Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/235

Rh clouded and uncertain in outline. The most interesting variety I have seen was a Starling, which had been caught in a trap early in January. The head is much darker than the rest of the body, the back, wings, and tail are of a pale reddish buff, the under parts being of a darker hue, and the whole plumage is very closely and prettily speckled, the tip of each feather being more or less white instead of amber, as in the ordinary bird. Viewed at a little distance, the bird has a dark head, and the plumage gets gradually lighter to the tips of wings and tail, which are almost white. The legs and feet are of the usual reddish brown, beak the horn-colour of winter, and the eyes were normal. The person to whom the specimen belonged suggested that it was an undeveloped albino, but I think not, as in the white Starlings I have seen the legs and beak were much paler, and, if I recollect rightly, the eyes were pink, which, I believe, are the characteristic marks of a true albino.— (Ringwood).

A Mimicking Song-Thrush.—Many birds are well known to be gifted with the power of imitating the songs of other birds, but until this morning (May 5th) I was not aware that the Song-Thrush (whose performance I have always thought rather poor) had the power of imitation well developed. A Thrush sings nearly all day in my garden, where I suspect it has its nest, and its cheerful but monotonous notes are heard from about 4 a.m. until dark. I have, however, been under the impression that this spring my garden has been specially favoured 'by various British songsters—the Robin, Hedge-Accentor, and Great Tit I have seen repeatedly—but the notes of the Wren, Willow-Warbler, and Spotted Flycatcher have on several occasions awakened my interest. This morning, whilst watching the Thrush in one of my trees, I heard him imitate the Wren, Robin, Spotted Flycatcher, Starling, and Great Tit perfectly. Surely this is unusual.— (124, Beckenham Boad, Beckenham).

Early Flycatcher in Northumberland.—On April 24th, near Shotley Bridge, I saw for a moment two birds which I felt almost sure were Spotted Flycatchers (Muscicapa grisola). I could not, however, stop to make sure; but three days later (on the 27th) I saw two Spotted Flycatchers in the valley of the Blyth at Stannington, near Morpeth, and watched them for some time at a distance of five or six yards. There was nothing to show that the birds were a pair. I have never previously seen a Flycatcher before the 12th of May.— (Natural History Museum, Newcastle-on-Tyne).

Lesser Redpoll breeding in Yorkshire.— In the month of February Zool. 4th ser. vol. VI., May, 1902.