PONDS, PADDOCKS, AND AVIARIES 77 



I wish that you would publish it, or allow me to do so. 

 I have no acquaintance with this species, but have a fine 

 pair of his near relations (S. lapponicum'} here since 1888." 



"futy 4th, 1893. 



" All the woodpeckers mentioned in my last may be 

 kept in fairly good health for some months, especially if 

 taken when adult, but they generally go wrong in the moult. 



" There are many recorded occurrences of P. martins 

 in our islands, but not one has been satisfactorily 

 authenticated, and specimens are not infrequently to be 

 found in Leadenhall Market, sent over with consignments 

 of Scandinavian game, capercaillie, willow grouse, black- 

 game, hazel grouse, etc. 



" I am very sure that your grey owl adventure, with 

 date and locality, would be welcomed by the editor of 

 the Zoologist, if not by him of the Ibis. At all events, 

 if you do not care to send it yourself, I should be most 

 happy to do so on your authority." * 



"August 2Qth, 1893. 



" Snipes at this time of year live to a great extent 

 on gnats and other small flying insects, and the maggots that 

 they find in the dung of cattle and sheep. I have very 

 frequently found the fragments of shells of mollusca in 

 them at all times of the year. In my opinion a snipe is 

 hardly eatable before November. 



1 To the Editor. 



