Distribution of a private Collection.—The museum of the late J.R. Wallace, of Distington, was sold by auction on August 1st and following days. Mr. Wallace lived for many years in the Isle of Man, and several of his British birds were procured on that island. Lot 1145 included an immature Black-tailed Godwit, procured on the Isle of Man, and presented to Mr. Wallace by Dr. Hulme. Lot 1160 included a Grey Phalarope, in autumn dress, from Man. Lot 1188 included a Richardson's Skua from Langness Point. Lots 1210 and 1227 included female Smews from the Isle of Man. Lots 1229 and 1230 consisted of two pairs of Shovellers from the Isle of Man. Lot 1241 was a Whooper from the Isle of Man. Lot 1211 consisted of a Brent and a Bernacle Goose from the same. I also bought a Cornish Chough from the island. The rarest Cumbrian specimen was a well authenticated example (immature) of the Spoonbill. Another bird which I secured was a hybrid between the Hooded and Carrion Crows, killed at St. Bees. The three last named go to the Carlisle Museum. There was also a local Hoopoe, but it was much faded, and we have already two local specimens in the Carlisle Museum; so I did not bid for it. A fair specimen of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and some other good birds were bought for the Tring Museum.—H.A. Macpherson (Allonby Vicarage, Maryport).
AVICULTURAL NOTES.
Cape Scops Owl (Scops capensis) in Captivity.—I had the rare pleasure of observing one of these queer little Owls in captivity. It lived in a small cage for about a month. Its food consisted mainly of Rats, which were trapped, killed, and given him. It was astonishing what sized Rats the little Owl could devour. He would seize them with one foot, and tear off the flesh, leaving nothing but the head. Small mice were swallowed whole. He also ate small birds and raw beef occasionally. When approached he would erect his ears, blink and roll his eyes, half-spread the wings, and rock from side to side with a sort of circular motion, thus presenting a very comical appearance. If I stuck my finger into his cage, he would peck at it violently. He had still another method of showing his displeasure, or expressing his rage, by snapping his jaws together with a loud clacking noise. This little Owl only measured 6½ in. in length. Iris light golden yellow; feet and bill greyish black.—Alwin C. Haagner (Modderfontein, Transvaal).
[I kept a specimen of the Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo maculosus) for some years in captivity. I used at first to feed this bird largely on live Rats, which it attacked most courageously, and would sit on the body of its victim all day, though it always kept the Rat's head outside its feet both before and after death. After some months in captivity it lost its courage, and would not
