256 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
an ominous manner, having evidently scented his prey before him. After 
having settled to his own satisfaction the whereabouts of the Moorhens, 
the Stoat without hesitation entered the water, and began to swim across 
to the opposite bank ; but before he had half-way crossed the stream the 
old bird, which had been keenly watching her enemy’s tactics, flew directly 
at him, and as she passed over struck at him with her long sharp claws, and 
turned him completely head over heels in the water. At this unaccustomed 
treatment the Stoat fairly turned tail, and returned to the bank from 
whence he had started. But he was not to be vanquished in a moment, 
and the scent of his prey being too alluring he once more started on his 
voyage, when once again the Moorhen courageously dashed at him, 
and treated him in an exactly similar manner, repeating her attacks 
in this way until the Stoat, being half-drowned, thought that discretion 
was evidently the better part of valour, and gave up the pursuit; but his 
troubles were not then ended, as the farmer’s gun prevented him from ever 
repeating a similar attempt.— ArtHur P. Morrus (Britford Vicarage, 
Salisbury). 
PARTRIDGES COLOURED LIKE Rep Grovusr.— The Editor's remark, 
page 229, in connexion with this subject, was evoked partly by the 
omission, in a newspaper report which he had for reference, of the words 
“Not having seen Sir William’s account” before the words (in the said 
report) “ one is at a loss to know,” &c. If this clause be inserted in the 
page referred to (ninth line from bottom), before the words “and he 
was at a loss to know,” &c., it will, I think, somewhat modify the respon- 
sibility of my statement and apparent misquotation. I have taken the 
opportunity of amending it in the proof of the paper for the ‘ Proceedings 
of the Glasgow Natural History Society..—Joun A. Harvir-Brown 
(Dunipace House, Larbert, N. B.). 
Burr Variety or tar Sone Turusu.—A beautiful variety of the Song 
Thrush was shot in September last by Sir Henry Boynton, Bart., of Burton 
Agnes. It retains all the normal markings, but the colour is of a rusty buff 
or yellowish sandy hue throughout. I may perhaps mention that I have just 
such another one in my own collection, and always considered it a very rare 
variety. It is singular how many different birds change to this pale rufous 
colour. J have three Hedge-sparrows, one Redbreast (similar, though some- 
what paler), and a Sky Lark, all of this hue, and have seen others.— 
F’. Boyes (Beverley). 
Grecarious Hapirs or tHe Loncrarep Owx.—If one scrap of evi- 
dence may be added to the testimony of Messrs. Gurney, Boyes, and 
Corbin, I may observe that I met a gentleman lately who assured me that the 
Long-eared Owl is often met with in small “coveys,” but being rarer than 
the short-eared species it does not so often come under the observation of 
naturalists. He met with a small party of six individuals a little while 
