Thr Zoologist— January, 1874. 3837 



birds are not uncommon. It is so seldom that the opportunity offers of 

 comparing two adults of the opposite sex in the flesh, that I make no 

 apology for giving full particulars. The male measured two feet six inches 

 in length, five feet four inches from tip to tip of wings, and weighed three 

 pounds ten ounces : its stomacli contained fragments of sea-weed, a little 

 gravel, and part of the milt of some kind of fish. The female measured 

 two feet three inches in length, four feet nine inches in expanse of wings, 

 • and weighed two pounds thirteen ounces : stomach perfectly empty. Both 

 birds were in excellent condition and fat; the female particularly so. 

 Yarrell's description of the glaucous gull in winter plumage exactly accords 

 with mine of these birds, unless I say, legs and feet very pale fiesh-colour ; 

 daws dark horn-colour. — F. Boyes; Beverley, December 18, 1873. 



Arctic Skua in Lincolnshire. — A bird of this species was shot at Grims- 

 thorpe Park, Lincolnshire, a few days ago, and sent to me for preservation. 

 Its length is fifteen inches. The centre tail-feathers are about four inches 

 longer than the others. The colour on back of head is dark brown ; back 

 and wings ashy brown, inclining to black on quills and tail ; under parts 

 white. It was observed by one of the under-keepers frightening the fowls 

 into their house, and afterwards it alighted at some meat belonging to a 

 dog ; here he left it while he went to acquaint the head keeper. On their 

 returning together it was gone, but was soon afterwards observed to be 

 coming straight over them, followed by about fifty crows, when it was 

 brought to the ground by a shot from the head keeper's gun. I have never 

 known one to be shot anywhere in this neighbourhood before. — Jolm Evans ; 

 Bourne, Lincolnshire. — 'Field,' November 8, 1873. 



Large Snaiie at Godalming. — A snake was brought me this morning 

 measuring four feet two inches in length. I have preserved it. The 

 greatest lengths I previously recollect having measured are two feet nine 

 inches and three feet three inches. — William Stafford; Godalming, Surrey, 

 September 10, 1873. 



A New Fish. — The genus Fierasfer of Cuvier, which, according to 

 Giinther, includes Echiodou, Diaphasia and Oxybeles, is distinguished from 

 others of the Ophidiidfe by the absence of ventrals, the presence of pectorals, 

 and having the vent at the throat. A fish evidently related very closely to 

 this genus, and answering in each particular to the foregoing characters, but 

 with the addition of a very prominent anal, having been kindly forwarded 

 to me lately by His Excellency Major-General Lefroy, C.B., F.R.S., 

 Governor of the Bermudas, I am led to believe, after careful examination of 

 the specimen, that in the prominent anal it possesses a feature which may 

 possibly require the establishment of a new genus for its reception, and 



SECOND SEUIES — VOL. IX. P 



