4808 Birds. 



from each other: in the specimen just obtained the under parts are creamy white 

 blotched with light rufous-brown, becoming more transverse towards the lower parts. 

 The feathers of the upper breast and throat have a very dark hair-like streak down the 

 shafts of each feather, very distinct and remarkable at some distance. The variations 

 in the plumage of this species are apparently so frequent that it is often difficult to 

 determine the sexual distinctions, as well as the signs of the adult and unadult state 

 of its plumage. Authors, I observe, give the female two shades of brown to her breast 

 and belly, and more or less white to the immature bird's head and neck. The speci- 

 men lately obtained from Carclew, and which is now before me, proved on dissection 

 to be a young male. There is no white about the head, and the fore part of the head 

 and the whole of the region of the eyes are of a dull bluish ash. The tail has no dis- 

 tinct bar, but the upper third presents a darker shade of brown than the lower part ; 

 the tip to the extent of an inch almost black. The iris, which I examined in the flesh, 

 bright yellow. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, June 30, 1855. 



Occurrence of the Roller (Coracias garrula) in Suffolk. — A specimen of this rare 

 and handsome bird was shot on the 28th of May, at Honiton, near Somerleyton. It 

 proved to be an adult female. — H. Stevenson; Norwich, June 25, 1855. 



Occurrence of the Pectoral Sandpiper (Tringa pectoralis) on the Coast of 

 Northumberland. — A mature female of that rare bird, the pectoral sandpiper 

 was shot by Mr. R. Duncan, of Newcastle, on the Northumbrian coast, near 

 ^Whitley, on the 27th of June last. It agrees in every respect with the description of 

 that species by Mr. Yarrell, and, as in his instance, it showed a great partiality for sit- 

 ting on sea-weed, always, when disturbed, flying from one heap to another, uttering at 

 the same time a loud and peculiar note. — Thomas John Bold ; Angas Court, Bigg 

 Market, Newcastle-on-Tyne, August 2, 1855. 



Occurrence of large Flocks of Crossbills near Hull. — We have lately had a very 

 large arrival of crossbills, large flocks having been seen in various parts of the country 

 in this neighbourhood. I have myself noticed on several occasions small flocks flying 

 about in the vicinity of the town, their presence being indicated by their peculiarly 

 lively call-note. I saw a gentleman this morning (from a village near the shores of 

 the Humber), who said they abounded there in extraordinary numbers, the flocks 

 arriving early in the morning from over the sea, and flying eastward at a great height. 

 During the daytime, when congregated in the trees, they allowed their numbers to be 

 much thinned by the gun without being much disturbed. Parties who shot them for 

 food reported them to be very good eating.— G. Norman; Beverley Road, Hull, Au- 

 gust. 7, 1855. 



Note on the destruction of Sivallows, Q-c, by the severity of the weather. — I have 

 been somewhat surprised that none of the correspondents of the 'Zoologist' have 

 alluded to the remarkable destruction of Hirundines and other birds which occurred at 

 the end of May in the present year. I have traced this destruction over many por- 

 tions of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire; and it is probable that it 

 was not confined to the midland counties. The night of the 30th of May was 

 extremely cold, and on the 3 1st numbers of the chimney swallow (Hirundo rustica) 

 were found dead in various parts of Derbyshire. Four were found in the court-yard at 

 Melbourne Hall, and many lying at intervals on the banks of the pool. The mar- 

 gin of a small rivulet below King's Newton was dotted with them at intervals for more 

 than a mile: apparaently thej had tried to gain the bushes whereon to roost, aud 



