4930 THE Zoo_octst—May, 1876. 
the Brown-street Museum at Liverpool—an adult male, a young male, and 
afemale. The adult male was black upon the breast, belly, crown and 
back, and white on the rest of the body: no blue, or green, or other colours, 
so far as I could see. The female was a good deal like a female velvet 
scoter, though rather lighter. It was an interesting series. In the article 
to which I have referred it is stated that no estimate has yet been made of 
the number of specimens existing in museums. I cannot here refrain from 
drawing attention to this admirable essay, which I much fear may remain 
unknown to “the many.” The part xii. is obtainable separately, and the 
price is only seven shillings and sixpence. The bird article takes up nearly 
half of it, and I am quite certain that few could read it without learning 
many facts which they did not know before. The only danger is that, being 
buried in a great ‘ Cyclopedia,’ it may not get the circulation it deserves to 
have, for it is natural enough that people should not order an article which 
they have never seen, and which, in all probability, may be written by some 
one having no pretentions to a knowledge of practical Ornithology, but when 
I say that in this case it bears the initials “ W. K. P.” and “ A. N.,” I give 
the best guarantee for its accuracy, its completeness, and its minuteness, 
and all who read it will join with me in hoping that Prof. Baynes, the 
Editor, will secure more from the same authors.—J. H. Gurney, jun. ; 
Northrepps Hall, Norwich. 
Hdible Qualities of the Shoveller Duck.—In my opinion the shoveller is 
the very best of all the edible ducks, I have had many opportunities of 
testing them, as we always get them in the winter. This winter they were 
tolerably plentiful, as was also the shieldrake.—Thomas Darragh. 
Female Smew near Curry Rivel.— At the shop of Mr. Greday, of 
Taunton, last week, I noticed a female specimen of the smew, which was 
shot a few weeks ago near Curry Rivel, not far from the place where 
Mr. Petherick shot the male on the 26th of January.—Frederic Stansell ; 
Alma Street, Taunton. 
Lesser Whitefronted Goose.—In the report of my lecture on the birds of 
Egypt (S. S. 4892), the following words occur in reference to the lesser 
whitefronted goose (Anser minutus), which I will thank readers to draw a 
pen through:—‘this bird having hitherto been regarded solely as a 
northern species.” Iam obliged to Professor Newton for pointing out to 
me privately that no such thing is the case. Indeed I knew that Major 
Irby got it in Oudh, which ought to have guarded me from saying it was a 
northern species; and Prof. Newton tells me besides that it is sometimes 
shot in Greece. All naturalists agree that its occurrence for the first time 
in Africa is very interesting.—J. H. Gurney, jun.; The Edinburgh Hotel, 
Edinburgh. 
Great Northern Diver off Erith ——A great northern diver was shot off 
Erith by one of the: men engaged in Easton Foundry on the 12th of 
February, 1876.—A. H. Smee; April 13, 1876. 
