The Zoologist— November, 18G7. 965 



I have secured also some specimens of a mollusk called by the 

 fishermen here the « bladder-fish," which I cannot yet identify: 

 1 shall probably trouble you again about this. 



I have also noted a large cuttle-fish which I think to be Octopus 

 Cuvien, but which I have not yet identified: it is the largest cuttle- 

 fish I have ever seen. 



The cliffs here abound in wild cabbage, which I have tried as a 

 vegetable and found rank, but very palatable when treated with 

 vinegar : the natives tell me it is much more tender and less bitter 

 in spring. 



p . „ ., , „ Thomas Cornish. 



.Prussia Cove, Mount's Bay, 

 September 9, 1867. 



The distinguishing Characters of some nearly-allied Species of 

 British Birds. By J. Edmdnd Harting, Esq., F.L.S. 



" Whatever theories we may hold as to the existence of species in 

 nature, and as to what constitutes them, in practice it must for the 

 present, we imagine, be left for naturalists to receive or reject them 

 according to their own private judgment. But at the same time, where 

 constant differences, however small, can be observed between parti- 

 cular groups of organic forms, we maintain that these constant 

 differences are worthy of observation, however variable be the value 

 assigned to them as specific characteristics. Accordingly we consider 

 that those who neglect to observe them are rather impeding than 

 advancing the progress of Natural History, and are not fulfilling the 

 duties winch belong to them as natural philosophers. This last be it 

 remembered, is really a matter of no small importance, since the 

 popular estimate of a science like natural history, whose results are 

 comparatively barren in utilitarian application, is always proportionate 

 to the opinion formed of its student's abilities."* 



Endorsing the opinions expressed in the foregoing extract, it will 

 be our aim in the following pages to point out the distinguishing 

 characters of some nearly allied species of birds, which from their 

 general resemblance are confounded or overlooked by the casual 

 observer. In doing so we shall confine our attention to those only 

 which are at present included in the British Avifauna. 



* ' The Ibis," January, 1802, p. .33. 



