22 MB EMBLETON*8 NOTICE OF THE SMOOTH GURNARD. 



bottom of the cliff, we observed a flock of green cormorants (Phalacro- 

 corax cristatus) busily engaged in prinning and drying their feathers. 

 These individuals seemed conscious of the safe and unapproachable station 

 they had selected for repose after the exertion of fishing, as they listened 

 with apparent unconcern, and without shewing any alarm, to the report 

 of our fowling-piece, which was fired off upon the cliff immediately above 

 them. Upon the ledges of the precipices north of the Head, and upon 

 the Head itself, the guillemots were perched in great numbers, the fe- 

 males closely pressed together and incubating. Numerous pairs of razor- 

 bills were also conspicuous : these generally select stations a little higher 

 than the guillemots, and keep in distinct pairs, and are easily recognised, 

 even at a considerable distance, by the form of their head and bill, and 

 the superior blackness of their upper plumage. Several rock-pigeons 

 (Columba livid) were also seen upon wing, but, unfortunately, none jcame 

 within range of shot. 



Upon the stony hills round Coldingham Lough and the Head, the 

 smart and prettily marked wheatear (Saxicola CEnathe) were seen flit- 

 ting from knoll to knoll, and, like its congeners, always alighting on the 

 highest elevation. The whin and stone chats (Saxicola Rubetra, S. 

 Rubicola) were also observed where whin or furze prevailed ; and, in 

 similar situations, the mellow call-note of the grey linnet (Linnaria 

 cannabina) was repeatedly heard. I may also notice the common occur- 

 rence of the rock-pipit (Anthus vquaticus) upon the rocks of the coast ; 

 and the escape of a large brood of the diminutive wren ( Troglodytes eu- 

 ropceus) from their nest, from the face of one of the highest precipices of 

 the cliff. 



Notice of the Trigla Icevis or Smooth Gurnard. By Mr E. EMBLETON, 

 Surgeon. (Read- 10th April 1833). 



ON the 5th of April inst., a very fine specimen of this fish ( Trigla 

 Icevis, Flem. Br. An. p. 215), was cast ashore at Newton by the sea, 

 after a severe storm from the south-east. It is found in great abundance 

 on the coast of Devonshire and Cornwall, but is a very rare visitant so 

 far to the north-east ; and this specimen is the only one which has been 

 seen by the fishermen in this neighbourhood, so far as I can learn. It 

 differed, however, in some points, from the description given by Dr Fle- 

 ming, and seemed to me to hold an intermediate place between the Tri- 

 gla l&vis and T. hirundo of that author. Its extreme length was 23j 

 inches. From the origin of the pectorals to the anal-aperture 4J inches, 

 whilst the pectorals extended rather more than half an inch beyond it. 

 Breadth of the pectorals 3J inches : circumference of the body imme- 

 diately at their base, 10 inches. The first dorsal fin had only 8 spines 



