576 Birds. 



sions in those months, though how often, or at what precise period, it is impossible to 

 say from memory after the lapse of many years. During a long continuance of severe 

 weather, the water rail will suffer greatly, and doubtless perish ; but the same happens 

 to the water hen : therefore this circumstance proves nothing as to the unfitness of the 

 former to endure the winter of our climate. Some years ago, my informant believed 

 in the spring, but could not recollect the precise period, a water rail was discovered, in 

 a very exhausted condition in a garden of this village, so that the bird was probably on 

 its passage, in what direction it is impossible to say, though it must apparently have 

 been to this country. — Arthur Hussey ; Rotting dean, Sussex. 



Note on the Food of the Snipe tribe. The food of woodcocks and snipes is still, I 

 believe, considered doubtful. From the experience of many years I can assert that 

 during severe weather these boring birds always resort to springy spots, particularly to 

 the vents from strong springs, which remain moist notwithstanding the sharpest frost, 

 though they are not usually driven to these places until the ground is covered with 

 snow. From a ditch of this kind I once killed a snipe, which, when I picked it up, 

 still retained a small worm in its beak. If the frost lasted long, the birds would dis- 

 appear even from such situations ; and I have known both woodcocks and snipes to 

 quit the country entirely (as far as I could judge) previous to a long winter, though 

 not either the longest or the most severe I remember to have experienced. White, in 

 his 'Natural History of Selborne ' (Letter 33), remarking on the fact that "long-billed 

 birds grow fatter in moderate frosts," says, this " appears to him to arise altogether 

 from the gentle check, which the cold throws upon insensible perspiration." From si- 

 milar circumstances, which he proceeds to mention, this cause most probably has some 

 influence ; but I would suggest whether a co-operating cause may not be, that the 

 birds have not so much difficulty, as in open weather, in finding their food, which they 

 procure in the warm ditches, without the necessity of rambling to a distance ? I can 

 speak from my own knowledge of the common members of the Scolopax tribe, as also 

 fieldfares &c, being in excellent condition in the early part of a frost, but if it lasts 

 long they become very lean. When snipes and woodcocks are fresh killed the tip of the 

 upper mandible is moist and smooth, but when that part has become dry, it appears 

 rough : does that indicate, or is it connected with, great sensibility in that member, 

 enabling the bird to discern its food on probing the ground with its long beak ? — Id. 



Note on the occcurrence of the Red-crested Whistling Duck in Norfolk. On the 

 12th of January last a specimen of the red-crested whistling duck (Fuligula rufina) 

 was shot on Horsea-mere, in Norfolk. Mr. Rising, of that place, in whose possession 

 the bird now is, informs me that it was killed rather early in the morning, and that it 

 was quite alone and extremely tame. This specimen was a male bird, in the fullest 

 adult plumage, and when newly killed was as beautiful a bird as I have often seen. 

 The beak was of a most splendid vermilion red color, — the nail of the beak being also 

 red, but paler than the rest. The colouring of the beak began to fade soon after the 

 bird was mounted, as also did another beauty, which was apparent when the bird was 

 first killed, and which consisted of a wonderfully elegant tinge of rose-color which per- 

 vaded the whole of the white parts of the plumage, especially the two large patches on 

 the back above the shoulders. The colouring of the other parts of the bird (which ap- 

 pears to be of a more permanent character) agrees very well with the usual descriptions 

 of this species in the adult male plumage. — /. H. Gurney ; Norwich. 



Note on the occurrence of the Red-throated Diver and Red-necked Grebe near Derby. 

 A specimen of each of these rare birds was lately shot on the Dervvent, near Derby : 



