(if we add the marks of diaeresis over the second vowel) is the only right one, in view of the meaning he intended to convey.—Henry T. Wharton.
Golden Oriole in Cornwall in the Winter.—I am not aware that there is any record of the Golden Oriole having heen observed in the British Isles during the winter months. I think, however, although I have not seen the specimen myself, that I may mention the fact of one having been observed at Tehidy Park, near Redruth, the residence of G. L. Basset, Esq., a few weeks since, on the authority of Mrs. Basset, who informed me yesterday that a gentleman who was on a visit at Tehidy told her that he had seen in the plantations what he knew to be a Golden Oriole, in full brilliant plumage, and that it could not be mistaken by any one who knew and had seen the bird before.—Edward Hearle Rodd (Penzance).
[It is possible that the Green Woodpecker may have been mistaken for it.— Ed.]
Pied Water Rail in Ireland.—Mr. Ripley, the birdstuffer, of Feasegate, York, has received for preservation a pied specimen of the Water Rail which was shot in Ireland on the 7th January last. There is a good deal of white on the back, as well as on the upper part of the neck and head, but very little on the breast. The tertial feathers are almost pure white. This species, I think, is not so subject as many birds are to variation of plumage, and the specimen referred to therefore seems noteworthy. While I am writing, I may add that Mr. Ripley has also received for preservation a Merlin and a Bittern, both shot in December in the county of York, the former near Wetherby, the latter near Castle Howard.—James Backhouse, Jun. (West Bank, York).
Young Ring Doves in February.—On the 1st February I shot four young Ring Doves, Columba palumbus, at Sparham. Three of these were very young, and one retained the long downy (nestling?) filaments on one feather in each of the upper wing-coverts. This strikes me as being somewhat unusual and noteworthy.—Frank Norgate (Sparham, Norwich).
White Jay and Pied Lapwing near York.—A perfectly white Jay was shot at Dunnington, near York, during the harvest of last year, while feeding on the top of a sheaf of corn. Also a fine pied specimen of the Lapwing was shot at Cottingworth, near York, in the autumn of last year. Both specimens are now in my collection.—C.H. Sharp (York).
Curious Death of a Kingfisher.—On the 7th of February I picked up a Kingfisher by the side of a small brook, having a "Miller's-thumb," Cottus gobio, firmly fixed in its throat, by means of the long dorsal fins. The fish had, of course, been swallowed head-foremost, and it was with
