Xvi 
‘A Thrush (7. musicus) lately came under my notice, of a uniform 
pale-buff colour, which gave it an odd appearance. Yavrrell mentions that 
varieties in colour are not uncommon. 
‘‘ About the same time a Hawtinch (C. vulgaris) was sent from Linkin- 
horne, to Mr. Ough, animal preserver, at Liskeard. This is the third or 
fourth specimen killed in this neighbourhood, of late years. 
“‘T may also mention that in January, 1871, an American Bittern (B. 
lentiginosus) was shot at Woodhill in Liskeard, by Mr. Wm. Downing, who 
still has it. Particulars appeared at the time in the ‘‘ Field” newspaper. 
Mr. E. H. Rodd, in a list of British Birds as a guide to the Ornithology of 
Cornwall, published in 1850 in the Zvransactions of the Penzance Natural 
History and Antiquarian Society, says of the bird: ‘‘ Not Cornish; reported 
to have been killed in Cornwall, but no instance authenticated; very rare as 
a British bird.” Mr. Doney, who mounted the Bittern, showed me also a Red 
Grouse (T. Scoticus), a female, which he had then lately received from the 
neighbourhood of Broadoak. Of this bird, Mr. Rodd remarks: ‘‘ Not Cornish, 
nor is it found in any of the Southern or Western Counties.” 
‘© A week or two later, Mr. Doney brought me a Hooded Crow (Corvus 
cornix) ; andin April following, a Greater Spotted Woodpecker (P. major), 
and a Hoopoe (U. epops) obtained from Warleggan. These birds are also of 
sufficient rarity with us to warrant my mentioning them.” 
On motion by Mr. TWEEDY, seconded by Rev. H. 8. SLIGHT, 
thanks were voted to the contributors of Papers and other com- 
munications, and to the donors to the Museum and the Library.— 
Thanks were also voted to Dr. JAGO, on a proposition from Mr. 
H. O. REmMFRY, seconded by Mr. Pascoe, for the ability with 
which he had presided over the proceedings of the Meeting. 
A QUADRUPLE RatnBow.—tThe following communication from 
Mr. R. N. WortH, was presented to the Institution at its Spring 
Meeting, in 1872. 
On the 15th October, the day of the inauguration of the Davy Memorial 
at Penzance, I had the good fortune to see the phenomenon of supplementary 
or supernumerary rainbows. About half-past 10 in the morning, whilst pro- 
ceeding up North Street, towards the Cattle Market, the sky being about 
three-fourths covered with cloud, my attention was attracted by the unusual 
breadth of a rainbow which appeared directly in front. This was the primary 
bow; and, while I was looking at it, the secondary arc became visible. I then 
had before me a quadruple rainbow,—namely primary and secondary bows of 
the usual type; and, immediately within the primary bow, and to all appearance 
touching it, a couple of supplementary bows, each about half the width of the 
ordinary ones. It is stated that these supplementary bows are red and green, 
and certainly those that I saw had at a cursory glance that appearance. More 
exact scrutiny however gave me the impression that the reduced width of 
the innermost bows was caused by an overlapping of the different parts of 
the spectrum, by which the colours were so confused and blended, moreover, 
that the red and green effect was produced. The primary bow was of the 
ordinary brightness ; the supplementary ones about equal in distinctness to 
the secondary. The phenomenon was of brief duration, lasting only a few 
minutes. 
