422 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



almost forgotten to mention that, when at Wembury, we observed 

 on the rocks a little way from tbe shore a Cormorant which 

 appeared to have a narrow but clearly-defined pure wbite ring 

 round its neck, and which contrasted strongly with the general 

 dark plumage. I think we could hardly be mistaken, for we all 

 looked at it through a powerful pocket-glass. Swifts were still 

 to be seen hawking high in the air on August 18th, and the same 

 day a young Corn Crake was brought in which had been killed by 

 flying against the Eddystone Lighthouse. It was in good con- 

 dition, though its stomach contained nothing but small particles 

 of quartz and gravel. This seems to be rather an early date for 

 the departure for a young bird. 



On August 29th I visited Brent, a few miles from Plymouth, 

 and on the River Avon observed several Dippers, both young and 

 old, also many Grey Wagtails, some of which latter had only just 

 begun to lose the black throat-patch of the breeding season. 

 When passing Plympton in the train I saw some Swifts wheeling 

 round at a great height ; the weather very fine and warm. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



The Age of an Eagle. — Eagles are proverbially said to be long-lived, 

 although it does not often happen that such statements are based on actual 

 observation. The following paragraph relating to the age of an Imperial 

 Eagle appeared in the ' Times ' of Sept. 8th : — " The Berlin ' Post ' reports 

 that some days ago at Fiirsteuwald, in the province of Brandenhurg, a field 

 labourer heard a dog howling in a most dismal manner. Running in the 

 direction wheuce the sounds came he saw a large bird perched on the back 

 of the watch-dog of a neighbouring fanner, and the two were struggling, 

 half in the air, half on the ground. At last they passed iuto a copse. He 

 ran and called the bailiff of the place where he was working. Returning 

 to the spot they saw the bird hopping a few paces, moving with difficulty. 

 He tried to fly, but was evidently disabled. A shot killed him. They 

 found the dog dead ; all the flesh had been literally torn off his bones by his 

 enemy. The bird was an Eagle, of the species known as Aquila imperialis, 

 and measured seven feet between the tips of his wings. The dark, almost 

 black, plumage, with the snow-white shoulders, gave a hint as to his age. 

 On his left foot, just above the claws, was a ring made of a strong gold 

 plate, on which were cut the letters, still quite visible, ' H. Ks. o. k.,* 

 underneath which was the word ' Epeijes,' and on the other side the date — 



