MISCELLANIES. 53 



A Robin Redbreast ( Rubecula familiar -is ) with the Mandibles of the Bill 

 crossed. — A curious specimen of the Robin Redbreast has lately fallen into my 

 possession, with the mandibles of the bill slightly crossing each other, in the man- 

 ner of those of the Crossbills ( Crucirostra ) . In the plumage there is nothing 

 remarkable. I doubt not, that in time the deformity would have increased, and 

 perhaps eventually have prevented the poor bird from obtaining its food, for which 

 purpose it requires a bill formed as Nature forms it for the rest of the species. A 

 bill adapted only for procuring another kind of food (such, for instance, as the 

 Crossbills subsist on), would be worse than useless ; and the above-mentioned 

 Robin Redbreast would have been starved to death, as not unfrequently has been 

 the lot of birds whose bills have, from some unknown cause, grown to an un- 

 natural size or shape. No birds appear more subject to these deformities than 

 the Starlings, at least as far as my knowledge goes. — The curious specimen I have 

 here noticed has been preserved by Mr. Hugh Re id, of this town, whom I have 

 no hesitation in pronouncing to be unrivalled in his art, and to be excelled by 

 no preserver of birds in the united kingdom. — F. 0. Morris, Doncaster, March 18, 

 1837. 



The Birds of Scotland in theWinter of 1 836-7. — It is strange, that although 

 the winter has been unusually severe in this part of the country, scarcely a single 

 rare bird has made its appearance here. We have snow at present on the ground, 

 and I can find nothing better than Fieldfare and Redwing Thrushes, and such- 

 like. To-day, however, I shot two Reed Buntings, and saw a Grey Wagtail, of 

 both which species it is very seldom that an individual is seen here in winter. — 

 W. MacGillivray, 16, Minto Street, Newington, Edinburgh, March 15, 1837. — 



Capture of the Jer Falcon (Falco Islandicus) near York. — A fine adult 

 specimen of the Jer Falcon, one of the rarest of the British Falconidce, was shot 

 at Storthwaite, a few miles from this city, on the 15th instant, and is now in my 

 possession. It is shot in each wing, but not wounded in the body. Like most 

 birds of the family when captured, it sulked and entirely refused all food for the 

 first four days ; it now begins to eat a little, but will only feed on fresh killed 

 birds. I am in hopes its life will be preserved. — Thomas Allis, York, 2d Month 

 21; 1837. 



Singular Locality for the Common Conger (Conger vulgaris, Cuv.)— A 

 little mine has lately been set on foot at Newlyn, near Penzance ; and not beincr 

 able to open their adit on the course of the lode, in consequence of a fish-cellar 

 over it, the miners were compelled to drive in another direction to come on the 

 lode, when they found a cavity in the earth about 18 feet in length, with water a 



