The Zoologist — June, i866*. 263 



Terns. — A very beautiful specimen of the arctic tern, the under 

 parts deeply suffused with the usual smoke-gray lint, was killed on the 

 14th of April, and several black terns were shot on Breydou about the 

 same time. 



Velvet Scoter. — A female for sale in our fish-market on the 7th of 

 April. 



Puffin.— Xn immature bird, with a particularly small and ungrooved 

 beak, was killed at BJakeney about the first week in April. 



Eared Grebe. — An example of this rare species was killed at 

 Breydon on the 10th of April (the same as recorded in the 'Field' of 

 April 21st). The yellow plumelets on the sides of the head were 

 tolerably pure, but the throat and chin were still much mottled with 

 white, but the bird would have attained its full plumage, probably, in 

 another week or two. 



Great Crested Grebe. — No less than eight magnificent great crested 

 grebes, just returned to the Broads from the sea-coast, were, I am 

 sorry to say, brought to a birdstuffer in this city for ladies' plumes, and 

 sold for a shilling each. When will the votaries of fashion listen to 

 reason, and not exterminate a species for the mere whim of the 

 moment ? Kingfishers and even the beautiful little grass parrokeets 

 have been in great demand this winter — for hats ! 



Brmnbling.— These birds have been extremely scarce this last 

 winter, though so remarkably plentiful the year before. The great 

 abundance of beech-mast in 1864 was, I believe, a great attraction, 

 which has been almost equally wanting in the past autumn. A male 

 brambling in my aviary, which I have had over three years, has com- 

 menced (April 24th) its usual migratory call-note,— a shrill whistle or 

 chirp, which is uttered every night at intervals from about 8 p.m. till near 

 daylight, the bird becoming extremely wakeful, and with raised crest 

 and fluttering wings indicating its excited condition. The least noise 

 or a passing light near the cage sets him off at once, and on moonlight 

 nights he calls incessantly; and this, as I have remarked durhig 

 several seasons and with different individuals, goes on till the beginning 

 of June, when it ceases altogether. 



Rook.— A curious variety, killed at Ranworth about the beginning of 

 May, having the back, wings and tail silvery gray, and the head and 

 under surface of the plumage dull grayish black. Young rooks not yet 

 out of the nests (May 8lh), except a few very early ones, which are 

 able to take care of themselves. 



Turtle Dove.- On the 6th of May I found a flock of at least two 



