G-18 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 



example of the Snow-Finch (Montifringilla nivalis) which 

 had heen shot at Rye Harbour, Sussex, on February 22nd. 

 On the day previous, while shooting at Rye, I saw this bird 

 amongst a large flock of Skylarks ; but, owing to its excessive 

 shynesss, I was unable to secure it. The next day, however, 

 the bird was shot and sent to Mr. Bristow, of St. Leonard's, 

 for preservation, and 1 had the good fortune to examine it 

 in the flesh. 



When seen alive this bird appeared to me to be not unlike 

 a Snow-Bunting, but the flight was much less buoyant than 

 that of the latter species. The occurrence of this bird, 

 new to the British list, is of interest, as it is a bird which is 

 said to have no proper migrations, but merely descends from 

 the highest mountain-ranges of Europe to the lower-lying 

 districts in winter. The same, however, lias been believed 

 of the Water-Pipit, but the latter is undoubtedly a regular 

 visitor to England on migration, both in autumn and spring ; 

 and, during the week in which the Snow-Finch was shot, I 

 saw several unmistakable Water- Pipits on the salt-marshes 

 near Rye. This is somewhat noteworthy, as I believe the 

 nesting-stations of these two species overlap. 



A strong north-easterly gale had been blowing for three 

 days, accompanied by heavy hailstorms. 



The Snow-Finch has twice been reported from Heligoland, 

 the first occurrence being on March 30th, 1849, and on one 

 other occasion in autumn it was seen, but not obtained 

 (Giitke). The bird obtained at Rye is, 1 believe, in the 

 possession of the man who shot it. 



Yours &c, 



Michael J. Nicoll. 



10 Charles Road, St. Leonard's-on-Sea, 

 25th July, 190o. 



Sirs, — Will you kindly make known by a short paragraph 

 in ' The Ibis ' that I shall be pleased to forward a copy of 

 my reprint of " Yroeg's Adumbratiuncula, 1764," so far as 



