Birds. 455 



thious bird, heavier and more sluggish than the ostrich. By means of specimens 

 afterwards transmitted by the Rev. Wm. Williams to Dr. Buckland, Prof. Owen was 

 enabled to define, in the Proceedings for January, 1843, the characters of the Dei- 

 nornis, as afforded by the bones of the hinder extremity. On a second and more ex- 

 tensive collection sent by Mr. Williams, to which have been added three additional 

 bones, confided to Prof. Owen by Dr. Richardson of Haslar, the author of the paper 

 establishes five distinct species, differing much in size, and, to a considerable degree, 

 in their proportions. The largest of these the Professor estimates to have been about 

 ten feet in height, and the smallest about equal in bulk to the common bustard ; the 

 three others were of intermediate sizes, and from resemblances in size or proportions 

 to other species of Struthionidae, have respectively been named by Prof. Owen, Deinor- 

 nis struthioides, D. didiformis and D. dromaeoides. To the largest species the specific 

 name giganteus is applied, and to the smallest that of otidiformis. Fifty bones, in- 

 cluding five pelves more or less perfect, five vertebrae, eighteen femora, eleven tibiae, 

 six tarso-metatarsi and five phalanges are carefully described in the paper, and refer- 

 red to one or the other of the five species. The bones alluded to in the paper were 

 laid before the members, together with diagrams in illustration of the subject. Some 

 recent bones of the ostrich were also exhibited, upon which the Professor pointed out 

 the differences indicative of the young and adult states of that bird ; and he after- 

 wards called attention to similar differences in certain bones of Deinornis. The spe- 

 cies of Deinornis, there can be little doubt, possessed only very rudimentary wings. — 

 G. R. W. 



Note on the occurrence of the Spoonbill at Lynn. The north-west winds which blew 

 about the 23rd of 9th month last, brought over a spoonbill, which was shot. — Daniel 

 C. Burlingham ; Lynn, 1st of llth Mo., 1843. 



Note on the occurrence of the Scoter, near Farnham. A specimen of this rare duck 

 was shot on a pond near the canal on the 2nd of November : it has very rarely been 

 seen in this neighbourhood, indeed it is far inland for it to come. — T. Mansell; Farn- 

 ham, November 3, 1843. 



Note on the Black-headed Gull. I have much pleasure in confirming Mr. Jerdon's 

 remarks (Zool. 246), as to the insectivorous habits of the black-headed gull (Larus ri- 

 dibundus). In the warm summer evenings of June and July, they may be seen in 

 great numbers hawking for moths in the fields and meadows ; and I have frequently 

 heard their cry above head at all hours of the night, when they were returning from 

 their feeding-grounds. They may also, as Mr. Jerdon remarks, be seen wheeling 

 around trees, picking up the moths. They prefer, however, meadow ground by a ri- 

 ver's side for this purpose, because there the ghost moth (Hepialus Humuli) is found 

 in greatest plenty. It is amusing to see a number of gulls all engaged at the same 

 time in the pursuit of the ghost moth, which, from its hovering manner of flight, is ea- 

 sily captured. It is rather a singular circumstance that the nocturnal Lepidoptera 

 should form, during the breeding season, a considerable proportion of the ordinary food 

 of a natatorial bird. — Wm. Brown ; Dunse, November 13, 1843. 



Note on the change of Plumage in the Northern Diver. An adult specimen of the 

 northern diver {Colymbus glacialis) was picked up dead, after some stormy weather last 

 November, on the beach between Penzance and Marazion. Upon dissection there 

 was found in its intestines, near the vent, a calculus larger than a duck's egg, and of 

 the weight, when nearly dry, of 3£ ounces, which, upon fracture, exhibited an appear- 

 ance as if it had been deposited in successive layers or strata : this, no doubt, had some 



