VOL. XI.] NOTES. 167 
MOORHEN EATING FRUIT. 
On October 22nd, 1917, I observed a Moorhen (Gallinula c. 
chloropus) eating some crab apples which had been washed on 
to the bank of the Swift, in Warwickshire, from an overhang- 
ing tree. ‘This fruit was unusually plentitul this year. Most 
of the apples were eaten straight across the middle, and 
the pips were all taken out, while the remains were scattered 
about all round. H. J. VAUGHAN. 
[For previous notes on this subject see brit. Birds, Vol. X, 
pp. 251, 275 and 295.—LEps. | 
_ SPOONBILLS IN Dorset. — Lieut.-Colonel J. W. Evans 
states in the Field (Oct. 27, 1917) that on October 1dth, 1917, 
a Spoonbill (Platalea 1. leucorodia) was brought to him for 
sale, which had been shot that morning in Poole Harbour. 
On the same day four others, two old and two young birds, 
woe killed at the same place, the whole of the smail tlock 
being thus wantonly destroyed. We commend these facts 
to the notice of the Society tor the Protection of birds, in 
the hope that some action may be taken in the matter. 
_ Guossy Isis IN PEMBROKESHIRE.—In the Field (Nov. 3 
1917), Mr. W. H. Montagu Leeds, states that he picked up 
a Glossy Ibis, Plegaais J. falcvnellus, in a dying condition. 
about tour mules irom ‘Lenby, on October 23, 1917. ‘Lhis 
species has only once been recorded pieviously tiom Pem- 
brokeshire, as iar back as 1834. 
GREAT SkKUA IN OXFORDSHIRE.—Mr. W. J. Polley, of 
Buitord, Oxon, sent’ a specimen of the Great Skua (Sverco- 
rarvwus s. skua) to the omce ot Land and Water, which was 
said to have been picked up dead aiter a gale at the end of 
September, 1917. mr. O. VY. Aplin intorms us that the correct 
date on which this bird was tound was October 8th, 1y17. 
it was a young bird, in good condition, and ditters trom 
the ordinary type in beimg dark brown imstead of the usual 
chestnut brown. A simular variety trom Yarmouth, in Mr. 
Gurney’s coliection, is hgured in Dresser’s birds of Hurope, 
Vill, pl. 6UY. ‘Lhis is the first record of this species tor 
Oxiorushire, and the bird, now in the British Museum (cf. 
Land and Water, Nov. 1, 1917), was exhibited at the 
British Ornithologists’ Club Meeting on November 14th, 1917, 
by Mr. W. L. Sciater. 
