NOTES AND QUERIES. 389 
be much more congenial to this species than the almost perpendicular chalk 
precipices at Buckton and Speeton. Mr. Carter may well be congratulated 
on having added this fine species to the list of Yorkshire breeding-birds.— 
Juutan G. Tucx (St. Mary’s, Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent). 
Black-chinned Bramblings. — Mr. J. H. Gurney’s interesting 
remarks (p. 346) on Black-chinned Bramblings induce me to add a few 
words to his note. The first male Brambling, with a black chin only a 
quarter of an inch in extent, which I came across was given to me by an 
East London birdcatcher, but I have forgotten where he netted it. 
Referring to my annotated ‘Yarrell,’ I find that on March 25th, 1884, 
I closely examined about fifteen dozen Bramblings at once in the Spitalfields 
shops, all being fresh-caught birds from Cambridgeshire. Out of all the 
number I only counted five females, and only one male showed a tendency 
to variation. The black feathers irregularly besprinkling the throat of this 
bird show, to my mind, that the presence of the black feathers on the chin 
or throat is due to an extension of the black face over the surface of the 
throat. It is not “melanism” any more than the presence of a white chin 
in a “cheverel” Goldfinch could be strictly termed “albinism”; nor does it 
arise, I imagine, from unhealthy condition ; I regard it rather as a mark of 
vigour than otherwise. But if, as I am disposed to think, it is only an 
extension of the black colour of the head, it is obvious we could not expect 
to find it in the brown or grey-headed female. A third example exhibits an 
entire black throat to perfection, and from its general brightness is probably 
an old bird: It was shot near Carlisle, November, 1882. — H. A. Mac- 
PHERSON (Carlisle). 
FISHES. 
The Fish Gallery at the Natural History Museum. — Since the 
publication of our last number the new Fish Gallery at the Natural History 
Museum, South Kensington, has been opened to the public. This fine 
gallery, 140 feet in length by 50 feet in width, is approached from the 
ceutral hall through the Bird Gallery, out of which it opens at right angles. 
The greater portion of this collection, which has been arranged by Dr. 
Giinther, F.R.S., the Keeper of the Zoological Department, is exhibited in 
a series of wall-cases round the room; while the larger specimens, such as 
the Sharks, Dolphins‘ Sword-fishes, Wolf-fish, Sun-fish, &e., are arranged 
on stands and table-cases in the centre of the gallery. A Guide to this 
collection, we understand, is in course of preparation, and will shortly be 
printed. 
MOLLUSCA. 
Uncommon Varieties of Arion and Limax. — Conchologists will be 
glad to hear of fresh English localities for two uncommon varieties of slugs. 
I recently found Arion ater var. bicolor fairly abundant at Chideock, near 
Bridport, and at New Quay, in Cornwall. At the latter place I also found 
