THE ZooLoGist—J ANUARY, 1875. 4251 
and as having a decided bearing on the question under con- 
sideration: he says that his brother’s journals fail to show the 
smallest evidence of his ever having observed a specimen that 
could not at once be referred to its type. The differences are 
always decidedly marked, the ring and bridle being unmistakably 
manifest or absent altogether. This again is very decidedly the 
case in the two crows; there is no race of half-breeds. 
On one occasion Dr. Saxby tells us that he saw the black 
guillemot flying under water, which, from my frequent watching of 
aquatic birds at the Zoo, I believe to be no uncommon occurrence, 
although so seldom noted. “The only opportunity I ever enjoyed 
of seeing black guillemots travelling under water at what may be 
supposed their full speed, occurred one afternoon in February. 
I was standing upon a rock near the foot of a low cliff, upon the 
other side of which repeated firing could be heard, when systies, 
conspicuous in their gray winter plumage, came sweeping round 
the point, literally flying under water, seemingly intending to take 
refuge in the little bay ; but having observed au unavoidable move- 
ment on my part, with one accord they rose and flew rapidly 
away.” In connection with the subject of subaqueous flight, I may 
quote Dr. Saxby’s remark that he observed the wings of the little 
auk were “ partly opened at the instant of making the plunge.” 
An account of a visit to Hermaness, although rather long, is too 
good to be omitted, bringing us face to face with the puffin, just as 
we see the rabbits represented in Mr. Yarrell’s vignette. This bird 
is the most regular of all our migrants, arriving on the Ist of April 
and departing on the 23rd of August. These are the dates given by 
Thomas Edmondston as regards Shetland, and Dr. Saxby pro- 
nounces them correct: nevertheless there is no doubt some slight 
diversity in date at different points of our coast; were it not so 
it would be the most marvellous instance of regularity that the 
migrations of the Animal World has yet revealed to us. I cannot 
forget, moreover, how many examples of puffins I have received in 
winter, differing, it is true, in plumage and in beak, but manifest 
puffins nevertheless, although receiving the distinctive name of 
“winter puffin,” and although giving rise to many speculations as 
to the identity of the species. The very excusable ambition to 
give this winter puffin a new name, and thus add another synonym, 
—it is all that species-makers can accomplish,—receives no sup- 
port from Dr. Saxby’s researches, and must remain for the present 
