7438 Birds. 



the County Cork, are now added. The question why this should he I leave to those 

 naturalists who have devoted their attention to the migration of birds. Were 

 these birds on their southward flight to inure genial climes? How is it lo be 

 accounted for that all were males ? We learn that the spoonbills' nests only 

 contain four eggs. Can the four alluded to have been all of the same nest, and 

 the three others sent to Mr. Glennon have been also from one nest, as they 

 appear to be nearly identical in plumage? Or do the sexes separate in the winter 

 time again to re-unite when the pairing season arrives? I learn that when these 

 birds were shot the weather was mild, but previously there had been north-easlerly 

 gales, and they might have been returning from their breeding-places in the north of 

 Europe. Some years ago I had three of these birds alive, which were at first kept in 

 a small enclosure, and subsequently enlarged on the ponds at Druracomlra Castle, 

 which were wired around. They throve very well, wading along the edges, feeding on 

 various substances, and, with the waterfowl, on a mixture of bran, potatoes and oats: 

 I do not recollect that anything else was supplied to them. After some time they 

 escaped, but how I cannot tell. One thing I particularly remember — that it was very 

 unpleasant to handle them, from the very disagreeable odour attached to them, and 

 that they were covered with parasites, which ran about on the hands if the birds were 

 laid hold oL~R. P. Williams. [Read before the Natural History Society of Dublin, 

 and courteously transmitted to the 'Zoologist' by the President thereof.] 



Occurrence of the Little Auk (Uria alle) near Guildford, Surrey.— In February of 

 last year (IHtiO) a youth of this town, who happened to be in one of the deep chalk pits 

 belonging to Sir Henry Austen, perceived a strange bird endeavouring to escape from 

 the pit. The bird, however, not having strength enough, kept falling to the ground, 

 and at last was captured by him. He did not then know the name of the bird, but 

 subsequeully ascertained it was the little auk. It would not eat anything that was 

 offered it, and died two days afier it was caught. The specimen, which was stuffed, 

 is now in the possession of Mr. J. E. Caprou, of this town.— William Bridger ; 

 Guildford. 



Engs of the Great ^u^.— The statement by Mr. Wilmut (Zool. 7386), in reference 

 to my list of the possessors of eggs of the great auk, characterizing it as being an 

 erroneous one, demands explanation on my part. The omission of Mr. Wilmot's name 

 was unintentional ; but I imagine that when information referring to any branch of 

 Natural History is sought for through the pages of the ' Zoologist,' a mutual benefit 

 is derived by every admirer of its pages. In the present instance I gave, to the best 

 of mv knowledge, a list of the known authentic possessors, which, although slightly 

 inaccurate, cannot be termed, as Mr. Wilmot designates it, an erroneous one. My 

 preliminary remarks were to this effect, that " Should a>«iy errors or omissions be 

 detected I should be glad to receive any communication on the subject," in order, as 

 the editor justly remarks, " that a correct list of the real possessors might be arrived 

 at." I think, therefore, there was not the slightest reason, on the part of Mr. Wilmot, 

 to have penned his note in the strain he has thought fit to do. I should have thought 

 that he would have omitted all mention of the unfortunate mistake made by Mr. 

 Hewitson in placing the egg the wrong way on the page, thus giving to the public an 

 intimation of an error of judgment which cannot but detract from the usefuluess and 

 value of the work in question. It is exceedingly gratifying to me to state that the 

 numerous letters from different parts of the Continent, elicited by my communication 

 to the ' Zoologist,' have added materially to my stock of information, and afford a 



