Letters, Extracts, Notices, S^c. 151 



shot out when within the proper distance of a fish. This, 

 by-the-bye, has been well illustrated in Mr. Frohawk's ex- 

 cellent plate, which accompanied my article on Cormorant- 

 fishing in '^The Field ^ of October 18, p. 571. As a further 

 proof that the wings are never used, I will refer to the 

 Fisheries Exhibition, where Richard Cosgrave, now in Lord 

 Lilford's service, exhibited my Cormorant, called " The 

 Subinspector.^' It was shown in a very large glass tank, 

 with a quantity of artificial rockwork, which often served 

 the fish as a safe retreat from their enemy. There could 

 be no mistake as to its non-use of the wings ; and this ex- 

 hibition was a daily one before hundreds of spectators. If 

 still more proof is required, an accident which befell one of 

 my Cormorants will, I think, be sufficient for all reasonable 

 people. Many years ago one of my birds broke one of its 

 wing so badly that it could not be set ; for, as in all diving- 

 birds, Cormorants^ bones are very hollow and contain air. 

 This being the case, I took the bird to a young surgeon, now 

 eminent in his profession, who kindly amputated the Avhole 

 wing. When the patient recovered, it dived perfectly and 

 caught fish quite well, which is surely a good proof that the 

 wings are not used in diving. 



I am, Sir, yours &c., 

 Nov. 6, 1890. F. H. Salvin. 



Sir, — I daresay it will interest you to learn that some time 

 ago (14th October) we received at the Zoological Gardens, 

 Amsterdam, a young specimen of Emheriza aureola. The bird 

 was caught at Harderwyk, prov. Gelderland, and is the first 

 specimen of its kind obtained in Holland. 



I am. Sir, yours &c., 

 S'g-raveJand, Hilversum, Holland, F. E. Blaauw. 



10th Dec, 1890. 



The Spotted-billed Pelican (Pelecanus manillensis). — 

 This Indian representative of P. rufescens I have never seen 

 alive. I should much like to get specimens of it for the 

 Zoological Society's Collection, where, so far as I know, it 



