886 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
advances, the luxuriant brown making way for a creamy colour, the hair at 
the same time becoming scanty; the teeth, strange to say, except for great 
discoloration, do not as a rule exhibit much change as the Squirrel gets 
older. If Squirrels become too numerous, they will degenerate not only in 
size, but in general appearance; as this is caused by too much interbreeding 
there is nothing strange in it. It is to be hoped that the Squirrel will 
not, like many other interesting animals, be improved off the land; it is 
consoling to think that his depredations are mostly confined to the property 
of what I may call the non-speculative classes, who can regard his pretty 
ways as a fair recompense for the damage done by his sharp teeth.— 
Hersert Gow Srewart (Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent). 
BIRDS. 
An Albino Nightjar.—Mr. Pratt, the taxidermist of Brighton, has just 
now in his shop an albino Nightjar, which was shot at Northease, near 
Lewes, on or about August 20th. Seen in an ordinary light the bird 
appears perfectly white; but, with a strong light, faint bars can be seen on 
the tail, and also a faint line on the scapulars. Mr. Pratt tells me that the 
eyes were pink.— Hersert Laneron (115, Queen’s Road, Brighton). 
Notes from Hunstanton, Norfolk.—The cold dull weather and N.E. 
winds seem to have brought down the birds on their autumn migration 
earlier than usual this year. Adult Sanderlings were pretty plentiful by 
August Ist; on the 12th I shot the first Knot (young bird), and on the 
13th a beautiful mature Turnstone. On the 22nd I shot an adult Richard- 
son’s Skua, like the central figure in ‘ Yarrell,’ and saw one or two more of 
the same species. An immature Cormorant passed me within easy shot 
near the bathing-machines, and was soon after shot from the pier-end by a 
boatman. On the 25th I got an immature Purple Sandpiper, and had just 
picked it up when a large flock of Golden Plover passed high overhead, 
flying due south. Wild Geese have been seen on one or two occasions 
this month (August), but, as none were shot, the species cannot be identified. 
—Juiian G. Tuck (St. Mary’s, Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent). 
Ring Ouzels in Gardens, — With reference to the note, “ Ring Ouzel 
feeding on Cherries,” and editorial remarks thereon in ‘ The Zoologist’ for 
September (p. 346), I find recorded in my diary that Ring Ouzels are 
constant visitors to the garden at Skelpick Shooting-lodge, in Strathnaven, 
Sutherlandshire, when the fruit is ripe. They are even more numerous 
and troublesome there than the Blackbirds and Thrushes, paying especial 
attention to the raspberries. I was in the garden on two occasions in 
August last and saw a good many of these birds, finding it by no means 
easy to dislodge them from the raspberry-bushes. The tenant of the Lodge 
informed me that they did considerable damage to his fruit. — 8S, G. Reip 
(Capt., late R.E.). 
