68 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
were those of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, as I questioned them closely 
respecting them) from any pecuniary point of view, for they did not ask 
any higher price for them. In our subsequent climbing excursions on the 
Filey cliffs we were always accompanied by one of these men, and he 
seemed to be well acquainted with the different species of sea-birds occurring 
on the coast, and when I asked him respecting the Lesser Black-backed 
Gull he said he only occasionally met with them breeding there, and could 
not be certain of finding their eggs every season, but was positive upon the 
point that this species does nest on the cliffs. I hope the question may be 
satisfactorily cleared up this year, and have little doubt but that our man’s 
statement will prove to be correct. In reply to Mr. Clarke’s remarks 
respecting the Rock Dove's eggs we took, I am certain the two clutches 
we were fortunate in obtaining were of this species, for in both cases we 
had a clear view of the bird, from above, as it left the nest. From one of 
the nests we had sent off the bird at least half a dozen times before we 
finally took the eggs, as we almost daily walked above the site. I appear to 
have omitted all mention of the Stock Dove in my paper somewhat 
unaccountably, for, on reference to my note-book, I find we constantly 
noticed its presence. We not only observed it on the cliffs, but we found 
a nest containing eggs in an old tree in one of the ravines running inland. 
—Tuomas Carter (Burton House, Masham). 
Reported Occurrence of the Short-toed Lark. — Referring to Mr. 
Fisher's note on the Short-toed Lark (p. 31), I must confess that to my 
mind the evidence adduced as to the authenticity of the specimen amounts 
at most only to a probability of its being British. Mr. Fisher is not 
perhaps aware that Short-toed Larks are imported by London dealers among 
Goldfinches from France and Spain. At all events, I could myself add the 
Serin Finch and Cirl Bunting to the Norfolk lists on similar evidence ; or 
might register the Little Owl, Brambling, and Siskin as having bred in 
Devon, Essex, and North Wales on the strength of hand-reared specimens, 
which I was assured had been taken in those counties —H. A. MacrHERSON 
(Carlisle). 
Puffin in Nottinghamshire.—A daughter of the Rev. C. Wells, of 
Mansfield Woodhouse, picked up one of these birds alive on the road near 
that village in November, and kindly brought it over here forme. This 
is the first time this species has occurred in this county, so it will form a 
great addition to the county birds in my collection. It was a young bird 
ot the year.—J. WHITAKER (Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield). 
Uncommon Birds in Devon.—Early in January an adult male Golden- 
eye Duck was shot near Slapton, at Mr. Holdsworth’s lea, also a female 
Gadwall on the Slapton Lea, the first of w hich we have any record in this 
neighbourhood. On Jan. 12th, on Slapton Lea, a fine male Egyptian 
