The Zoologist — July, 1867. 823 



April 23. Saw cuckoo ? 

 „ 24. Heard whitethroat. 

 „ 26. Heard blackcap. 



„ 28. Heard whiuchat, sedge warbler and wood warbler; and saw sand 

 martins numerous on the River Calder. 

 May 4. Heard cuckoo. 

 „ 6. Heard lesser whitethroat. 

 „ 16. Heard corn crake. 

 „ 19. Saw flycatcher. 

 — George Roberts; Lofthouse, near Wakefield, May 20, 1867. 



White Varieties of Birds Eggs.— In addition to the list of blue and white varieties 

 of birds' eggs mentioned in the 'Zoologist' (S. S. 754), T have a nest of four white 

 greenfinch's eggs. The four eggs were out of one nest. 



Osprey in Norfolk.— A. magnificent adult female was killed on the 11th of May at 

 Brickling, near Aylsham ; it measured twenty-three inches and a half from beak to 

 tail, both included, and five feet seven inches across its fully extended wings to tip of 

 each. The ovary contained a large cluster of eggs, six or seven of which were nearly 

 as large as'common peas.— T. E. 'Gunn; 3, West Polteryate, Norwich. 



Rock Thrush, Hoopoe and Pied Flycatcher in the Isle of Wight.— On Tuesday, the 

 14lh of May, 1 was iu company with Mr. Brown, of Tongham, near Aldershot, and 

 Mr. Gould, on our downs at Freshwater, shooting herring gulls. When near New 

 Ditch Mr. Brown saw a bird which he stated to be the rock thrush, and from the de- 

 scription he gave I had no doubt upon the matter, though I felt anxious to see so rare 

 a species, to clear up any doubt with respect to it. My anxiety on this point was soon 

 set at rest, for, as we were standing looking at the splendid arch in Scratchell's Bay, 

 out came one of those beautiful birds from a niche in the rock, and although we could 

 see the colours distinctly there was not time to fire at it, as it disappeared over the 

 cliff: Mr. Bell, at the Needles, had seen the birds before, as also had a person of the 

 name of Larkham, and both gave a good description of them. Mr. Brown fired at one 

 after this, but missed it; there cannot be a doubt as to the species: there are 

 several persons trying for them, and I trust we may get one, so as to authenticate the 



species. I have obtained a fine pair of hoopoes and a pair of pied flycatchers. 



H. Rogers ; Freshwater, Isle of Wight, May 18, 1867. 



The Bonny wee Blue Bird. — The following ballad was written on the 12th of 

 November, 1866, by Mr. Charles Duncan Cameron, British Consul, in Magdala 

 Prison, Abyssinia: — 



" Hey! bonnie blue birdie, noo, whither awa', 

 Wi' a' yer gay plumage sae kempit an' a' ? 

 I'm gauu to my sweet luve wha ca's frae yon tree, — 

 Sae ye'll bide but a blink, I'll be back in a wee. 



But, tell me, fair stranger, or e'er I may gae, 

 What 'tis gars ye loe a' the little birds sae ? 

 Ye've bigg't wi' yer ain hands this fountain sae bricht, 

 An' feed us wi' sma' seed, frae morning till nicht. 



