242 
MR. J. H. GURNEY ON THE TENDENCY IN BIRDS 
No. 5. In 1861 an example of Picu-s major , our Greater Spotted 
Woodpecker, obtained in Shetland, varied so as a little to resemble 
P. leuconotus , the White-backed Woodpecker, and was even figured 
as such in Gould’s ‘ Birds of Great Britain.’ 
No. G. In October, 1884, a Greater Spotted Woodpecker with 
a few scarlet feathers on its breast was obtained in Norfolk, clearly 
an approximation to the Algerian Woodpecker, P. numidicus. In 
the same way, probably, is to be explained the supposed occurrence 
of P. numidicus at Munster in Germany (Dresser’s ‘ Birds of 
Europe,’ vol. v. p. 34), unless we set them all down as hybrids ; but 
then, it is surprising that they did not also show indications of 
it in some other parts of their plumage. 
No. 7. In 1893, two or three Swallows, Hirundo rustica, 
were netted at Brighton, in which the dark metallic chest-band or 
pectoral collar was considerably mixed with red, thus bearing an 
intimate resemblance to H. gutiuralis of Asia, but to that species 
Messrs. Sharpe and Wyatt declined to assign them. 
No. 8. Sparrows, Passer domesticus, have been now and then 
netted in Norfolk, and probably elsewhere, with an excess of 
chestnut colouring on the ear-coverts and occiput, a very little 
extension of which would convert these examples into the Italian 
P. italice. This excess of chestnut pigment in the feathers, reminds 
one of some Partridges Avith the entire breast and most of the 
back of that hue, which made their appearance in different coveys 
near Dereham, in Norfolk, in December, 18QG, an erethryism 
which long ago received the name of Perdix montanus, bearing 
a superficial resemblance to an old cock Grouse. 
No. 9. Last autumn I received from Mr. Brazenor, of Brighton, 
a Linnet, Acanfhis cannabina (which had been netted in the 
vicinity), Avith the beautiful purple back of a Twite, A. flavirnstris, 
either resemblance or hybridism, but anyhow a strange bird. 
No. 10. Some time ago Mr. Brazenor also sent a Greenfinch 
flushed with the dark bay Chaffinch’s tint, forwarding another at 
the same time to the Tring Museum, Avliere it came under 
the notice of Mr. Hartert, Avho thought the colour might have 
been artificially produced, but there were no signs of captivity 
Avhatever. 
No. 11. Common Crossbills have been shot in the British Isles 
occasionally, and elscAvliere, Avhich simulated the Two-barred 
