28 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



harbour. Prominent among them were Knots (Tringa canutus), Dunlins 

 (T. alpina), Sanderlings (Calidris arenaria), Ringed Plover (JE. hiaticula), 

 while in lesser numbers occurred the Turnstone (S. interpret), Kentish 

 Plover (M. cantianus), Redshank (Totanus calidris), Greenshank (T. glottis), 

 Sandpiper (T. hypoleucus), together with an occasional Little Stint [Tringa 

 minuta), and Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), the last but one 

 occurring in small flocks of eight or nine, several of which were obtained by 

 local collectors. In the month of November birds were much less plentiful, 

 but with hard work a few could be always obtained, such as Grey Plover 

 (Charadrius helveticus), Ringed Plover, Golden Plover (0. pluvialis) — these 

 latter being far from plentiful, owing to the absence of cold weather. On 

 November 16th I had the unexpected pleasure of seeing a Buzzard 

 (probably Buteo vulgaris), but, not having my glasses at the time, could not 

 decide for certain. When first seen it was surrounded by four or five 

 Rooks who were mobbing it. Every now and again one of these would 

 mount above it, and flying downwards would peck at its back, of which the 

 Buzzard seemed not to take the slightest heed. I lay for three-quarters of 

 an hour watching it gradually sailing upwards and seawards, each circle 

 being longer than the last, until it disappeared from sight. The flight of 

 this bird seemed to require no effort. I hardly saw it flap its wings more 

 than once or twice all the time I watched it. No doubt it will sooner or later 

 fall a prey to some one on the look out for rare British birds. Out at sea 

 Scoters (CEdemia nigra) occurred in large numbers, but very wild, having 

 been much shot at, with an occasional Velvet Scoter ((E.fusca) aud Divers 

 (Colymbus septentrionalis), and I one day saw a splendid Great Northern 

 Diver (C. glacialis), but could not get near it. — W. H. Newberry 

 (105, Wood Street, London). 



Sale of a Great Auk's Egg. — On Dec. 13th a number of naturalists 

 were attracted to the Auction Rooms of Mr. Stevens in Covent Garden, by 

 an announcement that a sale of birds' eggs would take place, amongst which 

 was an egg of the Great Auk, Alca impennis. This egg, the property of 

 the Rev. Henry Burney, of Wavendon Rectory, Woburn, Bedfordshire, had 

 been purchased by him for £31 10s., in July, 1865, when four eggs of this 

 bird (duplicates from the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons) were 

 disposed of by auction in the same room. It was now to change hands 

 once more. The biddings commenced at fifty guineas, and, increasing by 

 additional offers of five guineas and ten guineas, quickly ran up to 160 

 guineas (£168), at which price it was knocked down to Mr. Leopold Field, 

 of Lambeth Marsh, and Harlesden, Middlesex. 



Notes from Western Australia.— Some months have elapsed since 

 I forwarded my last notes, and I do not even know if they were received, 

 no copies of ' The Zoologist ' having reached me from home since then. 



