32 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
the age of the bird has nothing whatever to do with the coloration, 
except in regard to the intensity or modification of such, the predomi- 
nating pigments always remaining the same. This of course only 
applies to normal conditions, and not to those birds whose condition 
has become abnormal and produce varieties or freak eggs. Food, I 
am inclined to think, has a certain influence on the colours of eggs, 
but not in regard to the actual and set types. Climatic conditions I 
do not find influence in the smallest degree the normal and set types, 
eggs from the Continent being identical in every respect with those 
found of the same species in this country, though in size and shape 
they may differ, but only to an almost imperceptible degree. Why 
Mr. Mussel-White should think that the Cuckoo (C. canorus) should 
perpetuate the same type of eggs and not the Red-backed Shrike 
I cannot say, though fully endorsing all he says in regard to 
C. canorus ; of this I have in my series of Cuckoo’s eggs sufficient 
evidence which to my mind is conclusive. As wonderful as it is 
(taking into consideration the risks entailed in migration) that certain 
birds return to the same neighbourhood annually, it must be 
remembered that after all they are simply being guided by their 
hereditary natural instinct. — Percy F. Bunyarp (57, Kidderminster 
Road, Croydon). 
Great Grey Shrike near York.—A fine specimen of the Great Grey 
Shrike (Lantus excubitor) was caught by two birdcatchers when 
“setting” limed twigs for Linnets at Strensall, near York, on Noy. 
28th last. The Shrike, caught by the wing, struggled fiercely, and 
savagely bit at its captors, who, not knowing what the bird was, 
willingly disposed of it alive fora small sum. The purchaser kept it 
two days, endeavouring to get it to eat mice, which it readily killed 
but would not eat, and through lack of knowledge of Shrike’s food on 
the part of its possessor the bird died of starvation, the preserved 
remains being added to the collection of Mr. Harry Dale, of York.— 
Sypney H. Surrx (20, Park Crescent, York). 
Richard’s Pipit (Anthus richardi) in Ireland.—On Nov. 22nd last 
a birdeatcher brought me a live bird taken in his net the previous 
night at Lucan, Co. Dublin, whilst netting Sky-Larks. As the bird 
had the appearance of a large Pipit, I had little difficulty in recog- 
nizing it from the description in Saunders’s ‘Manual’ as a Richard’s 
Pipit. Some idea of its rarity in this country may be estimated by 
the fact that the supposed occurrence in Ireland was in 1824, and 
that was considered so doubtful that it was removed from the Irish list 
by Messrs. Ussher and Warren in their work on ‘ The Birds of Ireland.’ 
