272 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Grey and Yellow species appeared earlier than usual, and during the height 

 of the snowstorm. The Ring Ouzel seems to vary, over a series of seasons, 

 in its date of appearance, being evidently guided by the nature of each year. 

 These birds certainly came earlier during recent years than formerly ; 

 but they were certainly not welcomed, owing to their habit of plundering 

 gardens, but they have probably increased since protection has been 

 resorted to. Sandpipers seem to appear fairly near one date, viz. about 

 the end of April. The Cuckoo was evidently early, especially when 

 there was so little genial weather. Local circumstances govern their 

 appearance in our immediate locality, where young wood, with abundance 

 of insects, attracts them earlier than before. But it must be remembered 

 that on moors here Cuckoos choose Mountain Linnets (Linota flavirostris) 

 for foster-parents, and the offspring may be hardier and calculated to appear 

 earlier, and remain longer than those brought up by less hardy birds. 

 There were twos and threes flying together a few days after their first 

 appearance, and apparently more notice was taken of them by the Twites 

 than by other birds. It is an open question whether any recognition 

 would occur either between the last season's young or adult Cuckoos, and 

 those Linnets which had been foster-birds. The Wild Geese were evidently 

 later than usual by one month to even six weeks, while the Swallows were 

 pretty early considering the cold season. — W. Wilson (Alford, Aberdeen). 



REPTILIA. 



The Cape Monitor. — In Mr. C. Haagner's remarks upon Varanus 

 albigularis [ante, p. 226), I think he must be confusing that reptile with 

 V. niloticus, as I have killed several of each species in the north-east of the 

 Transvaal, and never found V. albigularis near water, but always far away 

 from it, and invariably taking refuge in clefts of adjacent rocks. Moreover, 

 I have never met with one four feet in length. V. niloticus I have found 

 existing in quite large colonies on sunny banks near rivers, into which they 

 invariably plunge on being disturbed ; and I have never seen them, when 

 near water, take refuge in rocks. I have noticed them dive headlong from 

 banks quite twenty feet above the level of the water. I have by me several 

 skins of both species, some of V. niloticus measuring five feet in length ; 

 but those of V. albigularis, although when killed apparently covering bodies 

 of full-grown specimens, none of more than three feet in length. I may 

 say that I have carefully compared my skins with the Zoological Society's 

 living specimens of these two species. — Chas. H. J. Tanner (2, Cardigan 

 Mansions, Richmond, Surrey). 



PISCES. 



Notes from Great Yarmouth.— On Jan. 5th I saw a stunted Codling 

 (Gadus morrhua). Length, 14 in.; of this the head measured 5 in. Depthof 



