Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/188

150 was in difficulties, he ran forward to rescue it, if possible; but when he got to the place he saw that there were two birds in the act of treading, the hen being scarcely visible till both rose from the water and flew off. Hitherto I have been under the impression that Kingfishers only entered the water after their prey, leaving it again as soon as they had secured it. I may mention that the river-watcher, who is well versed in the habits of birds, and has been about rivers all his life, has never met with a similar instance.— (The Hall, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury).

Golden Eagle in Co. Donegal.—On the 17th or 18th of March I had the pleasure of seeing a fine Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaëtus) at the establishment of Messrs. Sheals, the taxidermists here, where it had been sent for preservation; it had been caught in a vermin-trap by one of the keepers on Sir James Musgrave's estate in Co. Donegal. Sir James tells me that they protect them as much as possible, although they destroy many Grouse, Hares, and young Lambs. Some time ago he sent a fine specimen to the gardens of the Royal Zoological Society, Dublin, where it was much appreciated, and where, I understand, there were either none or a very poor representative of this species at the time. He also tells me that they breed every year in the mountains round his shooting; he does not grudge them their share of the game, and I sincerely wish every game-preserver throughout the British Isles would look on the few birds of prey left to us in this light.— (Lismore, Windsor, Belfast).

I have also examined the Golden Eagle referred to above. It is a male in splendid plumage, weighing 8¾ lb., and measures 6½ ft. from tip of wings.— (Charlevoix, Marlborough Park, Belfast).

Allen's Gallinule near Yarmouth.—I learn from the Duchess of Bedford that a pair of Porphyriola alleni were certainly turned out with other birds at Woburn Abbey, but this took place in 1889, and it seems quite impossible that either of this pair can be the example captured on a boat off Yarmouth on Jan. 1st, 1902 (cf. ante, p. 98). Even if they had survived so long, they would by that time have been in the adult plumage, which is purple, whereas the Yarmouth specimen is immature.— (Keswick, Norwich).

A Question of Coloration.—On Feb. 8th last, Mr. Alma Nichols, the noted Stalham angler, kindly invited me to go and look at some fish—