The Zoologist — June, 1870. 2155 



persevered in, would land them on the Naze in less than twelve hours. 

 A solitary representative of the family remained in company vfiih a 

 carrion crow in the marshes nearly to the end of the month. 



Fieldfare. — April 13. Observed some very large flocks in a planta- 

 tion on our north wolds, but have not seen any after this date. 



Dunlin. — April 19. There was a large flight of dunlins in summer 

 plumage on some fallow land in the marsh, where they daily resort at 

 high water. On bringing my telescope to bear upon them I find, with 

 one or two exceptions, every bird asleep, their bills tucked away 

 beneath the scapulars. 



Yellow Wagtail. — April 20. First seen. 



Redstart, S^c. — April 21st. Wind south, very warm and fine. First 

 appearance of redstart, sand martin, whitethroat and sedge warbler. 



Buzzard. — April 23. Saw a solitary buzzard soaring above the 

 "New-close woods," the highest portion of our north wolds. 



Cuckoo. — April 29. The severe weather and cutting north winds of 

 the last week have probably retarded the arrival of the cuckoos. On 

 the night of the 28th, after a shower, the wind changed to S.W., and 

 as early as 4.30 on the morning of the 29th, the cuckoos were calling 

 all round us. 



John Cordeaux. 



Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnsliire, 

 May 2, 1870, 



Extracts from a Memoir intituled 'A Monograph of the Ale idee.'' 

 By Elliott Coues, A.M., M.D. 



(Continued from Zool. S. S. 3132). 



Genus Simorhynchus, Merrem. 



Of moderate and very small size ; general form stout. Usually with 

 a crest, or with elongated feathers about the head. Bill variable : 

 sometimes simple, often irregular in form, with various elevations and 

 depressions, often with nodules or other accessory elements; always 

 stout, compressed, shorter than the head, the culmen very convex, the 

 tip acute. Nostrils entirely unfeathered. Wings and tail of the ordi- 

 nary shape and length. Feet small and short; tarsus compressed, 

 entirely reticulate, shorter than the middle toe. Toes long, outer and 

 middle about equal in length, the claw of the latter largest. Claw of 



