latter having been obtained in parishes only five miles apart— that 
the same birds were the parents in both cases. It would be quite 
impossible to reconcile the theory of an hereditary variety with the 
moult theory. 
In the following list, I have prefixed a dagger (f) to those I have 
examined. Should any one who reads these pages happen to know 
of any other specimens, I should be very glad to be informed 
of them. 
1 . 
2. 
t3. 
? 
? 
t4. 
f 5. 
f 6. 
7- 
1-8. 
to. 
tio. 
til. 
^ 12 . 
Whittlesford, Cambridgesliire. Seen in the flesh many years ago, 
by Mr. F. Bond, but not preserved. 
Braniford, Suff'olk. December, 1847- ‘ Zoologist,’ p. 2067. 
Biickenham, Norfolk. November, 1857- In the Cambndge 
Museum. Formerly in Professor Newton’s possession, ilus 
is the specimen I have figured. 
Burston, Norfolk. ) Possibly identical with two of the others. 
) FifZe ‘ Birds of Norfolk’ {l.c.). 
Ludham, Norfolk. In the Norwich Museum. This is smaller 
than the other specimens, whicli are all the size of an ordinary 
IMoorhen. 
Yarmouth, Norfolk. In tlie Saftron Walden Museum. This 
specimen is now much faded. 
$ , Norwich. March, 1863. In Mr. II. Stevenson’s collection. 
Blackwater, Hampshire. ? I860. The same mentioned by 
Mr. Stevenson as having been sent to Reading to be stutted 
(I.C.). In the collection of Mr. F. Bond. 
Plumpton, near Brighton. November, 1878. In Sir John Crewe’s 
collection. This is the lightest I have seen, the undei-parts 
being quite white, and the back a bright orange-red ; and the 
texture of its plumage is the most hairlike. 
Nottinghamshire. 1880. In Mr. J. Whitaker’s collection I 
mndLtand that a figure of it is to appear m Moseley s 
‘ British Birds,’ now publishing. 
Isfield, Sussex. ? March, 1883. In the possession of Colonel 
King. 
i Norwich. April, 1883. T. E. Gunn, ‘ Zoologist,’ 1884, p 8. 
This is the darkest and the nearest to the normal Moorhen 
both in colour and texture. It was exhibited at a meeting 
of the Linnean Society, March 6th, 1884. 
Athlone, Ireland. November, 1883. 
