Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/540

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A British example of the White-spotted Bluethroat.—At the meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, held on Oct. 22nd, I had the pleasure of exhibiting the first authentic British-killed White-spotted Bluethroat (Cyanecula wolfi). This example—a fine adult male—was picked up dead close to the lighthouse at Dungeness, Kent, by a man named Gasson, on Oct. 6th of this year, and sent by him to Mr. Bristow on Oct. 8th, who on that date brought it up to me for examination in the flesh. My best thanks are due to Mr. Bristow for bringing it to me, and for lending it to me for exhibition.— (10, Charles Road, St. Leonards).

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) on the Somerset Coast.—Mr. William Eagle Clarke, who deserves the gratitude of all ornithologists for the trouble he has taken in working out the migratory movements of some of our British birds, considers that the White Wagtail visits our islands chiefly as a bird of passage, en route to and from some northern breeding grounds, and that the west coasts of Britain form the main route followed by the migrants (see Third Interim Beport of Committee appointed by the British Association to work out details of Bird Migration). As any evidence in support of a theory is useful, I may say that according to my experience this species is by no means uncommon on the coast of Somerset at the time of the spring migration. I have frequently noticed White Wagtails during the month of April on the sands near Weston-super-Mare, usually singly or in small parties consisting of two or three birds. The following dates of occurrences are taken from my note-books:—1898, April 12th and 18th; 1900, April 20th, 21st, and 27th; 1902, April 13th. During a ramble along the coast on April 23rd, 1902, I saw several of these birds between Blue Anchor and Watchet, and an observer at Minehead has informed me that they occur on the shore there in spring in good numbers, but only remain a short time. The species has also been noticed near Bristol, so it seems to be well distributed along the Somerset coast at the time of the spring passage, and if looked for at that time, when it may easily be distinguished from the Pied Wagtail