66 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



but two Black Redstarts during the previous year (1880) ; one, 

 early in adult plumage, and another (immature) that had been 

 caught in a greenhouse, and which I am glad to say he set free. 

 I do not think that I saw one during the whole of that year. A 

 curious variety of the Common Linnet which I examined had the 

 whole plumage pure, white, with the exception of a few dark 

 feathers in the wings and tail ; it was caught in October last, and 

 soon after being caged sang beautifully, but unfortunately died 

 suddenly shortly afterwards. Late in November two rather 

 remarkable varieties of the Blackbird daily visited our garden ; 

 one of these had a perfectly white head and neck, the other was 

 marked like a Magpie ; both no doubt belonged to the same 

 brood. 



OCCASIONAL NOTES. 



Badgers in West Cornwall. — Apropos of Mr. Harvie Brown's article 

 on the Badger in Scotland, I may mention that this animal is of very 

 frequent occurrence in West Cornwall. I myself know by repute of two 

 coverts in my neighbourhood which are never drawn blank for a Badger ; 

 and a few of my friends who have been giving especial attention to 

 Badger-hunting have since last April, within an area of a mile from Prussia 

 Cove, — a fishing nook in Mount's Bay which is a favourite place of resort 

 with me, — killed twenty-one Badgers. — Thomas CoBNIBH. 



[The destruction of so many Badgers within so short a period in one 

 district we cannot regard but as a senseless persecution of a comparatively 

 inoffensive animal. What a contrast is here afforded to the treatment 

 which the Badger receives in a certain part of Leicestershire, where a 

 gentleman of our acquaintance affords this animal every possible protection ! 

 He has a pair close to his house which he feeds regularly, and which bring 

 out their young for his inspection, affording him the greatest pleasure, from 

 the observation he is able to make of their habits. — Ed.] 



Variety of the Irish Hake. — From some of the midland counties 

 of Ireland I have occasionally received a curious variety of this animal, the 

 upper parts being bright buff-colour, deepest along the back, and graduating 

 into white on the under parts. Near Dublin, on a property at Uonabate, 

 they have become numerous, and from thence spread northwards for some 

 miles. A single young one of this variety is often discovered in company 

 with a pair of the common kind in the breeding-place ; and again one of 

 the common Hares is found with a pair of the variety. Have any of your 



