MISCELLANEOUS NOTICKS. 131 



of about two inches. In general character they much resemble the Eunicoe, 

 or Marine Worms of the tropics; and, like this class, are free from any 

 distinct annulatious or markings, with the exception of a singular dorsal 

 ridge. There is no appearance of any swimming appendage; the creature seems 

 more fitted for crawling about the tine mud of a shallow salt-water lagoon. 

 Traces of vegetable impressions, evidently aquatic, are discernible in the same 

 strata. The common Lug Worm, (Arenicola piscatorum,) of our own coast, 

 furnishes us with a good example of this class. 



The discovery of this Annelide I trust will lead to more extended researches 

 in a field of great interest, which will doubtless repay the persevering geologists 

 by the discovery of many new and interesting fossils, hitherto overlooked. 



Leeds, December \^tli., 1851. 



3Jli3tHlnttBati0 pAXim, 



Common Owl, (Strix flammea.) — Some years ago, as two lads were returning from Thelton 

 to Diss on a fine summer's evening, their way led through a beautiful lane, with higli fences 

 on either side. Their unlooked-for presence in this seclusion, gave a momentary terror to a 

 White Owl, as it was winging its way just over their heads, which caused it to drop the 

 Mouse it had secured for its prey; but having recovered its self-possession, it wheeled round, 

 darted down, and once more seized the little creature, Avhich had fallen nearly two yards, and 

 quickly resumed its noiseless flight. This fact was related to me by a gentleman, (one of the 

 lads in question,) many years after, when I was delivering a lecture on Natural History before 

 his workmen. — E. C. Nunn, Diss, Norfolk, December 22nd., 1851. 



Bohemian Chatterer, (Bomby cilia garrula.) — A pair of these beautiful birds, Bohemian Chatterers, 

 a male and female, were shot on the Royden road, near Diss, January 30th., 1835, and were 

 added to the collection of the late Mr. Dowding, Sui-geon, Diss. In a note on page 29, Mr. Brown 

 in his edition of "White's Selbourno," states that these birds always appear in flocks; but from 

 what I can learn fom* or five is the largest number that has ever been seen together in Norfolk 

 or Suffolk; more generally they are found in pairs, and sometimes singly. — Idem. 



Bolicmlan Waxwing, (Bombycilla garrula.) — I beg to state, for insertion in "The Naturalist," 

 that a bird of tliis species was shot near Cork a short time since. — Eblana, Dublm, February 

 13th., 1852. 



Note of the early occurrence of the Wryneck, in Devonshire. — On the 25th. of the present 

 month, a fine specimen of the Wryneck, (Yunx torquilla,) was obtained in the neighbourhood 

 of Plymouth. The rarity of tliis bird in Devon, together with its early appeai-ance, I think 

 warrant a notice being given of its capture. — John Gatcombe, Wyndham Place, Plymouth, 

 March 30th., 1852. 



' Oceurrenee of tlw Ortolan Bunting, (Emberiza hortulana,) at Worthing. — One of these very 

 rare visitors to England was shot on the 27th. of last month, close to the town of Worthing, 

 in Sussex, and about a couple of hundred yards from the sea. It was a male, and in very 

 good plumage. It hiis been capitally preserved, (for the collection of — Stephenson, Esq.,) by 

 Mr. Cooper, of Radnor Street, St. Luke's, who shewed me the bii'd shortly after he received it. 

 — W. F. W. B., London, May 6th., 1852. 



Occurrence of the Jloo^ioe, (Upupa epops,) near London. — Though not so rare a straggler here 

 as the Ortolan, still this pretty bird appears so unfrequently as to make its capture worth record. 

 A female specimen, in clean plumage, was shot at Whetstone, about seven miles north of London, 

 on the 25th. ult. She was busy on the banks of a swampy piece of water, where she seemed 

 to find plenty of food to her taste. Mr. Cooper, the naturalist above referred to, purchased the 

 bird the simie day, and was kind enough to send it for my inspection.— Idem.' 



