Letters, Extracts, Notices, ^c. 149 



tinctly express the fact and give more details. The question 

 now remains, AVhat is my Vancouver Island bird, if not, as 

 supposed by Mr. Brown, P. occidentalis ? I shall be very 

 glad, if it be wished, to send the specimen for inspection by 

 our brothers across the Atlantic. 



Yours truly, 



H. B. Tristram. 



29th Nov., 1887. 



3 Kensington Gardens Square, 

 London, W. 



Sirs, — I have pleasure in stating that an example of the 

 Isabelline Wheatear (Saxicola isabellina) was shot at Aigle 

 Gill, near Allonby, Cumberland, on the 11th of November, 

 1887. 



The bird was first observed on that day by Messrs, Thomas 

 and Richard Mann, tenants of Aigle Gill farm. The weather 

 was fine but dull, with a slight wind from the north. The 

 bird made its appearance in a field which Messrs. Mann were 

 sowing with corn, and was quite alone. It perched upon 

 clods of earth after the habit of S. ounantlie, but appeared to 

 be less lively in its movements than that species. It was 

 unsuspicious of danger and was easily approached. Having 

 had a visit from Mr. Senhouse and myself only six days 

 earlier, when I begged ray friends to continue to search for 

 doubtful Wheatcars, and struck by the light colour of this 

 late bird, Messrs. Mann decided to shoot it for me. It was 

 therefore shot by Mr. Thomas Mann, and posted to me the 

 same day. 



I received the bird the following day in fine condition, and 

 took it to Mr. Howard Saunders, who kindly pointed out to 

 me its identity with specimens of H. isabellina in his posses- 

 sion. The bird was also examined in the flesh by Mr. Sharpe, 

 but especially by Mr. Seebohm, who compared it in my 

 presence with his extensive series o£ Saxicolinse. Mr. Hart- 

 ing saw the specimen before skinning, so did Mr. G. E. 

 Lodge, who made a coloured sketch of it. The bird was 

 also exhibited on my behalf by Mr. Howard Saunders, at a 

 meeting of the Zoological Society of London on Dec. 6th. 



