Retrospective Criticism, 729 



sale use of herself and family, she felt so indignant at even that 

 degree of extra-confinement, that she paid no regard to her 

 charge, but made incessant attempts to get into the other 

 parts of the enclosure : I therefore had no alternative but 

 removing the chicks to a mother of their own species. Another 

 year I am inclined to hope that, by secluding the male and 

 female before pairing time, I may succeed in rearing some of 

 their own young. — Thomas Allis, York, 27th of the Qth 

 month (June), 1832. 



The Grey Phalarope. (p. 282, 283. 379. 589.)— When Be- 

 wick compiled his British Birds, this species was deemed so 

 rare, that no more than four specimens were on record as 

 having been caught in the British islands. The Magazine of 

 Natural History contains proof, however, that this bird is 

 not so very rare as had been supposed ; and that at times it 

 is even abundant will appear from the following notes, in- 

 serted under the proper dates, in my journal. 



1829. — The grey phalarope is not uncommon in January : 

 but their manners make them seem rare. They never perch 

 on rocks or the sand ; but they alight on the water with faci- 

 lity, and stem a rapid tide with ease and rapidity. They may 

 be approached without difficulty, but carry off very much 

 shot. 



1830. Nov. 4. — • The grey phalarope here. Mr. C. Jack- 

 son of East Looe (who is well acquainted with the birds of 

 Cornwall, and from whom I have received much information 

 of a general kind, and of this species in particular) shot four 

 specimens. In their stomachs were maggots, taken from 

 swimming sea-weeds, and in one a few bits of coal. They dart 

 after a maggot as a wagtail after a fly, and will venture among 

 heavy waves with greater boldness and agility than a gull. 



1831. Oct. 21. — The grey phalarope now abounds all 

 along the coast, at least between Looe and Fowey. Out of 

 one flock of about fifty, nine were killed at two shots, and ten 

 in all. Mr. Jackson had at one time twenty-one specimens ; 

 and more might have been procured if the weather would 

 have allowed. It is probable that the stormy weather has 

 caused them to be accumulated on our coasts. The speci- 

 mens here noted varied in plumage very considerably ; and 

 even in the colour of the legs scarcely two wej'e alike. 

 In a few, the back scapular feathers and plumage beneath the 

 body so much resembled what is described as belonging to 

 the red phalarope, that Mr. Jackson was led to doubt whether 

 there be indeed any distinction between them. Marks suffi- 

 ciently distinctive have indeed been pointed out, in the differ- 

 ent »forms. of, the^ir bill and feet ; but as this has mostly been 



