Birds. 1099 



lard. The speculum itself resembles most nearly the mallard's, being of a brilliant 

 green ; in the teal it is half green and half black. The lesser wing-coverts resemble 

 the mallard's, as do the primaries and tail. The two middle feathers of the upper tail- 

 coverts are the same colour as in the mallard, and very slightly curled upwards. The 

 breast is an exact mixture of the two species, having the purplish-chestnut of the mal- 

 lard mixed with the spots of the teal. Having now stated some of the principal 

 points of resemblance to such a cross, I will state in what respects it differs. First, 

 then, the supposition of its being a hybrid between the teal and wild duck does not in 

 any degree explain the two peculiar spots on the cheeks indeed it so nearly resembles 

 the Japan teal (Anas formosa), in the form and position of these spots or marks, (an un- 

 doubted species and true duck), that one might be almost led to think it as constitut- 

 ing a generic character. It is true, that the head is a mixture of green and chest- 

 nut, and so far is a mixture of the teal and mallard. The next dissenting point is the 

 buff bar across, above the speculum, which in the teal is white, slightly tinged with 

 buff, and in the mallard white, which is again tipped with black, making a double bar. 

 Much more might be said on this subject but I hope enough has been said to draw the 

 attention of those to the subject who may be fortunate enough to procure a fresh male 

 specimen of this rare bird : in which case, I most sincerely hope that accurate mea- 

 surements may be taken, and the trachea preserved, which in the males of the duck 

 tribe forms a very distinctive character : the sternum too would be valuable. Unfor- 

 tunately, I was not aware of the rarity of my specimen until the body had been thrown 

 away. Until a fresh male specimen can be obtained and examined, I fear the uncer- 

 tainty which at present exists respecting this species will scarcely be cleared away. 

 Mr. George Gray, to whom I have shown the specimen, thinks the supposition of its 

 being a hybrid a very probable one. Since writing the above, I have received a note 

 from Mr. Bartlett, in which he speaks of two hybrid ducks, an account of which has 

 been transmitted to him by a friend at Shrewsbury ; which, if I understand him cor- 

 rectly, are a cross between the pintail and widgeon. He says, " They are 24 inches 

 long, and want the markings on the breast to make them like the bimaculated duck ; 

 the middle tail-feathers are more than an inch longer than the rest." The fresh spe- 

 cimen of the female bimaculated duck, it will be remembered, measured but 17^ 

 inches. I sincerely apologize for writing so lengthy a paper to occupy the space of 

 your most valuable journal. — R. F. Tomes ; Weston, Feb. 18th, 1847. 



Occurrence of the Ivory Gull at Penzance. — A bird of this species was shot from 

 our Pier Head, on Monday the 15th instant, after having been observed, for a day or 

 two previously, in company with common sea-mews and herring gulls. Tt alighted 

 several times on the New Pier, Battery Rocks, &c, adjacent to the town, without be- 

 traying any apparent shyness. The note of the bird was described to me as being the 

 reverse of harsh and grating, as referred to by authors. It more resembled the war- 

 bling, chirping whistle of oyster-catchers, but was deeper and louder ; this peculiarity 

 of tone attracted the notice of men and boys at the quay, who are accustomed to the 

 screaming and clamorous cries of the common gulls. This specimen measured 17f 

 inches in length ; the plumage on the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, is studded 

 with well-defined dusky-brown spots ; the tips of the quill-feathers for half an inch are 

 of the same colour ; the tail-feathers are similarly marked, and being of equal length, 

 present an uniform dark line across the end of the tail. This example has passed in- 

 to my possession, and I am not aware of any record of its having been before obtained 

 in this county. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, February 27th, 1847. 



