418 
RARE BIRDS KILLED IN THE WINTER OF 1837-8. 
the ridge of the upper mandible; the distal half blackish, abruptly defined. Cere 
and space around the eyes pale greenish yellow. Iris very pale yellow, almost 
yellowish-white. The legs and feet pale flesh-colour, with a tinge of yellow, 
the joints of the toes darker above; the tarsal joints, and especially beneath the 
toes, more distinctly yellow. The plumage is thoroughly mature, and most 
exquisitely delicate and beautiful; crest of considerable length ; though perhaps 
not quite so long as in some stuffed specimens which I have seen, still it is longer 
than usual, even among the adults.* 
I have information of a specimen of the Great Auk (Alca impennis) having 
been obtained last winter in Wexford Bay. Being in hyemal aspect, its cheeks, 
throat, and fore-neck are consequently white. It now adorns the collection of 
Dr. Birkett, of Waterford. 
The same gentleman has also an Irish specimen, it would appear, of Surma 
funerea. At least my informant so described the bird that I have little doubt of 
its being this species, and upon my shewing him Gould’s plates, of the European 
Owls, he immediately fixed upon it, and again, when I exhibited to him a skin. 
He was evidently too well acquainted with all the common species to have mis¬ 
taken one of these. 
Mr. Bartlett lately obtained a recent specimen of the Parrot Crossbill. Its 
length was 7| inches.; extent 12 inches. Mr. Yarrell will figure the sternum 
of this bird, together with that of the Common Crossbill, which latter has been 
tolerably plentiful in the eastern counties of England, and also in the north of 
Ireland, during the past winter. The Parrot Crossbill adverted to was sent from 
Holland. 
Another interesting continental bird recently purchased by the same industrious 
collector, is that beautiful little bantam of a Grouse, Tetrao bonasia. Two 
specimens of it were obtained, both of which had their crops and stomachs filled 
with Birch-catkins; hence (from the supposition that they feed on Hazel-catkins) 
has probably originated the name of Hazel Grouse, by which it is known to the 
poulterers. It rarely appears in the market, where it commands a rather high 
price, being esteemed a particular delicacy; its flesh is remarkably white, con¬ 
trasting in this respect with all its European relatives. 
* Since writing the above, I have examined this beautiful bird more minutely, when it appeared 
that the feathers of the crest were new, and not full-grown. It had only just acquired its final 
livery, and had still a few intermixed old feathers, characteristic of the second state^of plumage. 
Its anatomy presented all the usual characters of the Herons; it proved on dissection to be a 
male, and its stomach contained two small Newts and various water insects.?” At theAlivarication 
of the bronchi were placed two fatty glandular yesicles, the size of a^small pea, which possibly 
may be a seasonal development. All the Herons agree precisely with the Bittern in the 
conformation of the tracheal apparatus. 
