Queries and Afiswet's, 20V 



A Species of Plover was shot by my brother last winter, which nearly 

 agrees in colour with one described by Dr. Tiirton, as a variety of the 

 golden plover inhabiting the island of St. Domingo ; but I think, from its 

 superior size and some other distinctive marks, ornithologists might be dis- 

 posed to make it a separate species. I made a memorandum, at the time, 

 of its colours, &c., as well as I was capable, which is as follows : — Bill near 

 an inch long, dark brown ; head, hind part of the neck, back, and covers 

 of the wings, dark brown tipped with ochraceous, which gives it a spotted 

 appearance; legs dark, with three toes, which have a membrane extending 

 to, the first joint, no spur; cheeks, chin, and upper part of the breast, 

 like the missel thrush ; the remaining part of the breast and belly 

 white, with large black spots. Length 10 inches ; breadth 21 inches from 

 the tips of the wings. It is here a scarce bird, and solitary. The golden 

 plover generally comes here in small flocks. I should be glad to be in- 

 formed by any of your numerous correspondents (if they can make it out 

 from this description), whether it frequents any other part of the island 

 of Great Britain ; and if so, whether single or in small flocks. — Thomas 

 HaivTcins. The Haw, near Gloucester, June 18. 1828. 



European singing Bh^ds in India. — Perhaps some of your correspondents 

 may be able to inform you whether European singing birds are as highly 

 valued in the East Indies now, as it appears by the following note of the 

 prices given for some that they were in January 1782. It is extracted from 

 an account book of the late James Graham, Esq. of Rickenby, near Carlisle;, 

 who resided in India above twenty years : 1 1 goldfinches, 66 Racary rupees 

 (rather more than 2s. each) ; 1 blackbird, 40 rup. ; 1 thrush, 30. rup. ; 

 1 nightingale, 26 rup. ; 1 lark, 25 rup. ; 5 goolsarahs, 24 rup. Can any of 

 your readers inform me what kind of birds the last named are, and how 

 the others thrive in the climate of India? I am, Sir, &c. — W. C. T. 

 March, 1829. 



Scolopax Sabini. — Where could I obtain a coloured representation or any 

 details regarding the 5c61opax Sabini? — A. C.R. March 31. 1829. 



The Bird with a Sound like the Bleating of a Goat. — Sir, For the satis- 

 faction of your correspondents, J. N. and J. M. (Vol. I. p. 297.), I need only 

 refer them to Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary, title " Snipe, common,'* 

 where a description of its habits in the spring will be found recorded almost 

 in the words of J. N. Lest that useful but now rare book should not be 

 in the possession of either, I will copy Montagu's description. " In the 

 breeding season, the snipe changes its note entirely from that in the winter. 

 The male will keep on wing for an hour together, mounting like a lark, 

 uttering a shrill piping noise ; then descend with great velocity, making a 

 bleating sound, not unlike an old goat, which is repeated alternately round 

 the spot possessed by the female, especially while she is sitting on her nest.* 

 Only a few of the snipes remain with us the whole year. The provincial 

 name, heather-bleater, will be found in Montagu's Appendix. Neither the 

 sanderling nor whimbrel, as supposed by J. M., have, I think, any claim to 

 the above habits. — J. F. London, Sept. 25. 1828. 



y The Bird with the Sound like the Bleating of a Goat. — Sir, In your Maga- 

 zine (Vol. I. p. 297.) I find that an erroneous answer has been given to your 

 querist, J. N., respecting the bird called the heather-blite. The bird in 

 question was, without a doubt, the common snipe ((Scolopax Gallinago 

 Lin.). As snipes do not leave this country in the breeding season, I have 

 had frequent opportunities of observing them whilst in the act of making 

 the peculiar sound alluded to by your correspondent, and which they never 

 make at any other season. If you will look into Bewick, you will find that 

 heather-bleater is put down as a provincial name of the common snipe. — 

 J. G. C. Ballitore^ County Kildare, Dec. 6. 1828. 



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