2628 The Zoologist— June, 1871. 



My bird-hunting experience among the dealers in the different 

 markets would furnish no end of ornithological anecdotes ; but 

 I must be content with relating a kw. On one occasion, asking 

 the price of a hooded crow, the man, eyeing me rather suspiciously, 

 answered " That crow, sir ? I suppose you wants it for stuflSng, 

 but I can tell you it will make a capital grill ! I never eat one 

 myself, but I know a chap wot has." Another time I met with two 

 men outside the market, one on either side of the street, each 

 carrying a large bunch of o^'slercatchers and dunlins in his hand 

 and a basket containing more on his arm. One of them seeing me 

 cast a glance at the oystercatchers, immediately held them up, 

 with "D'ye want any woodcocks, sir?" Just for a joke, knowing 

 they had none, I answered, "Yes, but where are they V "'Ere, 

 sir, are the woodcocks," holding up a string of oystercatchers. 

 " Now," said I, " you really do not take me for such an ass as to 

 buy those birds for woodcocks ? " " Well, sir, they are Norfolk 

 woodcocks." Whereupon the other man, hearing the little alter- 

 cation, immediately came over, and, giving his "pal" a nudge, 

 whispered, rather loudly, " Come along, Bill, yer fool, — he knows." 

 Passing off dunlins for jack snipe is an every-day occurrence, but 

 "trying on" oystercatchers for woodcocks was, 1 think, coming it 

 a leelle too strong. 



Inquiring the price of a marsh harrier one day in the market, 

 the man answered, "Three half-crowns, sir; capital bird for 

 stuffing." I laughed at the price and went away. On seeing the 

 bird there the next day, I again asked the price, and was told a 

 half-sovereign. "Oh!" exclaimed I, "that is worse than yester- 

 day." "Yesterday — and what wos it yesterday?" I replied, 

 "Three half-crowns." "Well," said he, "we always rises our 

 price every day, and if you comes to-morrow we shall ask a 

 sovereign." 



The British species of wild birds I have met with in the Con- 

 tinental markets, and not in the English, are as follows : — White- 

 tailed eagle, goshawk, kite, little owl, alpine accentor, crested lark, 

 ortolan bunting, crossbill, hawfinch, siskin, nutcracker, little spotted 

 woodpecker, creeper, wren, hoopoe, nuthatch, little bustard and 

 little ringed plover. 



John Gatcombe. 



Lower Durnford Street, Stoneliouse, Plymouth, 

 March 8, 1871. 



