THE ZooLocist—Ju.y, 1876. 4999 
Australia is still sitting hard, and I hope some young gulls may come of 
it.—J. H. Gurney, jun. ; 127, Mount Street, W. 
The Farne Islands—As I happen to have visited the Fame Islands 
a few weeks before Mr. Smith, I am the more interested with his pleasing 
narrative of his doings, and with the view of eliciting some further informa- 
tion I beg to offer a criticism or two. First, I was not aware that these 
islands had ever been honoured with the presence of the great auk until 
I found the circumstance noted in Hancock’s ‘ Birds of Northumberland,’ 
for my copy of Wallis—in which the original statement about it is made— 
is an abridgment: this, however, would hardly be the latest recorded 
specimen. Secondly, I would inquire if any of the cormorant’s eggs on the 
Megstown were hatched. They had begun to lay on the 5th of April: if 
none were hatched on the 2nd of June, incubation lasts somewhat longer 
than has been previously suspected. In how many species of birds we are 
ignorant as to the period of the duration of incubation. Thirdly, inserted 
among the bird-breeders I find No. 12, shore lark, and No. 13, little ringed 
plover. Some further information on this head is desirable. The rock 
pipit, which I do not see mentioned in the list, appeared to me to be going 
to breed on the islands. Fourthly, I was assured that there were no rock 
doves on the islands, and as I do not recollect seeing them on any of my 
visits I concluded that the information of the boatmen was to be depended 
upon, until I read Mr. Smith’s observations, which seem to show that it 
occurs and even breeds there, though doubtless in very small numbers. 
I would ask if any example was scen so as to be quite certain that there 
was no mistake about the species. It is not at all improbable that that 
bird should be there, and it will be interesting to make the fact certain. 
I quite agree with Mr. Smith that the present keepers are wholly incom- 
petent to protect the islands, and that they are more poached than any other 
nursery I know of; but it is to be hoped that something better is in store 
for the most interesting spot (to an ornithologist) in the whole of England, 
and I believe the owner is ever willing to assist those who go to study 
the natural history of the feathered inhabitants of “Old Farne.”—Zd. ; 
Northrepps, Norwich. 
The Museum at York,—I think the plan of offering criticisms and 
suggestions on our provincial ornithological museums adopted by Miss 
Carey (Zool. 8. S. 4406) is a very good one: but I must stand up for the 
Strickland Collection at York, which was, in its day, considered the finest 
private one of native species. It is of historical yalue now; and if it be not 
altogether in the best condition that could be desired, the length of time 
which the specimens have been stuffed must be borne in mind. Very 
sorry was I to see that the redbreasted goose was suffering from an attack 
of Dermestes, and that the nearly unique great white heron was getting 
mouldy. I hope that remarks such as your correspondent’s will be the 
