I30 



THE BIRDS OF ESSEX. 



(34. 32) "a perfectly white variety," probably a female, on July 31st, 1864. 

 On February iSth, 1880, I saw a cream-coloured specimen in a flock here. 

 Mr. Hope informs me that he saw a white variety last year. At Orsett there 

 is a stuffed specimen with a white tail (Sackett). Mr. Stacey has a similar 

 specimen shot at Dunmow. Mr. Scruby informs me of a beautiful white 

 specimen shot at Stondon Place several years ago. The same gentleman has a 

 " g^sy ^'^'^ white " specimen shot by Mr. Thurgood at Toothill on Feb. 27th, 1887. 

 Mr, J. F. T. Wiseman of The Chase, Paglesham, has two pied specimens, shot there 

 within the last year or two. Mr. R. Cross' shepherd shot a pure white specimen 

 at St. Osyth on June 2nd, 1873 (29. June 14). 



Rose-coloured Pastor : Pastor roseus. 



A rare and occasional visitant to Britain. I have only heard of 

 one or two specimens in Essex. 



Mr. E. J. Tuck records (23. 5319) 

 that " a very fine specimen, with a 

 good crest, and the beautiful rose- 

 colour on the back, &c., very pure," 

 was shot at Strethall about the 

 middle of September, 1856. In 

 August, 1887, one was killed at 

 Kelvedon by Mr. Frank Osborn of 

 that place. It was first seen early 

 fe, in the morning, and in the after- 

 '^'^ noon it was observed again feeding 

 in company with some Starlings on 

 mulberries, when it was shot. It 

 was preserved by Mr. Rose of Cog- 

 geshall for Mr. Osborn who still 

 has it (Spalding). Mr. Hope writes 

 " Col. Russell had one shot at Maldon by Gabriel Clarke. One was reported to 

 have been seen at Havering." Mr. Fitch informs me that on Sunday and Monday, 

 Dec. 29 and 30, 1889, a bird having a crest and in every way answering to the 

 description of this species, was observed to frequent the lawn of Mr. Belsham's 

 garden at Heybridge, in company with Starlings. As it was seen by several 

 different observers there seems no reason to doubt the correctness of the identifi. 

 cation. Mr. Fitch adds : " Some twenty years ago, a similar bird was shot in the 

 adjoining garden, then the late Mr. Stephen Cross's. My uncle, the late Mr. 

 Thos. Pannell, also shot one some twenty-five to thirty years ago, near Sturmer 

 Mere. It is now in the possession of another uncle of mine, Mr. A. G. Fitch, of 

 Wixoe Mill." 



ROSE-COLOURED PASTOR, 



(After Betvick.) 



Family CORVID^gE. 



Chough : Phyrrhocorax graailus. 



A scarce, very local, and fast-decreasing resident in Britain. It 

 is now chiefly confined to the high sea-cliffs on the west and south- 

 west coast of England. It breeds nowhere in this part of England, 

 so that any individuals which occur in our county can only be re- 



