180 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Ring Ouzel defending its Nest. — In 18(38, when fishing one of the 

 Dartmoor streams, I observed a Ring Ouzel in a very excited state, flying 

 round me, and making at the same time a peculiar cry. I searched the 

 banks of the stream for its nest, but not being able to find it, I resumed my 

 rod, still followed bj the bird. About eighty yards further on there grew 

 a small shrub ; when I got within a few feet of this, the Ouzel struck my 

 hat, and again attacked me. This time I caught it in my landing-net. 

 On examining the bush another bird flew out of its nest, which coutained 

 no eggs. This I suppose was the female, as on liberating my prisoner he 

 flew after it, and I saw no more of them. — G. Gyles (Kilmurry House, 

 near Waterford). 



Great Grey Shrike near Croydon. — A specimen of this bird was 

 caught by some bird-catchers at the bottom of Crohamhurst in November 



last, and was sold by them to our local taxidermist, Mr. C. Thorp. It was 

 a mature female in good plumage. — Frederick Lee Berney (61, North 

 End, Croydon). 



Variety of the Red-backed Shrike. — A specimen of this bird, of an 

 uniform creamy white colour, was shot at lielstead, near Ipswich, last 

 summer. — Hugh Turner (Ipswich). 



Uncommon Birds near York. — On October 28th I had a fine specimen 

 of Anser albifrons sent from Cottingwith. It was one of three which were 

 all shot on the 27th or 28th. A female American Bittern was shot near 

 Northallerton. I saw the bird in the flesh, and carefully compared it with 

 a skin of the Common Bittern in my own collection, and am satisfied of its 

 being the American species. Its gizzard contained the remains of field 

 mice. On November 80th a male Bewick's Swan was sent to mc from East 

 Cottingwith. Length, 36 inches ; expanse, two yards : weight, 13 lbs. 

 14 oz. ; an adult bird. Early in December a Waxwing was seen about a 

 mile from York, and an adult male Goldeneyc was sent to me from 

 Cottingwith. — J. Backhouse, Jdm. (West Bank, York). 



FISHE S. 



Marine Fishes in Fresh Water.— Does the life or well-being of a fish 

 whose natural habitat is the sea depend in any way upon the high specific 

 gravity or salinity of the water'? or may it not exist with equal comfort in 

 fresh, provided that it can there obtain its normal food, and that the con- 

 ditions are the same in other respects, with the one exception? Without 

 taking into account the denizens of lakes and rivers, which migrate 

 periodically to the ocean, or the sea-fish and crustaceans, which are in the 

 habit of ascending streams for a considerable distance, it has been shown in 



