168 Thk Zoologist — April, 1866. 



give much information about the measurements I offer the fol- 

 lowing, which I look from the present example, previously to 

 skinning : — 



Extent of wings when expanded .... 4 feet 1 inch. 



Length (base of bill to lip of tail) .... 1 fool 8-^ inches. 



Carpus to lip of wiug 1 „ 3^ „ 



LL'Ugih of tarsus ....... 3 „ 



I would here ask the question, Would it not be advisable that it 

 should be generally understood with the readers of the 'Zoologist' 

 that in measuring the length of any bird tlie hill be nut included ? — 

 i.e., measure from base of bill to tip of tail. 1 am under the im- 

 pression that such an understanding would in many cases save 

 trouble and confusion, and it appears to me that the bill ought not to 

 be included, as in some species — several of the waders especially — it 

 varies in length considerably in different specimens. 



Quail. — The quail is not by any means a common bird in this part 

 of Sussex at any time of the year, but appears occasionally to winter 

 with us. In the early part of February I was shown one that had been 

 recently killed in this neighbourhood, and in the month of November, 

 1863, one was shot at Selscy, where, I was told, a nest and eggs were 

 found the previous summer, but of this J cannot speak with cer- 

 tainty. 



Puffin. — A puffin was shot about the 7th in an arm of Chichester 

 Harbour, which runs up to Fishbourne ; it was an immature example, 

 the bill not having attained its full depth. It is rarely that this 

 species is met with in our harbours, they having no breeding station 

 nearer than the Isle of Wight. 



Wood Pigeon and Stock Dove. — Flocks of wood pigeons have 

 frequented our oak woods throughout the winter, and with them some 

 stock doves, which are here called "blue rocks;" they appear to feed 

 on acorns and perhaps beech-mast. In the winter of 1858-9 wood- 

 pigeons were very numerous, more so just about here than they have 

 ever been since. 



W. Jeffery, jun. 

 Kathani, Chichester, 



March 5, 1866. 



