Pied Flycatcher and other Birds in the Isle of Wight.—On the 30th April, when at Sea View, I was asked to identify a strange bird shot in the neighbourhood on the 28th. It proved to be a male Pied Flycatcher, in perfect plumage. This species is of rare occurrence here. Yarrell refers to a specimen shot in the island, and I believe one was killed near Freshwater a few years since. I was shown a Thick-kneed Plover, shot in the island on March 12th, 1876. Mr. Careless has had the following birds brought to him in the flesh, all killed in the island:—Crossbill (in January), Black-throated Diver (during the winter), Velvet Scoter, Great Black-backed Gull, Fulmar Petrel, Crested Lark, Short-eared Owl, Sheldrake, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (a rare visitant), also a Hooded Crow—seldom met with in the island.—Henry Hadfield (Ventnor, Isle of Wight).
[We should like to know something more about the Crested Lark. When, where, and by whom shot, and by whom identified? We have seen many a Sky Lark with a good crest fondly regarded by its owner as a veritable Crested Lark.—Ed.]
Singular Variety of the House Martin.—I have lately obtained from a birdstuffer at Worthing, in this county, a very beautiful variety of the House Martin, the whole of the quills of the wings and the bastard wings being of a pure white, while the rest of the plumage is of the usual colour. It is a bird of the year, and was shot near Worthing in the autumn of last year.—William Borrer (Cowfold, Sussex).
Spoonbills in Suffolk in June.—During the early part of June a flock of nine Spoonbills frequented the marshes adjoining the coast near Aldborough, and to the credit of the resident gunners,—who, I am glad to say, respect the Wild Fowl Protection Act,—they were allowed to remain unmolested. It is to be hoped that continued protection may beget sufficient confidence in these beautiful birds to induce them again to take up their quarters, as of old, in this country during the breeding season.—F. Kerry (Harwich).
Spoonbill near Ely.—A spoonbill has been seen in the neighbourhood of Ely for some days, but has now (July 9th) departed. I am glad to say it escaped the snare of the fowler.—H.M. Upcher (Feltwell).
Wings against Steam.—On July 13th there was a race from Dover to London between the continental mail express train and a carrier pigeon conveying a document of an urgent nature from the French police. The pigeon, which was bred by Messrs. Hartley and Sons, of Woolwich, and "homed" when a few weeks old to a building in Cannon-street, City, was of the best breed of homing pigeons, known as "Belgian voyageurs." The bird was tossed through the railway carriage window by a French official as the train moved from the Admiralty Pier, the wind being west and the atmosphere hazy, but with the sun shining. For upwards of a minute the
