40 The Zoologist — January, 1866. 



say, I was unable to examine, as the intestines had already advanced 

 into a state of decomposition. The breast-bone measured, to hori- 

 zontal plates, two inches in length, half an inch in width; depth of 

 keel If inch; clavicles 1 inch, and very stout; scapula 2 inches; 

 furculum 1^ inch, much arched and strong. 



Some little discrepancy has unfortunately crept into Mr. Wilson's 

 description of this bird, as quoted by Mr. Yarrell, who states, " This 

 bird frequently reaches three-quarters of a pound." My specimen, 

 though loaded with fat, in capital condition, and weighed when fresh, 

 only just brought down the beam at six ounces two drachms, and it 

 appears to me that had it obtained anything like Mr. Wilson's weight 

 it must have been a perfect monstrosity, consequently I am therefoi-e 

 disposed to regard this statement as an entire misprint. 



W. K. BULLMORE. 

 Falmouth, November 17, 1865. 



Solitary Snipe in Suffolk. — About the 5th of October, 1865, a 6i)e adult bird, a 

 female, of the solitary snipe was killed in the vicinity of Worliugtou Hall, near Beccles, 

 in Suffolk. It measured 11^ inches from lip of beak to tip of tail ;- 5^ inches in the 

 wing from carpal joint; bill 2^ inches. It was in good plumage, and exceedingly fat; 

 it weighed 7^ ounces in full : its gizzard contained only a little fibrous matter. — T. E. 

 Gunn ; Nonvich, October, 1865 



The Migration of Birds. — In a paper which I communicated to you some twelve 

 months since upon this subject (Zoo). 9364), I referred to an anomaly which presented 

 itself at this season of the year, as to the autumnal or equatorial migration, or what 

 perhaps will be better understood as the great movement from the north towards the 

 soulh, which lakes place at this season of the year, popularly exemplified by the well- 

 known and palatable migration of woodcocks and snipes from the northern countries to 

 Great Britain and the southern countries of Europe, and to the Mediterranean Isles and 

 the North of Africa. lu that notice I mentioned that at the Wolf Rock, about nine miles 

 from the Land's End, in a south-westerly direction, a flight of small birds, comprising 

 some of our delicate warblers, the common wren and several other species, came sud- 

 denly from the direction of Scilly, alighted on the rock, and, after resting, pursued their 

 flight toward the main land. On Monday last, when the Scilly packet was on her passage 

 from Scilly to Penzance, greenfinches, chaflSnches, &c., passed the vessel, going at 

 eii'ht knots an hour, and appeared to be in a rapid migtatory course facing a direct 

 east wind. Amongst these, but keeping separate from the main flight, were observed 

 some tree sparrows, a species of rare occurrence in Cornwall. I mention this little 

 incident to show that we are all at sea ourselves about the true niigraiorial law. We 

 should easilj ciuiprebend the anomaly if the birds of passage in their southerly course 

 were suddenly opposed by a strong southerly gale, but nothing of the sort was the 

 case ; the wind had been for days favourable for a southern movement, and at the time 

 mentioned the birds were flying ayainst a strong east breeze. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; 

 Penzance, November 10, 1865. 



