(p. 441), and I can well imagine his difficulty in obtaining a fair shot when the bird was flying amongst trees after being disturbed or alarmed. Of all our waders the Spotted Redshank is the only one that at all equals the Green Sandpiper in quickness of sight, while it surpasses it in wildness of flight, as any one who has followed either bird along the shore can testify.—Robert Warren (Moyview, Ballina, Co. Mayo).
Hoopoe in Ireland.—It may interest some of your readers to learn that a Hoopoe was shot by Mr. Martin, of Knox's Street, Sligo, some time in September, as it rose from amongst the bent in the sand-hills of Sligo Bay.—Id.
Spoonbills and Canada Geese in Suffolk.—Two Spoonbills, both males, were shot at Aldborough on the 27th June, presumed to be of the same flock as that mentioned by me in 'The Zoologist' for August last (p. 343). On the same day four Canada Geese were seen at Harwich; ou the day following one was sliot at xldborough, and a few days later one at FeHxstow. Is it probable that these are the same Geese that are recorded in 'The Zoologist' for July (p. 300), as having been seen by Mr. A.B. Brooke at Butterstone Loch? It is singular that there were four in each case.—F. Kerry (Harwich).
Scaup Duck at Scilly.—Although we have had no weather to bring wild-fowl down west, and have not heard of any but a few scattered ones of our commoner species, Mr. Smith sent over the other day, for preservation, a good adult female specimen of the Scaup Duck from Scilly. The Scaup is a rare visitor with us, and its occurrence is worth noting.—E.H. Rodd (Penzance, Nov. 3rd).
Death of Mr. Robert Swinhoe, F.R.S.—Our readers will hear with regret of the death, on October 28th, of Mr. Robert Swinhoe, F.R.S., late of Her Majesty's Consular Service in China. His name will be familiar to many as that of a naturalist who for several years past has devoted all his leisure time in investigating the Natural History, and more particularly the Ornithology, of China and parts of Japan, and in publishing through various channels the results of bis researches. His earliest publication on the subject appeared in 'The Zoologist' for 1858, in which volume will be found (p. 6222) an article entitled "Remarks on the Fauna of Amoy." In successive voluaies of this journal appeared other papers from his pen, ou the small Chinese Lark, Alauda cœlivox (1859, p. 6723), on the Wild Swans of China (1860, p. 61)23), and on the Birds of Amoy (1860, p. 7102). After this date his contributions to Ornithology appeared chiefly in 'The Ibis' and in the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' to both of which publications he became a frequent contributor. In 1803 he published, in the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' a "Catalogue of the Birds of China," and in the same journal his 'Revised Catalogue' appeared in 1871.
