1058 The Zoologist— January, 1868. 



of the common buzzard, which, being seen so near by the gamekeeper, accounts for its 

 appearing so large, as it is somewhat similar to the roughlegged buzzard in the 

 plumage of the under parts, the ground colour being of a yellowish white ; if they 

 again appear, the belt, the distinguishing mark, should be looked for: if one is dark 

 beneath, and the other light, they must, if a pair, be the common buzzard ; but should 

 they appear of large size, and both birds whitish beneath, they may be set down as 

 the roughlegged species, but then the belt should, with a good glass, be readily made 

 out at some hundred yards off. As to its food, 1 am inclined to think with Wilson, 

 that, if it preys on ducks, they must be " lame ones," though Mr. Selby has stated that 

 those observed by him " pounced on wild ducks,'' possibly immature or wounded birds. 

 Those observed in Canada were hawking mice, after the manner of the kestrel ; and the 

 one shot had some mice in the oesophagus and the remains of others in the stomach. 

 If usually preying on wild ducks, and other birds, is it not strange that it should have 

 escaped the notice of observers like Wilson and Audubon? — Henry Hadjield; 

 Venlnor, Isle of Wight, November, 1 1, 1867, 



Snowy Owl off the Scotch Coast. — A remarkably fine snowy owl was captured alive 

 last Wednesday, on board a small Danish vessel about fifteen miles out at sea from 

 Montrose: it was brought alive, in a seaman's chest, to Mr. Small, birdstuffer, of 

 George Street, Edinburgh, on Saturday evening. Unfortunately I did not see it alive, 

 as Mr. Small, being afraid of it damaging its plumage, killed it. It was very savage, 

 snapping its bill, hissing like a cat, and throwing itself against the sides of its prison. 

 I purchased it of him on Monday. It weighed 4^ fbs. — John A. Harvie Broivn ; 

 130, George Street, Edinburgh, December 17, 1867. 



Variety of the House Sparrow in Berkshire. — On the 21st of November a house 

 sparrow was brought to Mr. Fisher, one of the Eton birdsturTers, with a purely white 

 head; it had, however, no other white feathers about it. This bird was shot near 

 Windsor, but I do not know the exact spot. It is being preserved for a clergyman. — 

 A. Clark-Kennedy; Eton, Bucks, November 25, 1867. 



Swallows in November. — One of the park-keepers at Windsor told me, a few days 

 since, that he had seen some swallows and martins flying round the Albert Bridge, near 

 Windsor, during the early pait of November: I never knew them to remain in this 

 neighbourhood so late. — Id. 



Curious Variety of the House Martin. — In a birdstuffer's shop at Newton Abbot, 

 on the 12th of November, I saw a very curious xariety of the house martin, if it was 

 genuine and not dyed: the rump and tail-coverts were a bright magenta, and the 

 back wing-coverts and some of the quills, especially those nearest the body, were shot 

 or glossed with the same colour, instead of the usual blue; the throat, breast and 

 under parts were also slightly tinged with the same colour. The man declared that it 

 was not dyed, but that it was as it had been brought to him, and that it had been 

 knocked down by a little girl with a stone on the bridge over the Teign near Newton, 

 some time in this summer, and that she had brought it to him immediately after, and 

 he had stuffed it. — Cecil Smith; Lydeard House, Taunton. 



Late Appearance of the Swallow. — I saw a swallow flying about hawking for flies, 

 over a field near here, on the 2Slh of November. I also heard of one being seeu at 

 Taunton about the same day. — Id. 



Animal Confidence. — I have been much struck with the confidence in the midst of 

 danger shown by animals at the Kingston Rifle Range : the butt there is formed by a 



