8484 



Birds. 



in a few weeks, to be landed by Mr. Duffield, as a portion of fifteen hundred to arrive.' 

 These, as well as many of the deer and goats, are intended for ' some of the highest 

 mountains in Gipps Land.' From South Africa we are to have several of the most 

 valuable of the antelopes, of which the oryx and the koodoo are expected first; and 

 finally, says the lecturer, that finest of all African antelopes the eland, ' a species larger 

 than the largest ox, but with the most delicate and nutritious flesh, is to be the chief 

 object on which our resources will be expended to acclimatise it in the coming year.' 

 These are only a portion of the new and useful animals we owe or are to owe to the 

 Society ; and it will be allowed that they constitute a goodly list for one year." 



Iceland Falcon (Falco islandicus) in Shetland.— On the 18th of the present month 

 a bird of this species, in flying from the persecution of a flock of gulls and hooded 

 crows, passed sufficiently near for me to obtain a long though unsuccessful shot at it. 

 A wounded bird, probably the same individual, has siuce been seen in this neighbour- 

 hood. I also observed another, of much darker colour, dash across the garden a few 

 days ago. — Henry L. Saxby ; Bulla Sound, Shetland, February 28, 1863. 



Hen Harrier (Falco cyaneus) at Eastbourne. — A fine female hen harrier was shot 

 on Saturday, the 24th of January, on Mr. Boyes' farm, near Old Eastbourne, by a man 

 named George Baulcombe, who has brought it me for examination. Although females 

 are frequently seen, and several have passed through my hands, I never observed or 

 obtained an adult male in this locality. — John Dullon ; South Street, Eastbourne, 

 January 26, 1863. 



Shrike and Yellow hammer. — On the 25th of February one of my boys found a 

 yellowhammer impaled on a long and strong thorn in a quick-set hedge, the work, 

 doubtless, of the gray shrike, which I have seen here at this season on several occasions 

 — and boy-like removed it from the thorn, which was driven right through its breast. 

 But instead of taking it quite away he laid it on the hedge again, at a little distance 

 from the place of suspension. On his mentioning the occurrence to me I made two 

 or three remarks, which had the effect of causing him to look at the place again as he 

 passed. The bird was once more stuck upon the same thorn as before. Yesterday he 

 was there again, and the yellowhammer remained in statu quo. This is curious, as 

 seeming to show that the shrike remembered his pantry in the first instance, but has 

 since either forgotten or learnt to despise its contents.— J. C. Atkinson; Danby-in- 

 Cleveland, March 4, 1863. 



Occurrence of a White Redwing (Tuidus iliacus) in Norfolk. — When in Lynn 

 this forenoon I called in at the shop of a birdstuffer there, Mr. W. Wilson, who showed 

 me a very fine albino of the common redwing, which was shot lately in Norfolk, and 

 close to Lynn. It was very nearly white, with only here and there faint cream-coloured 

 markings, and in pretty good condition. — Henry E. Dresser ; February 24, 1863. 



The Blackbird (Turdus merula) Singing in February. — On the 27th of February 

 the blackbird here was in full song. I do not remember ever having heard it singing 

 here in any former year so soon by two or three weeks. — J. C. Atkinson ; Danby-in- 



Cleveland, March 4, 1863. 



Note on the Dartford Warbler. On the 16th of February I shot a fine specimen 



of the Dartford Warbler on Beeston Hill, Sussex, one of the South Down range of 



