8330 



Birds. 



purple heron was shot on Hoveton Broad. This bird was extremely fat, hoth inter- 

 nally and externally, and was, I believe, a young female, there being- no perceptible 

 indications of sexual distinctions. I found the remains of two good-sized roach in the 

 stomach, one at least five inches long. — Henri/ Stevenson; Norivich. 



The White Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) near Plymouth. — On the 3rd of this 

 month three white spoonbills were killed at one shot, out of a flock of four, on the 

 banks of the St. Germain's River, in the vicinity of Plymouth. They were all young 

 birds of the year, and two of them are now in the possession of Mr. F. C. Hingston, 

 who has prepared them for his fine collection of British birds. The third was too 

 much shattered to be preserved. — John Gatcombe ; Plymouth, November 15, 1862. 



Blacktailed Godwit (Limosa melanura) at Yarmouth. — On the 4th of September 

 a pair of blacktailed godwits, in immature plumage, were killed at Yarmouth. — Henry 

 Stevenson ; Norwich. 



Occurrence of the Solitary Snipe near Leeds. — Since my last communication (Zool. 

 8196) the solitary snipe has been seen in this county several times. On the 18th of 

 September my brothers saw two near my father's house (Hornby Grange, Great 

 Smeaton) ; the next day another, or probably one of the same two, was seen by a man 

 fishing in the same neighbourhood. About the middle of last month my brother saw 

 another of these birds, and last week I myself, while pike-fishing there, flushed 

 another. I may also add that my brother killed (at Hornby), on the 22nd or 23rd of 

 September, a very fine specimen of the green sandpiper. — W. Christy Horsfall ; 

 Horsforth Low Hall, near Leeds, November 8, 1862. 



The Little Crake (Gallinula pusilla) in Pevensey Marshes, — A specimen of the 

 little crake was caught in Pevensey Marshes about March last. It is in the possession 

 of a mechanic here, who showed it to me in the flesh. — John Dutton ; South Street, 

 Eastbourne. 



The Spotted Crake (Gallinula porzana) in Pevensey Marshes. — A specimen of the 

 spotted crake has been lately shot in Pevensey Marshes, where they are not uncom- 

 mon. It is now in my collection. — Id. 



Occurrence of the Spotted Crake near Cambridge. — During October I had several 

 examples sent me of this elegant species, and have been fortunate enough to see 

 four or five others in the game-shops, besides specimens which had become the pro- 

 perty of the various fen gunners. These men generally bring me anything they con- 

 sider curious : they are, as a body, an intelligent class, and many reliable facts 

 relative to the migration of the wild fowl, &c, may be gained from them. The 

 spotted crake has been much more numerous this season than is its wont. I have 

 noticed that their appearance has been as near as possible in a straight line through 

 the north-eastern portions of this county (Cambridgeshire), and extending their line of 

 appearance in the same direction through the adjacent counties of Huntingdon and 

 Northamptonshire, and, I have no doubt, as far as the sea. It is a curious fact, but I 

 am persuaded of its truth, from the experience of some years of careful observation, 

 that various migrants — such, for example, as the hoopoe, grosbeak, rosecoloured pastor, 

 &c. — have a peculiar trait of choosing a straight line, direct from the sea, through 

 various counties. I have invariably found it to be so in the instance of the spotted 

 crakes under consideration ; not one has been shot or seen except in the straight line, 

 as mentioned. The plumage of this species appears to become lighter, or rather 

 darker, in its winter dress than in summer, and its legs and beak are also visibly 

 darker in tone than those of summer. — S. P. Saville ; Cambridge, November 7, 1862. 



