2182 The Zoologist— June, 1870. 



and the lark, and these are so various that the attention of the veriest tyro cannot fail 

 to be arrested and his interest excited in the discussions relative to this bird. — 

 C Home; Upper Norwood, Maij 18, 1870. 



Migration of Swallows. — It may interest Mr. Smee to know that the sand martin 

 is generally the first of its family to arrive here — say the first week of April ; the 

 swallow next, often as early as the 8th — 12th; house martin about the first week of 

 May; swift early in May. — H. Blake- Knox ; Dalkey, County Dublin. 



Blacktailed Godtvit in Summer Plumage at Scilly. — I have received a specimen of 

 this godwit from Scilly to-day. There is nothing at all remarkable in its plumage for 

 brightness of colour on the throat, breast and belly, like its common congener the bar- 

 tailed godwit, which I have always observed carries a fine unsullied bay-colour on its 

 under parts at this season of the year; but in the blacktailed godwit there is nothing 

 beyond a dull dirty reddish brown, which is confined to the breast only. — Edward 

 Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, April 30, 1870. 



American Wigeon and Garganey on the Taw. — I hear from Barnstaple of the 

 occurrence of the American wigeon on the Taw. A specimen of this species, 

 supposed to be a young mallard, was shot about the aOlh of April. Another garganey 

 had been also brought in, which had been shot on the river about the same date. — 

 Murray A. Malhew ; The Vicarage, Bishop's Lydcard, May .3, 1870. 



Sclavonian Grebe in County Dublin. — I see so many notices of grebes in the May 

 number of the 'Zoologist' that I must add my quota to the number. First: early in 

 September I saw a grebe in breeding plumage in the " Smelting-house Pond," Bally- 

 coris: this bird was one of the intermediate grebes larger than the little, smaller than 

 the great crested, the wings had a conspicuous white patch (eared ?). Little grebes 

 are to be seen in this pond. The eared grebe has been seen in this county in summer. 

 In December I procured a fine specimen of the Sclavonian in "dusky grebe" 

 plumage. In March a second Sclavonian in same plumage, but with the rufous 

 head-feathers appearing. I have both these grebes.— i/. Blake- Knox ; Dalkey, 

 May 1, 1870. 



Garganeys, Src, near Sheerness. — A friend of mine shot a fine pair of garganeys, 

 about the middle of March last, near here ; aud also about the same time a 

 magnificent pair of hooded mergansers, the male of the latter species being in 

 splendid plumage. During the cold weather in February I saw a flock of some sixty 

 snow buntings close lo the town, and another friend of mine shot several specimens of 

 the purple sandpiper, two of which he kindly presented to me. — Gervase F. Malhew ; 

 Royal Naval Barracks, Sheerness, May 12, 1870. 



The Great Auk from Funk Island. — I have only just received the March number 

 of the 'Zoologist,' in which appear Professor Newton's remarks upon my com- 

 munication respecting the foot-note at page 1855 of the issue for October, 1869. 

 I have no desire to continue the controversy any further, as my only motive for 

 troubling you, was to disprove that statement, which it must be acknowledged tended 

 lo exhibit me as the recipient of what really should have been another's, a position 

 which even the sagacity granted me by Professor Newton fails to discover an agreeable 

 one. May I be allowed to repeat that, according to all the evidence I am in possession 

 of, that statement was incorrect, and therefore I trust that gentleman, whose familiar 

 name I hold in the highest esteem, will perceive that my note, although apparently 

 unceremonious iu tone, was not intended to reflect upon him so much as the author 

 of the paper, who I think, on consideration, must acknowledge that his foot-note, 



