The Zoologist — October, 1874. 4199 



batched, aud the chickeus reared, on my fatlier's farm of Kuyl Fonteyn, 

 Colesburg, Cape of Good Hope, last year. I believe this is the first instance 

 of ostriches hatching their own eggs in a domesticated state. He got four 

 hundred eggs in all last year, but failed entirely to hatch any by artificial 

 means. The old idea that ostriches' eggs will hatch in the sun is entirely 

 erroneous. The ostrich is as careful a mother as any domestic fowl, only 

 leaving its nest at noon when the sun has its fullest force, and is so jealous 

 of any intrusion that, as soon as it knows its nest is discovered, if possible 

 it destroys the eggs. I shall be happy to answer any questions, either as 

 to ostrich-farming to those seeking information, or to naturalists about their 

 habits, that may be addressed to me. — J. A. Murrai/ ; Wanderer's Club, 

 St. James's, September 10, 1874. — From the ' Field.' 



On the Distribuiiou of the Species of Cassowaries. — Until very recently 

 there was supposed to be only one species of Casuarius ; now at least seven 

 species are known, each with a distinct and very limited area, the genus 

 being entirely confined to Northern Australia, New Guinea, and the adjacent 

 isles. A full exploration of New Guinea would probably lead to the 

 discovery of a large number of most interesting new species. — P. L. Sclater, 

 at British Association. 



Little Bitteru near Eppiug. — A specimen of this rare bird was shot, on 

 the 15th instant, at Passingford Bridge, about five miles from Epping. It 

 was first observed by Miss Stevens, daughter of Mr. Stevens, miller, and a 

 few days after was shot by his man. It appears to be a young bird which 

 had just completed its first autumnal moult; it is probably a male, but in 

 consequence of injury by shot, the sex could not be ascertained. It is in 

 beautiful plumage. — Henry Doiibleday; Epinng, September 10, 1874. 



Bartailed (iodwit in A'ottiuglianisliire. — On September 8th a flock of 

 between thirty and forty bartailed godwits passed over the heads of a party 

 of gentlemen shooting near Farnsfield, and six were killed. They were in 

 beautiful plumage, aud very fat. They varied much in size ; the largest, 

 weighing ten ounces, was seventeen inches from tip of beak to end of tail ; 

 the smallest six ounces, and thirteen inches in length. The larger ones 

 were females, which in this species is always the case. The species has 

 occurred but rarely in Nottinghamshire. — J. Whitaker. 



^Vhlte Stork near Berwlek-on-Twced. — A white stork, in very indifferent 

 condition, was shot on the 10th of June at Scremerston, three miles from 

 Berwick-on-Tweed ; its dimensions are given in the ' Field ' of July 4th. 



Black Gannet. — I have just seen flying past a bird which is new to me, 

 aud I shall be glad to know whether you have heard of any round our coasts 

 before, — a black gannet, not brown (t. e. not in the ordinary plumage of a 

 young bird), but jet-black on the back, wings and sides, white neck and 

 head, and white belly and breast — evidently not a young bird by its strong 

 even flight and well-defined colour. Cruising last year in the early part of 



