nails missing, which would render it recognisable if met with anywhere. I have a good many of these birds on deposit at the Calcutta Zoological Gardens, and hope to have them forwarded shortly. Should it prove possible to liberate them on arrival, I will of course notify the fact of my having done so.—Frank Finn (c/o Zoological Society, 3, Hanover Square).
Habits of Alcedo ispida.—While fishing on the old river Kennet, at Theale, about five miles from Reading, on Aug. 7th, I had the pleasure of seeing a Kingfisher going in and out of its hole to feed its young; but the point of my writing is to mention that each time it came out it dived immediately into the stream, and then flew away. My only explanation of its conduct is that its plumage was more or less soiled from the dirty state of the passage to the nest, in which there were four young nearly ready to fly.—George W. Bradshaw (Reading).
An unrecorded Kite obtained in Huntingdonshire.—Recently I have been able to examine a Kite (Milvus ictinus) that, I am informed, was killed by a Mr. Ullet, of Higney Grange, near Holme, and given to a relation of his, a Mr. Norman, then living at Blunham Mill, in the adjoining county, Bedfordshire. At the back of the case it states: "Preserved by I. Wright, of Kimbolton." It was most probably stuffed in 1836, as at the back of the case a portion of newspaper is affixed bearing this date.—J. Steele-Elliott (Clent, Worcestershire).
Variety of the Shag.—A curious variety of Phalacrocorax graculus has been shot on Arran Island, Co. Galway, and sent to us for mounting. Instead of the ordinary dark green plumage of the back and wing-coverts, this specimen is pale buff-colour, shading into almost white at the extremity of the wing-coverts; back, tail, throat, and breast, beak, feet, and bare space around eyes ochreous brown; irides pale bluish grey. The bird was a female, and in excellent condition. Williams & Son (2 Dame Street, Dublin).
The Little Bittern in Cornwall.—On June 30th last a Little Bittern (Ardetta minuta), with a broken leg, was taken in a public resort at Lostwithiel, Cornwall, known as "The Parade," after being seen about the same spot for some days. It was in a very weak condition, and efforts to revive it having failed, the bird was preserved by a local taxidermist named Higgs, and very well set up. The sex was not noted by him, but the black crown, nape, and back indicate an adult male. The river Fowey encircles a great part of "The Parade," and is bordered by a good deal of marsh-land. The railway runs close to the river, many water-birds being maimed by flying against
