76 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in Norfolk, that I have recently learnt that one was seen throughout the 

 summer at Gissing, in this county, about forty years ago. I have carefully 

 cross-examined my informant, and have no doubt that it was accurately 

 identified, though not obtained. — H. T. Frere (Burston Rectory, Diss). 



Mole pursuing an Earthworm above ground. — One day, whilst 

 sauntering down a lane with steep-inclined banks covered with long matted 

 grass, I suddenly heard a rustle on the bank, and, stoppng a moment, 

 watched for a mouse or rat to appear, but to my surprise out came a very 

 large earthworm (Lumbricits), wriggling along at a rapid pace, being evidently 

 pursued by some enemy. Before the worm bad got clear of the grass, his 

 pursuer, a Mole, poked his head through, and, seizing the worm, bit it in 

 half. He then dragged one piece back, but whether he ate it or simply 

 secured it in some way 1 cannot say, as the period of his disappearance was 

 so short, and almost immediately he pushed his head through the grass 

 again, and began smelling about for the rest of his prey, which was wriggling 

 in front of him. He soon discovered it, and, seizing hold of it, carried it 

 back. During all this excitement the Mole only Bhowed his snout and head 

 through the grass. Evidently the Mole had been chasing the worm under- 

 ground, when the latter, coming to the surface, endeavoured, though 

 unsuccessfully, to make its escape. — Frederick Long (Wells, Norfolk). 



The Grey Seal in Norfolk.— On November 30th 1 saw a young female 

 Seal at Yarmouth, which had been killed two days previously on Breydon : 

 as it was undergoing the process of skinning at the time of my visit to 

 Lowne, the birdstuffer, nay opportunity for examining it was not very 

 favourable; but Mr. W. W. Spelman, for whom Lowne is preserving it, 

 very kindly allowed me to take away the head, and a subsequent comparison 

 of the skull with a number of specimens in the Museum of the Royal 

 College of Surgeons, under the guidance of Professor Flower, leaves no 

 doubt as to species (HalicheBrus grypvs). It will be remembered that an 

 adult female Grey Seal and its little one, killed in December, 1881 (Zool. 

 188U, p. 187), were the first recorded specimens of this species on the Norfolk 

 coast. The present example measured 4 ft. 3 in. in length from the nose to 

 the end of the bind flipper, and weighed 58 lbs. Mr Spelman has presented 

 the skull to the Norwich Museum. — T. Southwell (Norwich). 



BIRDS. 



The Migration of the Common Jay.— Lord Lilford remarks (p. 27), on 

 the unusual number of Jays which appeared in his woods in Northampton- 

 shire early in October. This is very interesting, as their sudden abundance 

 correlates with the great flight past Heligoland on the 6th, 7th, and 8th 

 of the same month. I have recently also received several communications 

 regarding the large and very unusual gatherings of Jays observed in the 



