Tur Zootocist—NovemBER, 1876. 5169 
was an old male common pochard shot in the spring, and an idea struck me— 
was it an abnormal change to summer plumage ?—F’. Boyes. 
[We have noticed this frequently in the case of the common pochard ; 
while the rust-colour on the head and neck of the wild swan has often 
attracted attention.— ED. | 
Summer Plumage of the Little Grebe.—I am quite of the opinion of 
Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. (Zool. S. 8. 5047), that Mr. Corbin’s bird is a little 
grebe, though not, as Mr. Gurney says, in summer, but in spring, plumage. 
I mention this because Mr. Gurney appears to be not very clear on the 
summer plumage of the bird, judging from his mention of the one in 
Mr. Bond's collection. He is quite correct in saying the little grebe is 
much darker in March and April than in the winter time, but I may add 
not nearly so dark as later in the summer, and here is where I think he has 
not expressed himself so clearly as he generally does. I have one which 
may be said to be perfectly black except the throat, which is a beautiful rich 
dark chestnut. I had another one like it, which I gave away a short time 
ago, and I always understood that this was really the full summer plumage 
of the little grebe.—F’. Boyes. 
Manx Shearwater (Pufinus anglorum, Temminck) on the North-East 
Coast.—These birds appear to have been more than usually numerous on 
the east coast during the autumn. There were several at sea off Flam- 
borough Headland on the morning of August 1st.—John Cordeaux. 
Swordfish in the River Parrett.— On the 25th of September a fine 
swordfish was taken at a place called Black Rock, near the mouth of the 
River Parrett, and brought for exhibition to Bridgwater, where I had the 
pleasure of examining it.—John Gatcombe. 
Loligo media.—An individual of this species was captured in Mill 
Bay on the 9th of August, being found at low water in a shallow pool, by 
Mr. Johnson, jun., of the Royal Hotel. When approached it did not dart 
away, but retreated by a reversed action of the fin-like membranes, of which 
it has one pair only. When inspected by me it was in a bucket of water, 
anda remarkable looking animal it appeared; but the most striking feature 
is its transparency, so that the action of the heart can be observed. It swims 
gracefully and buoyantly, propelled by the fin-like membranes, which are 
worked either backwards or forwards, according to circumstances, but when 
undisturbed it lies passive. On revisiting the shore the following morning 
I found that it had not outlived the night, though the water had been 
renewed; but it may have sustained injury in the capture. I have 
