4422 THE ZOOLoGIsT—APRIL, 1875. 
(Platalea leucorodia), terns of various species, and the storm petrel were 
in turn met with and captured. These are samples, which occur to my 
recollection at this moment; but there were many other ornithological 
prizes, both of land and water birds, obtained from time to time in this 
gifted spot, chiefly, however, amongst the waders and swimmers; in short, 
I may truly say that few localities in England could boast of being so well 
supplied with visitants, either regular or occasional, from the numerous 
branches of the highly respected families of Struthionide, Charadriide, 
Ardeide, Scolopacidee, Rallide, Anatide, Colymbide, Alcade and Larida. 
With regard to the latter part of Mr. Gunn’s communication, I may take 
the opportunity of giving my experience, as having skinned both the 
great and little bustard. I never saw the slightest shade of rose-colour 
in the base of the feathers of either species, though I certainly think 
I should have noticed it had any such tint been observable. The flesh of 
the little bustard I consider to be very like that of the pheasant,—under 
which name, indeed, I have on more than one occasion bought it, for 
tenpence, in the market at Lisbon,—and is far more delicate and palateable 
than that of its larger congener.—Al/red Charles Smith ; Yatesbury Rectory, 
Calne, February 19, 1875. 
Blackthroated Diver in Norfolk.—I received, on the 22nd of December, 
a female specimen of the blackthroated diver that had just been killed on 
Horsey Mere, near Great Yarmouth. The plumage appeared in a state of 
change, showing all the white square spots on its back and upper wing- 
coverts; it also showed several patches of black feathers on its throat and 
neck.—T. E. Gunn. 
Albino and other Variations of Plumage in Birds\—As Mr. Forbes has 
drawn the attention of the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ to this subject 
(S. 8. 4378), perhaps you will allow me to state what has come under my 
notice in reference to it. I have not many specimens of these accidental 
varieties, as I do not care very much about them myself; but as there may 
be some points interesting to Mr. Forbes and others who pay attention to 
them, I will give a short description of the few I have. All the varieties 
I possess show a tendency to albinism, and this appears to me much more 
general amongst birds than the opposite tendency to melanism; for, except 
now and then in a bullfinch which has eaten too much hemp-seed, this 
tendency seems by no means common. The so-called Sabine’s snipe is, 
I know, by some considered only a melanism, but of this I am very sceptical. 
On the other hand, albino, partly albino, and pale varieties of nearly all our 
British birds may without much difficulty be found. This tendency to 
albinism seems to me more common in young than in old birds, although no 
doubt in some cases it lasts for years, and in others seems partly seasonal. 
This may have been the case with the first of the varieties I shall mention— 
a blackbird, male, throat and ear-coverts nearly white; rest of plumage 
OE 
