1588 The Zoologist — March, 1869. 



a species having a wide geographical range and inhabiting opposite 

 climates afforded the same parasite, or whether closely-allied species 

 or varieties of a species exhibit any difference in the insects infesting 

 them. For instance, it would be important to compare the parasite of 

 the common jay with that of the blackheaded jay {Garrulus melano- 

 ceplialus) or the Himalayan bird; that of the jackdaw with the black 

 jackdaw {Corvus monedula-nigra) ; the coot of Europe with that of 

 Southern India, and scores of otlier instances where birds are identical, 

 varieties or closely-allietl species. In making these comparisons it 

 would be necessary, however, to examine every parasite that could be 

 found not only on one bird, but many of the same species ; otherwise 

 the result might be unsatisfactory and end in nothing. I have strong 

 hopes if this were done it might materially help to decide the claims 

 of many doubtful birds to rank as distinct species. 



John Cordeaux. 

 Great Cotes, Ulceby, LincolusLire, 

 February 1, 18U9. 



Hough Notes from the Channel Islands. 

 By John A. Harvie Buown, Esq. 



Jandaky 26. On Saturday last, whilst driving over towards Cobo 

 Bay, on the west side of the island of Guernsey, a fine large peregrine 

 falcon flew close overhead. As the peregrine is a rare bird in the 

 Channel Islands, 1 am inclined to believe that this bird must have 

 followed the flight of woodcocks which I spoke of in my last letter 

 (Zool. S. S. I5C0). To-day I went over to the island of Ilerm, accom- 

 panied by my mother. * * * During a stay of about a week 

 there, I managed to collect a good many species of shells, the proper 

 names of which, however, I do not yet know. One large shell, of an 

 ear-shape, is here called the " Ormer shell" {query, is " Ormer" a cor- 

 ruption of the French "Oreille"?), and is found at low-tide adhering 

 in considerable numbers to the under sides of the loose granite 

 boulders on the coast around Herm : the fish is excellent eating when 

 carefully cooked, and is of much the same flavour, firmness and con- 

 sistency — after being well hammered with a mallet — as a well-done 

 veal-cutlet. Another species of shell is only procurable at extremely 

 low tides, and in one lillle bay at the back of the island : I only ob- 

 tained a few specimens, as the day was cold, and upon cold days the 



