Birds, %c. 2925 



been detected until now, there is little doubt that the bridled guillemot has, all along, 

 been associated, although in a comparatively limited number, with its more common 

 and better known congener at the breeding-station referred to. Permit me to em- 

 brace the present opportunity to remark, that in speaking of the sea-fowl at Gamrie, I 

 omitted to mention that, in 1837, there was sent to Banff from the rocks in that parish 

 a specimen of the common guillemot (Una Troile), the whole plumage of which was 

 of a beautiful white, differing in intensity of colour in different parts of the body, much 

 in the same manner as in the white variety of the peacock ; where, although the colour 

 is all over white, the eyes as they are called, on the tail, or train, are nevertheless 

 distinctly visible. Those portions of the plumage, which in other specimens of the 

 common guillemot are of a brownish mouse-colour, were in this one of the colour of 

 cream ; while all the other parts were of the purest white. The bill, the legs, and the 

 feet were of a clay or pale yellowish cast ; the irides whitish ; and the inside of the 

 mouth a faint and subdued yellow. The specimen was stuffed, and placed in the mu- 

 seum at Banff; but in the course of years, it became so much destroyed by moths 

 that it was obliged to be thrown away. Notices not unfrequently occur in your own 

 publication, as well as in others, of numbers of the land birds being found in white or 

 albino plumage, contrary to their natural and general appearance ; but, so far as I can 

 recollect, I have sean no account of the common guillemot, nor indeed of any other 

 sea-bird whatever, having been met within this apparently unnatural dress. On this 

 account, yow will perhaps be disposed to consider the notice now sent, as not unworthy 

 of a place in the ' Zoologist.' — James Smith ; Manse of Monquhitter, Aberdeenshire, 

 September 16, 1850. 



Occurrence of the Common Skua (Lestris parasiticus) at Fleetwood. — A beautiful 

 specimen of Lestris parasiticus of Temminck was shot at Fleetwood, on the 20th of 

 August, by my friend, J. G. Leeming, Esq. The plumage of this bird is very softly 

 blended ; the dark cap of the head, and tinge of yellow over the cheeks and neck har- 

 monizing so well. I notice that my bird is whiskered, there being a line of feathers 

 from the base of the mouth to the extent of twelve lines of a dark buff tint, a peculia- 

 rity not observable in the figures of Gould, Yarrell, and Temminck. — John Plant; 

 Salford Royal Museum and Library, September 9, 1850. 



The Great Sea Serpent. 



The Great Sea Serpent has again appeared with immense eclat in the newspapers. 

 Most respectable witnesses are called to speak a word in his favor, as will be seen by 

 the following extracts from the daily press. It should, however, be premised that a 

 number of brief and anonymous paragraphs had previously located him " at Howth," 

 " off Wexford," and " off Cork ;" so that when he made the grand demonstration at 

 Kinsale, he appeared to be taking a coasting trip round the shores of old Ireland. 



" Courtmasherry, August 29. 



" Sir, — The following particulars, the accuracy of which need not be questioned, 

 will, I doubt not, interest many of your readers : — 



"The different fishing establishments on the shore of this extensive bay, extending 

 from the Old Head of Kinsale to the Seven Heads, have been within the last few days 



viii 2 p 



