Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/271

Rh visitors we have, our most rare birds; they are not many, but I am sure Mr. Inchbald would like to hear of them—such as the Eagles, Ospreys, Bitterns, Little Bittern—one of the latter only (an exceedingly rare instance)—Hoopoes, Bohemian Chatterer, Roller, Nutcracker, Rose-coloured Ouzel, Oriole, &c." This promised letter is, unfortunately, not to be found—a sad pity. Details of a local Roller would indeed be a welcome addition to the Surrey avifauna. The other letters, though interesting, do not, with one exception, merit specific mention or quotation. The following are the collected notes:—

(Turdus viscivorus).—Mr. Dalgliesh noticed on more than one occasion, in the present winter at Milford, a partial albino of this species. The head, tail, and part of the wings were white.

(T. torquatus).—A party of six were observed near Shalford in October, 1878; a single specimen was observed near Gomshall in the spring of 1879, and another was shot at Chilworth in October, 1880 (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

(Ruticilla titys).—A Mr. Simmons, of Haslemere, owned a specimen, shot about 1830 near that place (F. Styan and J. Mitchell). In a letter dated the 13th of April, 1868, written by Mr. Waring Kidd to Mr. Haines, he says:—"I wonder if you have ever met with the Black Redstart—a winter visitor, although an insectivorous feeder; it is very strange it should arrive here in cold weather. Several of them have been found at Brighton. I have possessed three of them—one obtained at Brighton, one here (Godalming), and one at Harting. All met with in the winter season. The one here, I shot some years ago—thirty or more—in a hop-garden, shaking its tail horizontally, as they all do. It was on the topmost pole, and it puzzled me exceedingly, and being some time in November, and late in the month—too late for the Common Redstart—yet I thought it might be one, and had soiled itself seeking for warmth in some chimney: so I discarded it, which I afterwards regretted very much. It was a female," &c. (Letter of Mr. Waring Kidd, per Mr. R. Haines.)

(Sylvia undata).—Mr. J.M. Mitchell observed a pair in a secluded corner of Wandsworth Common for