Xll PREFACE. 



Lastly, the Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) has been killed in Scot- 

 land (Zool. 1501). Although my own opinion may perhaps differ 

 from that of some of my subscribers, I may be pardoned in express- 

 ing my opinion that the Spotted Eagle should be regarded as a 

 real addition to the list of British Birds ; the Belted Kingfisher 

 and Spine-tailed Swallow as voluntary visitors : and the Whidah- 

 bird, Weaver-bird, and Swan as probably stragglers from aviaries or 

 ponds. Another new Swallow was mentioned in the concluding 

 number for the year (Zool. 1550). This bird is probably a variety 

 of the common house-martin, differing materially in wanting the 

 usual white markings, and also as Mr. Yarrell has pointed out to me, 

 in the greater length of its wings, which exceeds by the eighth 

 of an inch any adult specimen which that gentleman possesses. 



The nest and eggs of Savi's Warbler (Salicaria luscinioides) are 

 first described in the present volume by Mr. Bond (Zool. 1212), 



The paper on the Birds of Norfolk, by Messrs. J. H. Gurney and 

 W. R. Fisher (Zool. 1300, &c.) is one, which I am compelled to 

 notice as everything that can be desired : equal care is exhibited 

 throughout, in discarding the erroneous and doubtful, and in ascer- 

 taining and preserving all that is true. 



Two Fishes, new to Britain, arc described; the Six-branchial or 

 Gray Shark {Notidanus griseus), by Mr. Couch (Zool. 1337), and 

 the Long-finned Tunny (Orcynus aid lotigd), by Mr. R. Q. Couch 

 (Zool. 1413). The last-named gentleman has also contributed the 

 most valuable and interesting record of the habits of fishes (Zool. 

 1400, &c.) that has ever been published. The accuracy and 

 sterling worth of the remarks of these two gentlemen cannot be 

 estimated too highly ; they tend to the great desideratum of making 

 us familiar with the inhabitants of the sea, that treasury of nature 

 which circumstances tend to seal hermetically against the majority 

 of her votaries. 



The past summer has been remarkably prolific in rare British 

 Insects, especially among the Sphingidae, and the ' Zoologist ' being 



