144 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



Oceurrenee of the Iceland Oull, and other scarce birds, in the iieiglibouiliood 

 of Plymouth, during the severe frost of January and February, 1855. The 

 Iceland Oull (Larus leucopterus) was obtained by the Rev. R. A. Julian, Jan. 

 30th, on the Laira. This species is far less frequent with us than Larus 

 glaucus. Indeed, the only specimen I know of, killed in this locality, is in 

 the collection of Dr. Moore, of Plymouth, where it has been for many years. 

 During the late severe weather, some fine examples of the Gadwall, Goos- 

 ander, and Smew have been killed ; also many Bitterns. The cold appears 

 to have had great effect on the Common Heron, from the unusual quantity 

 received by the Taxidermists of Plymouth for preservation. — John Gat- 

 combe,, Wyndham-Place, Plymouth, March 10th, 1855. 



A Greater Shearivater (Puftinus major) was taken alive, in Skinner Lane, 

 Leeds, October 6th, 1854. — R. Hobson, M.D., Leeds. 



Rare Birds near Worcester. — A few days since, I killed near this place a 

 specimen of the Girl Bunting. [Emleriza Cirlus.) it was a male, and was 

 feeding on seeds with a flock of Emberiza citrinella. A specimen of the Orto- 

 lan, {Emberiza schceniclus,) [Quere, E. Hortulana, B.B.M.,] was also shot by a 

 friend a short time ago, amongst others of the yellow species. These are 

 the only individuals of their species I have yet seen in this neighbour- 

 hood, but I am incHned to believe they are much more numerous than is 

 generally supposed, and are by most persons confounded with the commoner 

 species, owing to their great resemblance. In the month of March last, 

 a gamekeeper brought me two male Ring Ouzels, {Turdus torquatus) which 

 he had shot on Broadway Hill. He had never seen birds like them before, 

 and called them " fancy blackbirds." The only other specimen of this bird 

 I have seen here, was Idlled some years ago, in the autumn ; so that they 

 were only migrating stragglers. — J. N. Beadles, Surgeon, Broadway, Worces- 

 tershire, Dec. 6th, 1854. 



Occurrence of Bare Birds at Bedcar. — Five specimens of the Grey Phal- 

 arope (Phalaropus lobatus) were killed here during the months of November 

 and December, and other two seen about a fortnight ago. A fine specimen 

 of that very rare bird, the Shore Larh, (Alauda alpestris,) and a fine imma- 

 ture specimen of the Iceland Gull (Larus Icelandicus) were also killed. — 

 T. S. RuDD, Redcar, 17th Jan. 1855. 



jTlie Wolf Fish. {Anarrhichus lupus.) — This fish is veiy common here, and 

 agrees in size with those of your correspondent. Our fishermen generally 

 call them "WaufFs," and (alas! in these days of education) appear to enter- 

 tain some little degree of superstition as to selling them ; they invariably 

 divide the captui-ed fish amongst their mates, and undoubtedly they well 

 know its richness. — D. Feeguson, Redcar, Oct. 5th, 1854. 



