OBITUARY. 
451 
weighs three ounces and three quarters, and measures in circumference seven 
inches and a quarter by six and a half.— Liverpool Standard. 
The Portland Veneer —Why this insect is called 
the Portland Veneer I am at a loss to know : whether from its having been 
taken there or from the Duchess of Portland. There is one in Mus. Bentley, 
taken at Coombe Wood, Surrey, by Mr. King, and I believe Sir P. Walker has 
one, taken by Mr. Neale, and there should be one in the British Museum, ex 
Mus. Port!. —J. C. Dale, Glanvilles Wootton, Dorsetshire., July 9, 1837. 
A Black Hare. —Early in the present month the Rev. Mr. Musters shot, in 
Annesley Park, near Nottingham, a Hare which was entirely black. This is 
considered a remarkable sporting incident.— Taunton Courier., Oct. 11. [We 
have noticed jet black Rabbits in great numbers on several occasions, but we think 
we never saw or heard of a black Hare. The latter species inclines, in its 
natural state, more to varieties of a light hue; and white, cream-coloured, or 
grey Hares have not unfrequently fallen under our observation, some of them 
being prettily marked.— Ed.] 
Engraving of the Common Kingfisher f Alcedo ispida.) —As far as regards 
shape, I am fully disposed to admit that the representation of the Kingfisher 
published in your last number (p. 387), is the best that has hitherto been pre¬ 
sented to the public. It surprises me, however, a little that so eminent an artist 
as Branston should still have given so “ dumpy” an appearance to the bird, a 
defect, I should think, which might easily have been obviated. I trust you will 
excuse my noticing so trivial a circumstance, as it may prove useful on future 
occasions.—J. B. Tatum, Lincoln, Oct. 13, 1837. [[Injustice to Mr. Branston, 
to our readers, and to ourselves, we have caused an impression of the figure of 
the Kingfisher to be struck off from the same block as before. This representa¬ 
tion—which will be found at the beginning of our present No.—will amply prove 
Mr. B. to have performed his part with his wonted success.—Mr. Tatum's note 
reached us at the eleventh hour, and could not therefore be inserted in the 
“ Chapter of Criticism.”— Ed.] 
OBITUARY. 
Joseph Sparshall, Esq., F.L.S., died, after a few days’ illness, April 15, 1837, 
at his residence in Norwich, aged 45. Though Entomology was his fort. Ornitho¬ 
logy, and the Zoology of the district, claimed no small share of his attention. At 
an early age he exhibited a fondness for collecting and observing the habits of the 
lower classes of animals, which increased with his maturer years. He was 
