Miscellanea — Zoological, by James Hardy. 531 



alive on the road at Littlehoughton, near Bilton, by the Rev. 

 Samuel Bucknell, Howick. Little Auks were caught inland in 

 Fifeshire. 



On the Change of Colour in the Feathers of the Head 

 of the Black-Headed Gull (Larus riclibundus). — " Berwick-on- 

 Tweed, April 9th, 1879. For the last three years I have closely 

 watched the change of colour in the Black-Headed Gull, and I 

 am now quite convinced this occurs from moulting, and not from 

 the feathers altering in hue. This happens earlier or later, just 

 as the spring is early or late. In 1877, I observed many Gulls 

 with the brown tinge over their heads quite as distinct in the end 

 of January as I did this year at the end of February, — and pre- 

 cisely in the same way does the weather affect their departure 

 from the sea-side to their inland haunts. In warm springs they 

 go away early ; in cold, they remain three or four weeks further 

 on with us. Some individuals . put on their dark head-dress 

 earlier than others, and these are the first to take their departure. 

 The moult itself begins at the occiput, and spreads over the top 

 and sides of the head ; and the slaty black feathers behind the 

 eye are also shed, and replaced by the sooty black feathers com- 

 mon to the whole head. In this way the colour of the head of 

 this beautiful bird assimilates in summer to the dark hues of the 

 arable land ; and in winter again resumes the colour more in 

 keeping with the sheen on the river and sea. This year I intend 

 to watch the autumnal change, and shall let you know the 

 result." — Colville Brown, M.D. On this interesting topic, Mr 

 Brotherston, who suggested the inquiry, has a right to be heard. 

 Of date April 3, 1879, he remarks: "I am, if possible, more 

 convinced than ever that the change in plumage of Gulls, &c, 

 takes place in the manner I mentioned previously. There is an 

 excellent article on the subject in the 'Zoologist' for March, 

 1879. It is translated by Mr Dresser from the Swedish of W. 

 Meeves, and confirms my opinion in every particular." 



Golden Eagle [Aquila chrysaetos). — A young male was shot 

 at Polmood, near Biggar, on the confines of Peeblesshire, in the 

 last week of December, 1878. This bird, which was sent to Mr 

 Hope for preservation, is small in size and nearly black in 

 plumage, and has a very conspicuous white spot on the upper 

 wing coverts, giving the bird the appearance of wearing epaulets. 

 I have never before met with the Golden Eagle in this state of 

 plumage on^the mainland of Scotland, although it is well known 



