NOTES AND QUERTBS. 23 



and on the 29th of the same month there was a Jack Snipe on the marsh 

 above the mill-stream, also at Horn. This bird is not often met with in 

 the neighbourhood, though T have seen several in a day ; but it appears to 

 be less common now than in former years. A flock of from twenty to thirty 

 Golden Plover flew across the Exton and Stamford road, almost within 

 shot, on Dec. 18th. They were fired at by a gentleman who was standing 

 near with a gun, but seemed to pass uninjured, as none of them fell. The 

 Golden Plover appears to be a mere passer-by in this county, not resting or 

 residing for any length of time, though a few are occasionally found along 

 the Welland River, on the Northamptonshire border, and again near the 

 Ashwell and Whissendine brooks. Three Goldfinches were seen at 

 Shacklewell Hollow, near Empingham, on Dec. 19th, and in Tunneley 

 Wood on the following day, four Woodcocks rose almost 'simultaneously 

 out of one patch of briars. I have never before known so mauy cocks rise 

 so close together in any wood about here, where they are generally few in 

 number, and much scattered. The Goldfinch, though not very often 

 observed, is probably fairly common at times in this district. It is much 

 sought after by birdcatchers, both local and professional, some of whom 

 come from a considerable distance to obtain it. On Dec. '21st an immature 

 example of the Tufted Duck, a female, was obtained on the ponds in Exton 

 Park. Tke weather being very mild up to the end of the year but few 

 migratory ducks were procured. — Gainsborough (Exton Park, Oakham). 



Hybrid Mallard and Shoveller. — In the fourth edition of Yarrell's 

 1 British Birds ' it is stated that the Mallard is known to have interbred 

 with the following species : — Egyptian Goose, Shelldrake, Muscovy Duck, 

 American Dusky Duck, Wigeon, Pintail, and Teal. I may add, on the 

 authority of Mr. Mills, of Bisterne House, Ringwood, that in 1875 a 

 hybrid between the Mallard and Shoveller was shot upon his estate. It 

 had the broad bill of the latter, but in the coloration of its plumage more 

 nearly resembled the former.- G. B. Corbin (Ringwood, Hants). 



White-fronted Goose in Norfolk.— A specimen of the White-fronted 

 Goose was shot in the fen-district of Norfolk on November 23rd. It was a 

 solitary bird, and had settled to a gunner's decoy ducks. The cold weather 

 has probably caused a southward movement amongst the wildfowl, as it 

 has on all our winter visitors, which in this district, without exception, are 

 earlier and more numerous than they have been for years past.— A. Smith 

 (Nordelph, Downham Market, Norfolk). 



Uncommon Birds in Devon.— On the 12th September last a speci- 

 men of the Hoopoe was shot in a mangold-field near Exeter. It is not, 

 strictly speaking, a rare bird, as almost every year a few are met with in 

 the county, and it has been known to breed here. A Woodcock, with the 

 primary and secondary feathers of the wings pure white, was obtained near 



