I watched it for several minutes. This is unusually late for this species here. Also, on Nov. 8th, I saw a Tree-Pipit (Anthus trivialis) near Fairlight, Hastings. Numbers of Ring-Ouzels (Turdus torquatus) arrived here during the latter part of September and October, the last I saw being on Oct. 30th.—Michael J. Nicoll (10, Charles Road, St. Leonards).
Differences between immature Blue-headed and Yellow Wagtails.—In reference to Mr. Arnold's note on the above subject (ante, p. 24), I do not think that there is any way to tell with certainty the young of M. flava from M. raii. In really typical examples of the former the throat is almost pure white, whilst that part of the latter is buff or buffish yellow; but there are always intermediate specimens having the throat whitish buff, so that it is very difficult to distinguish M. flava from M. raii. To my mind, the colour of the head and back have nothing to do with it during the first autumn. The eye-stripe varies as much as the throat.—Michael J. Nicoll (10, Charles Road, St. Leonards).
Little Owl and Shore-Lark in Lincolnshire.—I have just seen a specimen of the Little Owl (Athene noctua), which is in the hands of Mr. Nash, a birdstuffer in this city. Mr. Nash informs me that the bird (a female) was shot at Coleby, a village a few miles from Lincoln, about Jan. 10th of the present year. As I have noticed one or two records of the occurrence of this species recently in England, it is possible there may have been a small arrival of immigrants; but I think it more likely that the example in question had either escaped from confinement, or had intentionally been liberated. On Jan. 9th last I saw three Shore-Larks (Otocorys alpestris) on the coast at Saltfleet. The birds were remarkably tame, and allowed me to approach within a few yards of them.—F.L. Blathwayt (Lincoln).
Gadwall in Merionethshire.—The Gadwall (Anas strepera) is such a rare bird in North Wales that the following instances of its occurrence seem worth placing on record. On Dec. 14th last a female Gadwall was shot at flight-time by A. Ephraim, the Ynysfor huntsman, on the marsh there, and was shown to me in the flesh. My friend Mr. E.B. Jones, of Ynysfor, informs me that he himself shot a fine male near the same place on Dec. 30th, 1890, during the severe frost then prevailing.—G.H. Caton Haigh.
Notes from Shetland.—Great Northern Diver (Colymbus glacialis). A few have been seen at intervals. One was recently shot in Yell: its stomach was said to contain 147 fish!
