114 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
in that year, in Cowpen Marsh, near Redcar. The bird has since proved 
to be a young male Garganey, Querquedula circia, and I am therefore 
desirous of correcting my former statement in regard to it.—T. H. NELSON 
(North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland). 
Note on Macheramphus alcinus.—The information given by Mr. 
Pryer (supra, pp. 47, 48) as to the bat-eating propensities of Haliastur 
imdus (or rather H. intermedius) and of Macheramphus alcinus is highly 
interesting, and, with regard to the last-named species, I wish to point out 
that its near ally, MM. anderssoni, of Madagascar and South Africa, is also 
a bat-eater, as recorded by Andersson in his ‘ Notes on the Birds of 
Damara Land,’ p. 24.—J. H. Guryey (Northrepps Hall, Norwich). 
[We may remind our readers that the common Hobby has been known 
to prey on Bats.—See ‘ Zoologist,’ 1877, p. 472.—Ep.] 
Marsh Harrier in Dumbartonshire. — A young male specimen of the 
Marsh Harrier, Circus @ruginosus (Linn.), was taken by a gamekeeper in a 
trap at Caldarvan, Dumbartonshire, on July 2nd, 1883. It had been 
observed for some days before flying about in the neighbourhood of a small 
loch, near which it was taken. Total length, 19} inches; spread of wings, 
48 inches. The birdstuffer who preserved the bird reported the stomach to 
be empty. ‘The Marsh Harrier is now a rare bird in any part of Scotland, 
and very few specimens have of late years been recorded from any of the 
western counties. So far as I am aware, there is no authentic instance of 
the species ever having before occurred in the county of Dumbarton. It is 
included—under the name of Moor Buzzard—in the list of the birds of the 
parish of Luss by the Rev. Mr. Stewart (‘ Statistical Account of Scotland,’ 
published 1796); but, although this gentleman was a good naturalist, we 
fear some of the species in his list must be accepted with care. — Jamns 
Lumsprn (Arden, Dumbartonshire). 
FISHES. 
Food of Cod.—I have found in the stomach of a Cod the partly-digested 
remains of a common Squid, Loligo vulgaris. There is nothing at all 
remarkable about this beyond the fact that the Cuttle was perfect, with the 
exception of its sac or outer covering. It is curious that this should have 
first yielded to the gastric juice of the fish—Tnos. Cornisu (Penzance). 
MOLLUSCA. 
The Band-marking of Helix hortensis.—It may sometimes be 
observed that in specimens of H. hortensis, which were, when in good 
condition, bandless, that on the shel! becoming weathered, there are tracts 
corresponding to the position of the bands of other shells, which become 
eroded and the epidermis destroyed more rapidly than other parts; thus 
