2138 The Zoologist— May, 1870. 



many of them having to apply wet handkerchiefs to their guns, which 

 they rubbed to keep cool, being afraid they would blow the powder 

 off while Ihey were loading ; but it would be impossible to give yon 

 any idea of the shooting done for the next few hours, or of the wild 

 enthusiasm which was felt by nearly all the party. But, like every 

 other enjoyment and excitement, even that must come to an end ; and 

 shortly before five o'clock, knowing the distance we had to return 

 home, and the darkness of the night, with one accord we turned home- 

 ward. 



Change of Colour in Stoats this Winter. — The number of stoats which have this 

 winter assumed more or less ilie ermine clothing on ihe hill in this place is very 

 remaik.ible. My under gardener has seen several ihus changed, and the woodmen at 

 work there state that they have nol seen one wholly in iis brown garb. One which 

 was brought to me this morning is almost wholly while, and another, now in the hands 

 of the stuffer, has no trace of its summer C(dour. No person here has ever seen so 

 general a change in the species before. Our latitude is about 61". — Thomas Bell ; 

 The Wakes, Selborne, March 19, 1870.— ' Field.' 



Supposed Occurrence of the American Mottled Owl at Cohham, Kent.— I think I 

 can hear a groan of suspicion from experienced ornithologists when they read the bold 

 statement that I have seen this rare American owl in England. " Where is the 

 specimen ?" they say, " seeing is believing.'' Well, I have not got the specimen, but 

 I had a most clear view of the bird, and I will endeavour to describe it to the readers 

 of the ' Zoologist.' On the Ilth of April I was examining a large yew tree that stands 

 in a thick wood here, having an idea that there might be an owl of some sort there. 

 To my surprise I perceived, about six feet above uiy head, a beautiful little owl, which 

 struck me as being a nondescript. The general colour was reddish brown, beautifully 

 variegated ; on the wings were several large and conspicuous white spots (characters of 

 Strix Asio and no other English owl); the breast] was dotted with longitudinal 

 markings; the feathers of the face were much redder than those of the breast; and, 

 to crown all, it had two small stumpy tufts — I can hardly call them ears. After it 

 had surveyed me for a minute or two, with a ludicrous expression of dismay, it flew 

 rapidly off to some larches, where I found it again perched up airainst a tronk, and 

 had a still belter view. I forgot to say that in size it seemed a little larger than a 

 partridge. By careful examination of stuffed birds of known length, and especially 

 owls, I conclude that its length was about eleven inches. What else could this be 

 but Stris Asio? It was too big and too red for a Scops, too small and shorteared for a 

 longeared owl. Besides, neither of these species possesses the conspicuous white 

 markings on the wing. I submit the case confidently to the readers of the ' Zoologist.' 

 — Clifton 1 Cohham Hall, Gravesend, April 12, 1870. 



