Birds. 3807 



that the whole of the upper surface has a deep metallic green gloss, approaching to 

 purple in some lights, except the tail and the flight feathers, which are dull black ; 

 the whole under surface is white except the tail and wings, which are of an ordinary 

 neutral tint, whilst on this aspect the greater part of the shafts of the primaries is 

 white. The occurrence of a specimen of a second species of American swallow in 

 England is no more than any one, who had satisfied himself of the reality of the for- 

 mer event (the occurrence of the purple martin), would be prepared to expect. No 

 kinds of land bird once driven out to sea seem better qualified for arriving safe at this 

 side the Atlantic than the swallows ; but it is a question whether even these could ac- 

 complish it without the assistance of ships, of which land birds at sea are so often 

 seen by sailors to make use. Also they probably require strong and long continued 

 west winds to lessen the duration of their exertion and their fast ; and still it appears 

 likely that they have a chance of surviving only when their misfortune happens at the 

 time of their migrations, when doubtless nature has prepared them for extraordinary 

 endurance of hunger and fatigue. And after all, what a very few are lucky or un- 

 lucky enough to reach our inhospitable shores ! — John Wolley ; 11, Park Place Ter- 

 race, February 5, 1853. 



Note on the abundance of Woodcocks in particular Localities. — In reference to Mr. 

 Newton's communication about the partiality of the unusual numbers of woodcocks 

 observed this season (Zool. 3754), I may observe that in this neighbourhood they were 

 never known to be so plentiful, and a friend who has just been in Wales, informs me 

 they have appeared there in extraordinary numbers. — C. R. Bree ; Stowmarket, Fe- 

 bruary, 1853. 



Occurrence of the Green Sandpiper (Totanus ochropus) near Lynn. — An individual 

 of this species was shot here a day or two since. Although this bird is pretty frequent 

 in some parts of Norfolk, its appearauce in this neighbourhood is rare. — E. L. King ; 

 Lynn, January 12, 1853. 



Occurrence of the Ivory Gull, fyc. at Torquay. — The gull was shot on the 18th ; it 

 was first seen in and about our pier, evidently very much distressed, as it kept settling 

 on the pier walls and on the vessels ; it was stoned from this by the boys and followed to 

 Livermead, about half a mile from here, and shot whilst sitting on one of the cliffs. 

 The markings of the bird correspond exactly with those mentioned by Captain Sa- 

 bine in Yarrell's second edition. The black redstart has been so frequently mentioned 

 by myself and others that it can hardly be set down as a rare bird ; I have six speci- 

 mens by me at this moment, five of which were shot this winter, and others seen. 

 These birds visit our sjp§res between the months of September and February, and I 

 have not the slightest doubt their migratory flight is to no great distance. Perhaps 

 on our moors their times of coming and going correspond with those of the gray 

 wagtail ; the latter bird is to be found singly, or not more than a pair together, all 

 through the winter, around our shores, and leaves us at the end of February, if a mild 

 season, for their summer haunts. I have found them during the summer months in 

 the neighbourhood of Chudleigh, &c, a distance of twelve or thirteen miles from 

 here. A flight of bramblings made their appearance here during this week, a rare oc- 

 currence in this locality. I had eight specimens brought me for preserving. I knew 

 of one pair only being shot a few winters back when snow was on the ground, similar 

 to this season. — E. Burt ; Torquay, February 14, 1853. 



