92 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



The Blackstart. — There have been a few specimens of the Blackstart here 

 this autumn in the usual sombre plumage of the season; whether they are 

 young birds, or all take the same plumage prior to their migration, I have 

 not yet been able to determine, but I have never in the autumn found them 

 but in the same state of plumage. — Stephen Clogg, Looe, Dec. 18th., 1855. 



Flight of Martins. — On the 29th. of November I saw a large flight of 

 Martins here, and although there had been very severe frost, they did not 

 appear very weak. One was shot, with the intention of being preserved, but 

 it was not found in sufficient good plumage for that purpose, not having 

 got rid of its nest feathers. It was very plump in flesh. On the 4th. of 

 this month I also saw four Martins flying about, but appearing in very poor 

 plight, as we had one of the severest frosts the night before I ever remember 

 at this time of the year, — Idem. 



Scarcity of Birds. — Last winter made sad havoc with the Thrush tribe, 

 nor do they seem to have much recruited during the summer, as we scarcely 

 see any Blackbirds or Thrushes in haunts where in former years they were 

 to be found by dozens. I took a walk of many miles in the country last 

 week, through lanes, open pastures, and on the sea coast, and saw but one 

 solitary Blackbird during my walk. Fieldfares and Redwings have not yet 

 arrived, but here and there a few Starlings are to be seen; in fact, birds of 

 all kinds are scarcer in this neighbourhood than I ever before remember. 

 — Idem. 



Occurrence of the Great Plover and Spotted Crake in Devon. — On the 

 24th. of last month I bought an adult specimen of the Great Plover, or 

 Thick-knee, {(Edicnemus crepitans,) in the Plymouth Market, killed in the 

 neighbourhood. I believe that it is not generally known that the enlarge- 

 ment of the knee-joints and tarsi in this species is confined to young birds 

 only. This I have found to be the case from repeated examination. A 

 similar peculiarity of formation I have observed to exist in the legs of the 

 young Green Sandpiper. A fine example of the Spotted Crake (Crex por- 

 zana) was obtained in the vicinity of Plymouth a short time since, and 

 some others seen in the same locality. — John Gatcombe, Wyndham Place, 

 Plymouth, December 3rd., 1855. 



The Ring Ouzel. — A Eing Ouzel (a hen) was shot here, and sent to me 

 on the 2nd. of February of this year. I mention this as a rare case, for 

 "White, in his "Natural History of Selborne," says that Ouzels migrate in 

 the autumn from the north to the south; and the old people here consider 

 the appearance of an Ouzel as a sign of approaching summer. But I see 

 that White also says, "the Ring Ouzel stays in Scotland the whole year 

 round;" perhaps then, as this is the case, it may occur that an occasional 

 Ouzel may be left behind in their migrations; and this may account for 



