NOTES AND (QUERIES. 19^^ 



B I K D S . 



Reported occurrence of Emberiza melariocephala in Scotland. — 

 When visiting the Crystal Palace Bird Show on February 15tli, I was 

 surprised to find that, in Class 66, the first prize had been won l)y 

 No. 1317, a male Black-headed Bunting, Emberiza melamcephala , in 

 winter dress. On enquiry its owner, Mr. T. Crossley, of Kendal, wrote to 

 me at some length regarding the bird, which " was caught near Dumt'erm- 

 line, on or about the 5th of November last, while flying in company with 

 some Snow Buntings." Mr. Crossley subsequently informed me that he 

 purchased the bird from a dealer while on a visit to Scotland on the 8rd of 

 January. Mr. Crossley amusingly maintains that his specimen is au 

 immature Ortolan. He has no doubt as to its capture as above stated. — 

 H. A. Macpherso.n. 



[See a note on the occurrence of this species in Nottinghamshire (Zool. 

 1886, p. 73), and its previous occurrence near Brighton (Ibis, 1869, p. 1"28). 

 Since described and figured in the 4tli edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds,' 

 vol. ii. p. 64. — Ed.). 



Albino Birds in Co. Wicklow. — Mr. J. R. Fitzgerald's note on albino 

 birds (p. 110) reminds me of some curious albinos which have occurred 

 about here. Two, a Jackdaw and a Blackbird, are in the possession of 

 Mr. D. M'Kellar. The Jackdaw is of an uniform creamy white, except 

 the top of the head, which is grey. It is a young bird of the first year, 

 and was shot near Carnew, in December, 1883. It came from a nest in 

 one of the houses of that village, and had the white plumage from a 

 nestling, having been frequently seen before it was shot. The albino type 

 is, I think, not so common among Jackdaws as among many other species. 

 The Blackbird is a very curious and beautiful specimen, white, lightly 

 tinged with shades of buff and pale brown. It was shot near Shillelagh in 

 February, 1886. In November last, on Slievebuidhe Hill, a Magpie was 

 seen which was all white, except a black collar round the neck, extending 

 into a large patch on the shoulders, and some black spots on the wings. It 

 was in company with two other Magpies of the ordinary type. Some years 

 ago a white-winged Wren frequented the roadside near Park ; and a cream- 

 coloured Sparrow was seen in the village of Shillelagh. ^Allan Ellison 

 (Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow). 



Wood Pigeons casting up Pellets. — When hawking in Cambridge- 

 shire, on December 15th, I went from the open land through a wood 

 frequented (at that season) by hundreds of Wood Pigeons. Among their 

 droppings I saw some oval-shaped "castings," about an inch in length. 

 I have noted this in the Shrikes, Rooks, iuid Swallows, but never in this 

 form in the Pigeon. I am aware of the manner they feed their young, but 



ZOOLOGIST. — MAY, 1887. Q 



