The Zoologist — January, 1867. 555 



the breeding of this species in Scotland is recorded. Macgillivray states that Mr. 

 J. M. Brown found the nest and eggs in the woods of Abergeldie, in the county of 

 Aberdeen, and says that he is only aware of three instances of this species having 

 been killed in Scotland. Since then (1840) other two specimens have been obtained 

 iu this county. Iu September, 1864, Mr. Hyatt shot one in the pleasure-grounds at 

 Crimmondmogate, and in September, 1865, another was killed on Dee-side, and sent 

 to Mr. Mitchel for preservation. — W. Cruibe Angus. 



Rare Birds in Northamptonshire. — I have to record the capture of a Manx shear- 

 water, in the early part of last September. It was taken alive, uninjured, feeding (?) 

 with some chickens in the town. It drank water freely, but not being supplied with 

 proper food it died. A female lesser spotted woodpecker (Picus minor), and a male 

 great spotted woodpecker (Picus major), both rare in this neighbourhood, have been 

 shot within the last few days. Several gray phalaropes were also shot in September. 

 A male crossbill and a Bohemian waxwing have also occurred.— Henry P. Hensman ; 

 Northampton. 



Occurrence of the Merlin in Scilly. — A male merlin, having just completed his 

 moult, and presenting the beautiful plumage of the adult bird, with a light blue back, 

 was sent over from the Islands yesterday. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, 

 November 6, 1866. 



The two Great Gray British Shrikes. — My friend the Rev. John Jenkinson, of 

 Reading, who has been staying with me, gave his attention with myself to the subject 

 of the supposed two species of gray shrikes which have been regarded as British, and 

 during his stay we went closely into the investigation of the subject, and which resulted 

 at length in my requesting him to put on paper, for the use of the " Zoologist," the 

 following remarks, which have been perused by me, and which are in accordance with 

 my own views. I may add that I have mentioned the subject to Mr. Gould, who quite 

 appreciates the care that is due to the specific identity of the two birds as British. 

 Mr. Gould, however, seems to support the important point that the male of our Lanius 

 excubitor has hvo white spots on the wing, whilst the female has one only. You will 

 observe that Mr. Jenkinson calls especial attention to the female bird in my case, as 

 having a shorter, dreper, and a differently formed bill from the other which is in the 

 male plumage. — Id; December 13, 1866. 



Great Gray Shrike. — Notices have appeared occasionally in the 'Zoologist' of 

 another gray shrike differing from the common oue, and spokeu of as the "greater 

 northern shrike (Lanius borealis)." Apparently this bird is not much less common 

 thau the other, and therefore there ought to be sufficient examples of it to settle the 

 question of its distinctness, and to enalile it to be clearly identified. The following 

 descriptions of four birds will show the points of difference between the so-called L. 

 borealis and L. excubitor in its different states of plumage. Nos. I and 2 are iu 

 Mr. Rodd's colleciiou; No. 3 in ray own possession j No. 4 in the Truro Museum. 



No.l. Adult male of L. excubitor. Whole upper surface pure blue gray. Through 

 the eye and 'tear-coverts a black streak with a whitish edge above. Whole under 

 surface white. Distribution of white in wings and tail as fullows: — A bar across the 

 primaries and secondaries, forming two spots on the closed wing. Scapulars largely 

 tipped. Secondaries tipped. Four central tail-feathers black, the next on each side 

 tipped with white, which increases rapidly in an oblique line to the root of the outer 

 feather, which is all white. 



