9446 Birds. 



that they are arranged on either side of the organ in a series of con- 

 centric half-circles, which, meeting a second series of similar half- 

 circles, complete the ring around the central tendon. This arrange- 

 ment is the same on both sides or halves of the organ, which are 

 symmetrical. The ridges themselves are hardened, but not to the 

 same extent as in other members of the order (Gallinae), and are evi- 

 dently designed for a similar purpose, viz., that of crushing and 

 mixing together the contents of the stomach. The whole structure, 

 so peculiarly modified in its parts, would suggest a varied dietary of 

 vegetable and animal substances, but indicating a preference for these 

 in their softest and most readily assimilable forms. As I have already 

 stated, the organ had been carefully emptied of its contents and well 

 washed previously to my receiving it. A note from Mr. Jones has, 

 however, just arrived, in which he tells me that "the stomach was 

 filled to distention with very fine green grass, but not a particle of 

 grit." This was altogether a voluntary statement on the part of Mr. 

 Jones, as I had not asked him for the information. He also states 

 that the sex of the bird was female, and that he believes her to have 

 been fully mature. On this point 1 beg still to differ with him, for 

 the reasons already assigned. I have been to-day to Scorbro, the 

 seat of Mr. James Hall, and took that opportunity of inspecting two 

 specimens of the great bustard in his collection, which had been cap- 

 tured in this East Riding : one, a female, was evidently a bird of the 

 year ; it was taken alive in the neighbourhood of Scorbro, about forty 

 years ago, and Mr. Hall had it tethered upon his lawn : the other, an 

 old male, Mr. Hall forgets the history of; he thinks that it was taken 

 not far from Doncasler, but certainly in Yorkshire. In former times, 

 when our Yorkshire wolds were a wild undulating sheep-walk, this 

 noble bird was not uncommon, and reared its young on those plains 

 which the discoveries of modern chemistry and agriculture have trans- 

 formed into a perfect garden, capable of the very highest results 

 of cultivation. 



Shoveller. — On November 12th, 1864, a female of this peculiar 

 duck was shot on the River Hull, near the hamlet of Wilfholme, 

 about nine miles above Beverley, by Thomas Verity, of this town. 

 The shoveller has become a rare bird in this neighbourhood. I have 

 only seen two specimens in the flesh, both of which are in my own 

 collection ; one is a mature male, the other a female of the year. 



Hoopoe. — At page 9361 I recorded the capture of two hoopoes near 

 Flamborough. In that communication I stated that I had been 

 informed of the second capture, on good authority. I have since 



