2l8 MISCELLANEA 



MISCELLANEA 



Bird Notes for 1907-8 



Brown Variety of Partridge. — The remarkable dark brown 

 variety of the Partridge has re-appeared in the central part of 

 Northumberland, on the estate of Mr. T. H. Bainbridge at 

 Eshott. This was in the autumn of 1907, and one of the 

 brown birds which was shot has been preserved by Duncan. 

 The brown variety was at one time known as Perdix montana \ 

 it has occurred in various parts of England and the Continent, 

 and has long been known in mid-Northumberland. Its 

 appearances have, however, been very irregular, and for some 

 years past it has not been heard of in this county. It is 

 pleasing therefore to know that the strain, or the tendency to 

 this striking variation, has not died out in the district. 



Woodpecker in yesnwnd. — During the third week of 

 November, 1907, a Greater Spotted Woodpecker was seen 

 for some days about thie gardens near Jesmond Station and 

 in other parts of Jesmond. It was reported first by Mr. 

 Jos. G. Angus, and other reports of its presence were brought 

 to us for some days afterwards. 



Grey Shrikes in igoy. — The landing of a small number of 

 Great Grey Shrikes on the north-east coast is a regular event 

 in the autumn, but the immigration seems to have been un- 

 usually large in the autumn of 1907. We heard of many more 

 than usual being shot or seen at Newbiggin and other places 

 on the coast; and to judge by reports from different parts of 

 the county, the; number that penetrated inland and spent at 

 least part of the winter there must have been considerable. 

 Mr. Abel Chapman wrote of a shrike as having made a pro- 

 longed stay near his house on the North Tyne. A yoUng 

 male, still showing finely pencilled barrings on the breast, was 

 shot by Mr. Geo. E. Crawhall's keeper near Haydon Bridge 

 and was preserved at the mui^eum. 



