This is the first reported occurrence of the species in East Lothian for many years.— C.E.S. Chambers (239, High Street, Edinburgh).
[Mr. Robert Gray, in his 'Birds of the West of Scotland,' p. 500, says, "On the eastern shores of Scotland the Fulmar ranks only as a straggling winter visitant. In East Lothian it is occasionally found in December and January. I have seen specimens that were cast up dead ou the beach near Dunbar."— Ed.]
Red-backed Shrike in Ireland.— A male specimen of the Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio, came into my possession on the 12th August last. It was shot on the 10th of that month at a glen near Castlereagh, Co. Down, about three miles from Belfast. It was said to have been one of a party of five or six. The contents of the gizzard were common horse-beetles. I have no record of any Irish-killed specimen before this. — Thomas Darragh (Belfast Museum).
[So far as we are aware, this is the first recorded instance of the occurrence of the Red-backed Shrike in Ireland. — Ed.]
The Egg of Owen's Apteryx. — I should be obliged if any of your readers would refer me to recorded or other specimens in Museums or private collections of the egg of the small South Island Apteryx of New Zealand, Apteryx Owenii. — J.A. Harvie Brown (Dunipace House, Larbert, N. B.)
Wryneck in Perthshire.— On the 6th September I had a specimen of the Wryneck brought to me by a lad who caught it on the bank of the Caledonian Railway near here. It was an adult bird and in good condition, having evidently feasted on ants previous to being taken. I have it preserved and in my collection. This is, so far as I can leam, its first appearance in this county. — Thomas Marshall (Stanley, near Perth).
A Hen Swimming. — A hen, the property of Mr. A. Crush, of Mount- nessing Hall, Essex, in its anxiety for the safety of a brood of young ducks which it had hatched, has successfully mastered the art of swimming, and may be seen floating about with the ducklings on the pond near the house, apparently quite at home. — F. Kerry (Harwich).
Sabine's Gull in Ireland. — A very perfect specimen of this rare gull was shot on the coast of Donegal, on the 19th September, and has been forwarded to us for preservation. It is in an immature stage of plumage — evidently a bird of the year.— Williams & Son (Dame Street, Dublin).
Early Arrival of the Snow Bunting. — Two old male Snow Buntings, shot on the 21st September, have been sent to us from Dingle, Co. Kerry; another was seen at Malahide, Co. Dublin, on the 29th. — Id.
