48 MISCELLANY. 



it is an impossibility for a living animal to support the enormous pressure which 

 the deep-seated rocks or beds of limestone have undergone ; and the inconsistency 

 of a Toad being associated with marine exuviae is so great that I cannot imagine 

 its occurrence. — W. H. Benshed, Maidstone, Nov. 6, 1837. 



Snowy Owl (Surnia nyctea) shot in Dorsetshire. — Our esteemed corres- 

 pondent Mr. Dale informs us, in a communication dated Dec. 12, 1837, that a 

 Snowy Owl or Sum has been shot at Langton, near Blandford, by J. J. Far- 

 quiiarson, Esq., but at what period is not stated. — Ed. 



Capture op an Eagle by a Boy. — A few days ago an Eagle was discovered 

 on Thwaites Fell, near Broughton-in-Furness, by a boy of the name of Jack- 

 son, of Swinside. The Eagle being on a low or level ground, was unable to rise, 

 and the boy, after a " hard siege," brought home the vanquished bird, though 

 not without the usual tokens of war amongst boys, — viz., tattered garments. 

 The Eagle, which is a remarkably fine one, and of a large size, is now in the 

 possession of John Lewthwaite, Esq., of Broadgate. — Kendal Mercury. 



Capture of a Whale. — A fine young Whale, about 21 feet in length, was 

 caught near the shore, between Newlyn and Mousehole, on Saturday last. Some 

 fishermen of Newlyn, who discovered this monster of the deep, went out in a 

 boat, and were successful in fixing a small anchor in his blowing-hole, by which 

 means it was drawn to the shore. It exercised its tail tremendously in the 

 water, and would have smashed the boat to pieces if it had been within 

 reach of the blows. — West Briton. 



[The value of these two communications would have been greatly enhanced 

 had the species been mentioned in both cases. At present they are of compara- 

 tively little use to the naturalist. — Ed. Nat.~\ 



Addition to Mr. Dale's Catalogue of Dorsetshire Coleoptera — To 

 my former list I have to add, li. Pgicilus. — 5. eryihropus. Portland, May, 

 1837. — Pogonus Burrellii. Charmouth, Sept,, 1837. — Forficula, a new spe- 

 cies (?) without wings. Charmouth, Sept., 1838. — Peronea umbrana. St.- 

 Caundle, Mr. Serrell. — Tephritis guttularis. G. W. — T. Westermanni. Char- 

 mouth. — Leia pulchella. G. W. — Gonia auriceps? Portland, May, 1837. — 

 Teichomyza fusca. Blandford. November & February ! — Ckyliza leptogaster. 

 — Ocyptera interrupta. Knighton Heath. — J. C. Dale, Glanville's Wootton, 

 Dorsetshire, Nov. 3, 1837. 



Large Ray found off Feroe. — In October last an enormous Ray-fish was 

 found off Feroe, which weighed 384 pounds, was 13 inches thick, 8 feet 8 

 inches long, and 6 feet 2 inches wide. — Ed. 



On Changes of Colour in the Plumage of Birds without Moulting. 

 — The inclosed skins of two female Whin Chats are excellent specimens of the 

 immense seasonal change which takes place in the plumage of several of our 



