170 The Zoologist — April, 1866. 



remark on white swallows, confirmatory of my views, " II pourroit se 

 faire que cette blancheur ne tut que passagere, et qu'elle ne reparut 

 point, apres la mue ; car quoiqu'on voie assez souvent dans les couvees 

 de I'annee des individus blancs, il est rare qu'ou en voie I'annee 

 suivante parmi celles qui reviennent." 



Partridge. — During one of the late severe gales a covey of part- 

 ridges took refuge in the small back-yard of a house in the town, sur- 

 rounded by high walls, where they lay concealed among the leaves of 

 some vegetable-marrow plants till accidentally disturbed. 



Blackheaded Gull. — October 1 4th. Seen about Bembridge Harbour 

 with the herring gull. 



Kiiliwake. — Both old and young birds of this species seen at the 

 same time and place, feeding on the mud-banks at low water. 



Teal. — A small flock, numbering six or seven, was observed about 

 the beginning of the month in the neighbourhood of Bembridge. 



Curlew. — A few have appeared about the marshes of late, and I saw 

 one exposed for sale on the 18th. 



Cirl Buiifiiiff. — October '23rd. Three birds of this species seen this 

 morning in the garden, an immature male and two females I believe. 

 It is somewhat slighter than the yellowhamraer, and a neater and 

 more lively bird. The tail appears remarkably long ; the head rounded, 

 and the feathers on the crown somewhat raised, whereas in Macgil- 

 livray's figure it is flattened and elongated ; and the crescentic mark on 

 the fore neck is reversed. He probably was unacquainted with the 

 species, as the description of the female is borrowed from Montagu. 

 Though not a very numerous species, it is by no means uncommon. 



Redbacked Shrike. — In my February notes of 1865 the appearance 

 of this shrike — which is a rare bird with us — was recorded ; but I 

 omitted to state that 1 knew of one instance of its buildiug here, a nest 

 having been brought me containing four eggs. 



Sparrowliawk. — I have lately heard of one being stunned and cap- 

 tured by coming in contact with a glazed window, when in pursuit of 

 a sparrow flying in at the opening beneath. 



Gray Wagtail. — October 3lst. This elegant species is now occasion- 

 ally met with, and two were observed to-day about the Bonchurch 

 pond and brook, their usual haunt. One was running to and fro 

 over the water-lilies, and taking insects from off the floating leaves 

 with which the stream is dotted, and here and there bridged over, — so 

 quick and light the step that the smaller leaves only are perceptibly 

 depressed. In springing from leaf to leaf the wings are seldom raised, 



