250 MISCELLANEA 



presumably the same pair, have made this spot their head- 

 quarters during the winter months, leaving again in early 

 spring for their nesting grounds. 



The coastguard says that some little time ago a third 

 Cormorant was found upon the rocks here in an exhausted 

 condition and taken to the men's cabin and tended, where it 

 soon became very tame. When given its liberty it returned 

 again and again to the cabin, and it appears the men had the 

 greatest difficulty in driving the bird away. 



It is remarkable that Cormorants, which one usually 

 associates with the Fames or the wilder parts of the coast, 

 should have chosen a haunt within the track of shipping and 

 near such large and busy towns. The fish refuse borne down 

 by the tide from Shields Quay, which is in near proximity, 

 might possibly be the attraction. — J. "J. Hill. 



Brown Variety of Partridge. — On December 4th, 191 1, I 

 was shown a Partridge which had been shot at Cockle Park, 

 near Morpeth, on November 24th, and which was being 

 preserved for Mr. T. E. Parrington, of Carley Hill, Monk- 

 wearmouth. It was an adult of the well-known montana 

 variety, examples of which are shot from time to time in this 

 district, especially in central Northumberland. But it differed 

 in some respects from the usual adult of this variety, and the 

 difference is worth recording because the montana pattern is 

 remarkably constant as a rule wherever it appears, even in 

 such widely separated localities as Northumberland, Norfolk 

 and Spain. The notes I made at the time on this bird from 

 Cockle Park are as follows : Not same in colour as the usual 

 P. montana variety ; parts usually dark chocolate are much 

 lighter brown, with a cinnamon shade ; breast feathers spotted 

 near tips with dull white ; head and neck a less brilliant buff — 

 softened in colour towards a brownish straw. — E. L. G. 



Birds in Museum Grotinds. — Interesting birds visit the 

 Museum grounds from time to time; the visit of a Greater 

 Spotted Woodpecker was recorded in a recent number of the 



