MU. W. II. mUWKLL OX SOME 013.S0LETE OlSllES. 
587 
it as his opinion that it is a inelanlslic variety of the Missel llirnsh, 
as also determined hy Mr. Seebohin. 
^Ir. (liirney also say.'*, that last February, Mr. I’ycraft of 
Yarmoutli showed him a Thrush M’hich had got an almost black 
breast in confinement. The late Henry Doubleday of Kpping had 
in conlinement a Itedwing, which turnetl perfectly black on 
moulting in the autumn of 1831. 
IMr. J. "Wliitaker of Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield, Avrite.s 
(‘Zoologist,’ 1882, p. 151) that, on January 1st, 1881, a bird, 
supposed to bo a Redwing, in a very curious i>lumage, was caught 
at Reeston, Notts. It was chielly of a dark chocolate colour with 
black markings. 
Mr. .loseph t'l.'irkc also informs me that on April 28th, 1832, 
a Fieldfare in very dark idumage occurred at Debdcn near Saffron 
Walden. 
IV. 
SOME ORSOLKTK DISHES. 
Rv ^1 r. W. 11. Riuwell, Hox. Sec. 
Read 30/// October, 1S88. 
It may seem that the cuisine of the middle ages can have little to 
ilo with Xatural History, but ive know that the household books of 
Lrreat houses have furnished valuable information as to the fauna 
of the country at the time when they were written, and we shall 
lind much to interest us in considering the manners of the middle 
ages with regard to food and to medicine. 
Our forefathei’s, for the sake of variety and economy, included in 
their list of birds for the table many which are seldom eaten now, 
and not only did the rich thus store their larder with wild birds 
brought in by servants and tenants, but many an honest yeoman, 
like Sir Roger do Coverley'.s friend, would knock down a dinner 
with his gun twice or thrice a week, and by that means live much 
cheaper. Many strange dishes, whether of fowl or fish, were doubt- 
le.s.s served at grand banquets simply to lengthen the menu, whilst 
Q 0 
vor.. IV. 
