reel THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Mr. Bidgood, the Curator of the Museum, informed me that both examples 
were females. My own parish received a visit from these beautiful little 
swans. Mr. Esdaile told me that four were seen for several days on the 
lake in his park at Cothelstone, and that before the birds left him their 
numbers were increased to seven. One was either a wounded bird or had 
received a severe handling from one of the tame swans on the lake, for it 
fell a prey to a prowling fox, and was found half-eaten on the bank. The 
head, that of an adult, was presented to Mr. Cecil Smith. I am informed 
that one of the four birds obtained near Glastonbury was ouly slightly 
wounded, and is still alive. Placed with other birds it became tame at 
once; thus bearing out what has been frequently stated by writers 
concerning the domesticity of this species. A friend when snipe-shooting 
on the moors to the east of Taunton came across a small flock of Bewick’s 
Swans, and had an ineffectual shot into them. He was struck by their 
small size, and said that they seemed more like wild geese than swans. 
Some Brent Geese appeared on the same ground where the swans were 
noticed, and two were shot at a spot considerably inland for a bird which 
usually confines itself to the coast.— Murray A. Margew (Bishop’s 
Lydeard). 
Rare Visirors to THe Marvern Hirxis.—A pair of Ring Ouzels 
nested on these hills last summer, and remained here with their young all 
the winter. A pair of Woodcocks bred in the picturesque woods of Wastnor 
last spring, at which time the firs lining the southern slopes of the 
Herefordshire Beacon held a pair of Buzzards, which nested in them, but 
of course soon fell a prey to the gamekeeper’s gun. I am glad to believe 
that our Natural-History journals have aroused public opinion in favour of 
that beautiful bird, the Kingfisher. As far as my observation goes, it 
increases in this county. One has frequented an ornamental pond in the 
grounds of a lady in the very centre of the town, and although the premises 
are occupied by a large school for young. ladies, it sees no cause for alarm, 
but continues to feed on the small fish in the water referred to. I must 
not forget to mention the occurrence of the Great Northern Diver in the 
Severn, about fifteen miles from its mouth, on the estate of Sir Edmund 
Lechmere, and which was shot by his keeper. The bird is an adult male 
and in splendid plumage. The Eared Grebe has found its way up the 
canal into the very heart of Worcester, and has of course forfeited its life, 
and may now be seen at Mr. Edwards’ office. A Royston Crow kept 
company with a flock of Rooks on the hills for some weeks, but was at last 
killed.—Isaac Harprne (Malvern). 
[The fact of Ring Ouzels remaining here in winter is noteworthy, since 
the majority quit this country in October, not to reappear until the following 
April—Ep.] 
