8494 



Birds. 



run on the bottom." As to unwebbed water birds swimming, surely no one doubts this 

 fact when even land birds can propel themselves through water by their feet. — H. 

 Blake -Knox ; 49, Pulteney Street, Bath, March 5, 1863. 



Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) in Shetland. — This morning I met with one among 

 the heather upon the side of the hill above Clugan. This is a very rare visitor, only 

 one other instance of its occurrence having- been recorded, although it is rather common 

 in Orkney. — Henry L. Saxby ; Bulla Sound, Shetland, February 28, 1863. 



Common Snipe (Scolopax gallinago). — The editorial query (Zool. 8447) as to what 

 the common snipe of Europe is to be called if the Scolopax gallinago of America is a 

 distinct species, is more readily asked than answered. It might be easier to say what 

 it ought not to be called. For instance, it should not, according to Macgillivray, he 

 named the bleating snipe ; nor should it have been referred to by Wilson as the English 

 snipe. It is called by Buffon and Cuvier la btcassine, and by Temminck, Montagu 

 and other authors the common snipe, and so it is both in England and on the continent 

 of Europe; but as species more common and numerous still are found both in Asia and 

 America it might perhaps be better named.- I cannot answer for the former being 

 distinct, having, when in India, failed to examine and compare them. Temminck 

 says (ii. 677) that the common European snipe only differs from that of North America 

 by being some shades darker, whereas the reverse of this is the case ; see description 

 of the latter (Zool. 8285).—//. Hadfield ; Ventnor, Isle of Wight, March 8, 1863. 



Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in Shetland. — Several examples have occurred this 

 winter. Early in January I saw one swimming near the shore in Bressay Sound. — 

 Henry L. Saxby ; Balta Sound, Shetland, February 28, 1863. 



Pintail Duck (Anas acuta) in Shetland. — A male was shot in this island last July, 

 but whether it was alone or not I have been unable to ascertain. — Id. 



Pomarine Skua (Lestris pomarinus) in Shetland. — One, said to be a male, was shot 

 in the island of Bressay this winter by the Rev. Z. M. Hamilton. I have in my col- 

 lection a specimen which was shot at Scarv two years ago.— Id. 



Diary of the Laying of the Emeus at Brockham, in 1863. — 



WEIGHT. 



fib. 2£ oz. 



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