7544 Birds. 



last even the kind attentions of her keeper ceased to rouse her failing powers, and 

 death released her from her long captivilj. This vulture was the oldest inhabitant of 

 the gardens, and the last survivor of the original zoological collection. Griffons are 

 now well known to most persons, and many fine specimens have lived and died in the 

 menagerie since this one first appeared on the scene, but " Dr. Brooks" has doubtless 

 been usefol in her generation, and deserves a passing notice now at the close of her 

 career.— £. W. H. Holdsworlh, in the ' Field,' May 1 1, 1861. 



Occurrence of the Kite near Barnstaple. — I have to record the capture of a fine adult 

 specimen of the kite, in a trap, at Kentisbury, a few miles from here, a few days since. 

 The kite has been for many years unknown in this county. During his long experience 

 of the Ornithology of Devonshire, Colonel Montagu never met with a specimen ; the 

 occurrence, therefore, of so rare a visitor in this neighbourhood is a matter of some 

 interest. — Mxirray A. Mathew ; Raleiyh, near Barnstaple, May 5, 1861. 



Eggs of the Dipper and Missel Thruih. — In your article upon Birds' Eggs (Zool. 

 7398), you put down the eggs of the dipper as 5 ; as for as my experience goes I have 

 oftener found the eggs to be four than five, and in one instance found a nest containing 

 only three young ones. I have also known the missel thrush in several instances to sit 

 upon three eggs only. — John P. Thomasson ; Bolton, March 21, 1861. 



Nest of the Longtailed Titmouse. — In your " Observations on the Nests and Eggs 

 of British Birds, " mention is made of the longtailed titmouse. I merely beg to say 

 that J have known of dozens of their nests, but never found one with two holes ; many 

 years ago, however, I look a nest late one evening, and three old birds were in the nest 

 on the eggs, two females and one male ; a similar case I never heard of. A friend of 

 mine, Mr. Thomas Thompson, of VVinlaton, once took a nest with both the old birds 

 on the eggs. Two years ago Mr. Thompson also took a nest in Gibside Wood, near 

 this place, which had two distinct holes, and it is now in his possession. This is the 

 only one I have ever seen. I believe Mr. Hewitson in his book speaks of having once 

 seen one with two holes. No swallows have been seen in this neighbourhood this season. 

 Kedstarts, willow wrens, wood wrens, grasshopper warblers, cliiffchitffs and tree pipits 

 have arrived. — Thomas Robson ; Swallwell Iron Works, near Galeshead-on-Tyne, April 

 23, 1861. 



Variety of the Common Partndge. — In the thirty-fourth volume of the ' Naturalist's 

 Library,' Sir W. Jardine states, under the common partridge, that he had procured a 

 specimen from Mr. Fentou, in Edinburgh, which he thus describes. "Above of a brown 

 tint, deeper than usual, but with the ordinary markings ; the ground colour of the breast 

 and under parts is of the uniform gray, which covers the breast in the ordinary state of 

 the bird, having the black wavy markings, but there is not the slightest trace of broader 

 marking to the feather.s, or of the horse-shoe which prevails in other states, and to a 

 certain extent, even in the female ; the head, neck and patch on the throat are umber- 

 brown, and around the bill, mouth and eyes is nearly pure black ; the bill itself is of 

 a darker colour than usual." No other writer seems to have noticed this singular 

 variety, and I now draw attention to it, as similar birds have been killed in this county 

 during the last three seasons. In December, 1860, two beautiful specimens were brought 

 to me by one of the " unlicensed " sportsmen of the parish. He said that there were 

 several more in the neighbourhood, and that he could easily distinguish them when on 

 the wing from birds in the ordinary plumage. One had been shot a few weeks before, 

 and fortunately preserved. In the previous season another " unlicensed '' had come 

 upon a covey feeding, and could not at first make them out, but he soon settled his 



