than they used to be, and I only hear and see one now and again.— (Rain worth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts).

Scoters in Notts.—Five Scoters (Common) were seen on Lamb Close on Aug. 22nd last. There was one on one of the ponds here about same date.— (Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts).

Crossbills in South-western Hampshire in 1898.—Last year I recorded (Zool. 1897, p. 428) the occurrence of this peculiar species in July in the neighbourhood of Bournemouth. During August last I again visited the same locality, and, strange to say, I saw several of the birds not a hundred yards from the trees where I had detected them the previous season. Amongst the ornamental shrubs and trees planted in the grounds of many of the recently erected "villa" residences, the mountain ash was rather conspicuous from its pretty foliage and the fast ripening bunches of scarlet berries. One morning soon after daybreak I heard quite a "chattering" and apparent commotion with some birds not far from my bedroom, and, having got to the window, I saw that a number of Missel Thrushes, taking advantage of the quiet time and absence of man, were disputing in a