144 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Ornithological Notes from Breconshire. — During the past winter 

 Siskins, Friiigilla spinus, were extremely abundant here, moving about in 

 large flocks. A Great Northern Diver, Cohjmhus glacialis, was seen at 

 Llangorse Lake, and was pursued in a boat for some hours, but I rejoice 

 to say escaped. In January I observed a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Picus 

 major, near Talybout, the only one seen during the winter. A female 

 Scaup, Fuligula niarila, was shot on the Usk, near this town, and a drake, 

 presumably its partner, was until quite recently on the Gludy Lake. 

 A curions specimen of the Rook was killed near Aberystwith last autumn, 

 being of a light ash-colour over the entire body, with white eyes ; and, 

 near the same place, a white Starling, with dark reddish brown eyes. 

 I think this worth noticing, as no bird breeds truer to colour than the 

 Starling, and albinos amongst them are certainly rare — at least, such is my 

 e.\perience. [Scarcely a year elapses in which two or three are not reported 

 to us. — Ed.] It may interest Mr. Norgate to know that late in September, 

 188Q, about the 28th, I killed an adult Nightjar, Caprimulgus europceus, 

 near Highworth, Wilts. This bird is common here, and may at any time 

 be seen on a line summer's evening. I think they leave us early in August, 

 for I have only once seen one after the middle of that month, when Grouse 

 shooting some years since. I have had one occasionally brought to me 

 early in August, and always as a great larity, but never after that date. 

 Those who brought them would hardly believe that the bird is a common 

 summer visitant. — E. Cambridge Phillips (Brecon, S. Wales). 



Provincial Name for the Black Tern. — In his " Ornithological 

 Notes from Norfolk and Suffolk "(p. 8) Mr. Gunn states that the Black 

 Tern is locally called the "Blue Daw." This I think is an error; the 

 Terns were formerly all known as " Dars," but, so far as I can learn, never 

 " Daws." The Common Tern was " the Dar," " Sea Swallow," " Great 

 Pearl," or " Strader"; the Lesser Tern the " Little Dar," " Small Pearl," 

 "Reek," or "Dip-ear"; and the Black Tern the " Blue Dar."— Thomas 

 Southwell (Norwich). 



Hybrid Canary and Serin Finch.— IMr. Macpherson may be interested 

 to know that a gentleman in this city has bred four mules from this cross, 

 one of which is now in his possession. There were also some similar 

 hybrids offered for sale in ' The Bazaar ' a short time ago. — J. F. Masuam 

 (South Park, Lincoln). 



Breeding of the Lesser Redpoll in Northamptonshire.— Looking 

 over a collection of eggs the other day, I was shown a pair of Lesser 

 Redpolls, taken near Rushden, two miles from here. I send this notice 

 in the belief — possibly incorrect — that the breeding of this bird is 

 hitherto uurccoided from this county. — H. H. Slaikr (Irchester Vicarage, 

 Wellingborough). 



