3010 THE ZooLoGist—APRIL, 1872. 
steel tint on their backs being difficult to observe, except in certain 
lights. Heretofore I have always considered them rare in Northum- 
berland, having never seen more than one during many years of 
observation. 
Tufted Duck.—A fine male was shot in February on the river 
Aln, about one mile from the sea. This handsome little duck is 
now and then seen on the Northumbrian coast. 
Longtailed Duck.—An old male was shot in February, and a 
female in March. The latter are much oftener seen than the 
former. 
Goosander.—A male and female were taken in March. Females 
are not at all rare on our sea-bord, and inland on our rivers, while 
‘males, either in the mature or immature state, are very seldom 
observed. 
Bohemian Waxwing.—A specimen of this charming bird was 
killed on the 15th of November, near Acklington Station on the 
North Eastern Railway, by a boy with a catapult. The waxwing 
visits us occasiovally in small flocks. In 1868 they were more 
than ordinarily numerous, and many specimens were procured. 
Bittern.—A specimen was caught alive, but in an exhausted 
state, on the 22nd of November, near Felton; and another, a very 
magnificent male, was shot on the 4th of January, 1872, near 
Lucker, by Mr. Ackroyd, of Oakroyd Hall, near Leeds. On 
dissection I found in its stomach three trout, averaging in weight 
about three ounces each. Before the county was drained, and 
when bogs and marshes were in their pristine glory, the bittern 
was not unfrequently seen, but of late years it has been seldom 
observed. 
Quail.—On the 3rd of December a fine female was shot near to 
Alnwick. This bird can only be regarded as an accidental 
straggler in Northumberland. 
Gray Plover.—Small parties of the gray plover were very 
generally distributed along the coast in the early part of the year 
1871, and several specimens were procured. They seemed very 
unsocial in their habits, and never fraternized with the golden 
plover, which abounded on the coast at the time. At ebb-tide the 
latter would hasten on to the rocks as they were left dry by the 
receding waves, while the former seldom if ever did so, keeping 
more to the sandy beach and slakes. 
Richardson's Skua.—An immature male was shot in January, 
ow oo" 
