LOCAL OBSERVATION 31 



did so regularly, and am delighted to find that the good 

 dean takes such a warm interest in them. It is remarkable 

 that the red-throated diver at Northampton should have 

 been considered as worthy of record in the Times and 

 Standard, whilst the much rarer great northern diver 

 (killed in the same neighbourhood) and given to me in 

 November last, passed, so far as I know, without public 

 record of any sort." 1 



"December 26th, 1894. 



<c The only ornithological event of much interest that 

 has recently taken place in this neighbourhood, to my 

 knowledge, was the capture on our decoy, a few days ago, 

 of a most lovely hybrid (male) between mallard and teal. 

 I never before handled one of this cross." 



"March $rd, 1891. 



" White and pied stoats are exceptionally rare here, but 

 four out of some nine or ten of these little beasts, brought 

 to me during the last few weeks, have been more or less 

 white, one very nearly quite white ; all these varieties were 

 of the gentler sex." 3 



1 To the Rev. W. Willimott. 



2 To the same. 



3 To the same. 



NOTE. Mr. Willimott writes, July nth, 1896: "Lord Lilford corre- 

 sponded with me off and on for some thirty years. I first had the privilege 

 of meeting him when Robert Barr was falconer to the old hawking club, 

 when he was fairly well and strong, and could ride as well as most of the 

 party." Letter to Hon. Mrs. Dreivitt. 



