The Zoologist — May, 1870. 2139 



Lesser Gray Shrike in Norfolk. — With reference to the Rev. M. A. Matliew's 

 stalemenl in the last number of the 'Zoologist' (S. S. 2060) that he received an 

 example of Lanius minor, recently obiained in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, I 

 may add that, from incjuiries mideon the spot, I feel justified in adding this species 

 to the Norfolk list, through the occurrence of Mr. Mathew's specimen. The bird in 

 question appears to have been shot in the spring of 1869 (ihe exact date 1 cannot now 

 ascertain), in a garden at tlie north end of the town, and was purchased and mounted 

 by Mr. Carter, a local birdslufifer, who subsequently sold it to Mr. Mathew. It is 

 quite evident, however, from the price asked for it, that its specific rarity was unknown 

 until its (lislinciive markings were recognized by its present owner. — H. Stevenson; 

 Norwich, March 23, 1870. 



Buff- coloured Redwing. — Bufi" varieties of the blackbird and thrush are not un- 

 common, but I think a buff redwing is rather a novelty. A bird of this kind was 

 lately killed near Plymouth, showing no trace of the usual markings, save the red 

 patch on the side, which is of a much paler shade, though still very conspicuous. — 

 John Galcumbe : Slonehouse, Plymouth, April 17, 1870. 



Golden Oriole at Scilly. — I have to communicate to you the appearance of the 

 golden oriole in large numbers at Trevethoe, about seven miles from Penzance 

 towards the north coast. Mr. H. Manners, jun., was good enough to bring for my 

 inspection, this morning, two adult specimens, a male and female, in the finest 

 possible plumage. He said he shot them out of a flock of eight last evening, and that 

 they were distributed over a plantation where a considerable quantity of high gorse 

 prevails, in large numbers; he says at least forty. This is a rather remarkable immi- 

 gration of this fine and rare British species. — E. H. Rodd ; April 22, 1870. 



PS. — As I fully expected, after the immigration of orioles in this district reported 

 to you yesterday, I received by the Scilly Packet to-day news of their appearance on 

 the islands. One was picked up dead, and four others seen in bright plumage at 

 "Trescoe" Island, another, apparently a female, on " Sampson.'' I observe thai the 

 female is of rather larger dimensions than the male. — Id. ; April 23, 1870. 



Black Redstart. — During the past winter I have met with six specimens of the 

 black redstart on our coast, five of which were in the plain gray plumage, but the 

 sixth was a magnifitent old male, with full black breast and pure while patch on the 

 wing. This last bird I mentioned having seen in a previous notice, but since 

 then it has fallen to my gun, and is now stuffed and in my possession. — John Gat- 

 combe. 



Correction of Errors. — In my note on Ruticilla tithys and R. Carii (S. S. 2100, 

 line 10), my meaning is quite altered by the omission of "and" before "that," •Sec: 

 it should read, " I iliiiik, contrary to Dr. Bree, and that it vvould make a very great 

 difference, R. Carii and R. tiibys breeding in distinct localities, particularly in the 

 same place and at different levels." Also, in my note on the ruddy sheldrake near 

 Tralee (S. S. 2105), read "bogs" and "bog" instead of "bays" and "bay" through- 

 out. — H. Blake-Knox. 



Wheatear on the blh of March. — I observed several specimens of the wheatear on 

 Durdham Down, near this place, on the 5ih of March. As this species dues not 

 usually make its appearance in this locality before the end of March or beginning of 

 April, you may consider its early arrival, especially in the ))resent rather backward 

 season, worthy of record. — Marcus S. C. Rickards ; Clifton, March 24, 1870. 



