Miscellaneous. 137 



Method by which all objects may be polarized under the Micro- 

 scope." 



The analyser consists of a double image prism placed over the 

 eye-piece of the instrument, and a plate of selenite is then put upon 

 the stage ; the edges of the field will then appear coloured, while the 

 centre remains colourless. Any object introduced into the field will 

 exhibit the effects of polarized light with great intensity and purity 

 of colour. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



ADDENDUM TO THE BIRDS OF CORFU. 



Plaialea leucorodia, the Spoonbill or White Spoonbill. 



Corfu, Nov. 15, 1846. 

 This bird, according to Yarrell, is still an occasional summer visitor 

 in England, has been noticed by Mr. Robert Ball in Ireland, by 

 Mr. Eytou in Wales, and by Sibbald and Fleming in the Scottish 

 islands. Of the northern regions its favourite summer resort is 

 Holland, and Temminck says that it is nowhere so a])undant as 

 there. In winter it seeks a warmer abode, and flocks amongst other 

 southern localities to the salt-marshes or sea-coast of Italy, being 

 specially abundant, says Temminck, at Cagliari in Sardinia. In these 

 islands the naturalist has not as yet recorded the Spoonbill, and the 

 occurrence of the present bird, the young of the year, is therefore 

 highly interesting, as offering another line or belt of migration. I 

 received the bird with the blood quite fresh upon it on the 31st of 

 October, and therefore conclude it was shot in the island itself. I 

 was unable to ascertain from the bird-dealer (not the sportsman) who 

 brought it whether others had been seen, but I conclude, as the bird 

 was one of the year, or at least an immature bird, as shown by the 

 beak and quill-feathers, and by the absence of elongated occipital 

 feathers, that it was not alone in its flight. — J. E. Portlock. 



Corfu, Nov. 23, 1846. 



Platalea leucorodia. On inquiry I find that the Spoonbill re- 

 corded by me as appearing at the close of October was one of a 

 flock of about seven birds, three of which, all immature, like the one 

 noticed by me, were shot. Signor Gangadi informs me, that though 

 rare at Corfu it has been occasionally observed, and that he believes 

 it appears every season on the Albanian coast. It is recorded amongst 

 the Dalmatian birds by Dr. Carrara in his work ' Dalmazia descritta ' 

 now publishing. 



I observe also in Dr. Carrara's work, Aquila ncevia, Ardea comata. 

 Sterna leucoptera, birds added by me to the former list of ('orf u birds. 

 — J. E. Portlock. 



ACHILLEA TANACETIFOLIA, ALL. 



This beautiful "plant has been recently added to the list of British 

 species by Mr. John Hardy. He has found it in two places, as he 

 considers, indubitably indigenous and not an escape from cultivation, 



Ann. ^ Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xix. 10 



