26 



THE NATURALIST. 



side of the face commencing at tlie nose, runs a definitely marked line of dark 

 broAvn, whiclL includes the eye and ear in its course, and terminates at the 

 neck — the upper and under jaw and cheeks are also cream white. The singular 

 distribution of the markings of the head and face gives it a unique, quaint, 

 and venerable expression, and conduces not a little to render him a favourite 

 with all those who view him apart from the unfavourable associations too 

 often connected with him. The usual length of the badger is about 2 feet 8 

 inches, but I have met with them longer than this. The weight of a full- 

 grown animal in good condition will exceed 301bs. 



Alnwick^ April, 1865. 



ISTOTES ON THE OENITHOLOGY OF NOEFOLK. 



By T. E. Gunn. 

 VAEIETIES. 



Buzzard. About the 20th of January last, a variety of Falco huteo 

 was purchased in our market ; the whole of its plumage was of a uniform 

 dark chocolate, inclining to a lighter hue on its under part. 



Blackbird. A nice female variety was killed at Hockering on the 6th 

 ult. The crown of its head, cheeks, and all the surface of its back and wing 

 coverts were of a dull ash grey, the feathers of the latter slightly margined 

 with a faint reddish tint ; upper surface of its wings and tail white, throat 

 and chest of a pale reddish tinge, a narow dark ash-coloured stripe running 

 down the centre of each feather ; abdomen, flanks and vent, white, faintly 

 tinged with pale ash ; under surface of its wing and tail feathers of a pale 

 ash grey ; under wing-coverts white ; iris light brown ; beak and legs, 

 corresponding with the colour of its plumage being much lighter in hue than 

 usual. Its stomach contained worms, earwigs, and likewise a few small 

 fibrous roots. 



EoBiN. January 31st, I saw a curious variety of ^S^/r^i^^'a ruhecula in 

 the hands of one of our birdstuffers. It was obtained a day or two previous 

 at Eollesby. The surface of its head, neck, back, and upper wing coverts 

 was of a dull yellow ; its red throat and breast much paler than in ordinary 

 specimens ; upper surface of wings and tail of a pale yellow, gradually inclin- 

 ing to white at the tips of the quill feathers ; the shafts of the same also 



