2914 Bird's. 



coast of Gainrie towards the end of April or the beginning of May, 

 and take their departure to the South during the course of August. 

 The pew-il, or herring gull, would appear to remain the whole year 

 round. 



James Smith. 

 Manse of Monqubitter, Aberdeeushire. 

 July 29th, 1850. 



Unnecessary destruction of rare Birds. — I am very glad to see that the wanton 

 destruction of rare birds has been strongly and very properly animadverted on by one 

 of your correspondents, Mr. Willmot, of Manchester (Zool. 2878). It was my inten- 

 tion to have written on the subject : I think it is derogatory to the pages of the ' Zoolo- 

 gist ' to record such wholesale and wanton slaughter, as cruel as it is useless, for no 

 scientific object can be promoted thereby, as it is merely, probably, to place the birds 

 in an amateur's cabinet. Having paid some attention to birds for more than thirty 

 years, and not allowing one of any kind to be destroyed on my grounds, I have many 

 opportunities of observing their manners and habits, which might not otherwise be 

 afforded. I have derived much gratification occasionally from the perusal of the ' Zoo- 

 logist,' and I think in many respects it is a useful publication, but I strongly deprecate 

 the wanton destruction of rare species Mr. Willmot has alluded to. Why do not 

 your correspondents take a leaf from the benevolent author of the ' Wanderings in 

 South America,' (Mr. Waterton), who, in his ' Essays on Natural History' (a delight- 

 ful publication) has shown how much of the manners and habits of birds may be ob- 

 served by the aid of the telescope? I have little doubt some of the rare species of 

 birds which visit Great Britain occasionally would breed here, if this destructive war- 

 fare was not carried on against them ; but no sooner does a rare visitant appear than 

 it is mercilessly doomed to destruction. I think not only the scientific naturalist, but 

 every real lover of nature, must regret this. — Harford James Jones Brydges ; Boulti- 

 brooke, August 16, 1850. 



The New Holland Nymphicus (Nymphicus Novs Hollandis) laying eggs in con- 

 finement. — I have inclosed you an egg of the New Holland Nymphicus, laid in this 

 country. The old bird was received in 1847, and very soon became extremely gentle 

 and familiar, and always appeared lively and well till about three months ago, when it 

 laid two eggs and died. — Walter Reeves ; Tonbridge Wells, August 15, 1850. 



Occurrence of the Nutcracker (Nucifraga Caryocatactes) in Surrey. — The gardener 

 at West Horsley Place being a bit of a bird-stuffer, frequently has specimens brought 

 to him from the neighbourhood, and three years ago, as near as he can remember, 

 about this time of the year, a labouring man sold him a bird which he had shot on 

 the roof of his cottage, on Clandon Common, in this county (Surrey), which he pre- 

 served, but till the other day had no notion what it was, when a gentleman from the 

 neighbourhood happening to see it, told him that it was a nutcracker. I have since 

 seen it, and thought that it was worthy of a corner in the 'Zoologist.' — G. J. Webb ; 

 Milford House, Godalming. 



Occurrence of the Golden Oriole (Oriolus Galbula) near Yarmouth. — A female 

 specimen of the golden oriole was shot near Yarmouth on the 1st instant. Another 



