OP NOETHTJMBEELAJ^D AKD BTJEHAM. 93 



of which, the upper figure (Plate XI.) is a representation. There 

 is not much difference in the various specimens obtained. 



The dark rich brown colour of these birds suggests at first 

 sight the opinion that they may be hybrids between the Part- 

 ridge and Eed Grouse, but on a more careful examination there 

 is nothing to confirm this. 



Mr. Gould, in his "Birds of Great Britain," mentions a simi- 

 lar brown variety of the Partridge, but it is characterized by 

 having in both sexes a dark horse-shoe mark on the breast. In 

 our specimens, though the under parts are of a rich dark chest- 

 nut, there is not the slightest indication of this peculiar mark, 

 but as Mr. Gould does not give any further description, it is im- 

 possible to say how far the two varieties agree. 



Since the above was written, I have information of the cap- 

 ture of several other specimens, two of which have come into my 

 possession, one through the kindness of Mr. H. Wilkinson, Ve- 

 terinary Snxgeon, of IS'ewcastlc-upon-Tyne, and the second I 

 obtained of Mr. Duncan, bird-stuffer; this last is a young bird 

 in first plumage (Plate XII., lower figure), and is just begianing 

 to change to the brown plumage of the adult bird. It was shot 

 in N'orthumberland on the 19th of September, 1873. The for- 

 mer (Plate XII., upper figaire,) is also a bird of the year, but 

 being shot on the 16tli of October, 1873, it is probably a month 

 older than the latter bird, and consequently is much further ad- 

 vanced in its change of plumage. It has the neck clothed with 

 pale cream-coloured feathers, which are undoubtedly the fijst or 

 nest feathers, for they are being replaced by the brown of the 

 adult bird. 



94. COTURNIX, Mmhrinrj, 



5. Q,UAiL. C. coiMircmis, Bonnaterre. 



Perdix coturnix, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 360. 

 Coturnix vulgaris, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, II., 400. 



A spring-and-autumn migrant, not by any means common, and 

 somewhat local, but occasionally breeding in the district. !N"ests 



