Occurrences of Rare Birds 23 



birds, using what they are made to disgorge. I spent a 

 most agreeable half-hour in September watching the 

 manoeuvres of this bird in its method of prey-seeking. 

 Its rapid, darting flight was most noticeable, and its 

 general method of attack proved most interesting. It is 

 not of the diving species, as has been affirmed by some 

 writers, no gulls are. 



The Scaup (pochard) may be seen at any time during 

 the winter months, in various places on the coast, and the 

 red-headed scaup is also seen here, but rarely. These 

 birds are known locally by the term " covey." 



The Snow-Bunting may be singled out as an exceed- 

 ingly rare visitor, save in hard winters, though it occurs 

 all along the Yorkshire coast. Several were discovered 

 during the snowy weather in early February, a" 909, 

 and then they appeared tame. They usually are common 

 in the British Isles in November. 



Not less rare is the Great Grey Shrike, a casual winter 

 visitant, whilst the Spoonbill ranks neaily as rare. 



The Arctic and Sandwich Terns may be seen all the 

 summei, for they make Fames their breeding ground. 

 The Roseate Tern is represented by just a couple of pairs 

 on the Knoxes, Fame Islands, during the period of in- 

 cubation. 



The Razor-Bill, known locally also by the name of 

 " Willick " among the natives (who probably confound 

 this bird with the spoonbill when seen on the wing), has 

 been seen and captured many times. 



The Puffin, or sea-parrot, called also ' ' Tommy Noddy " 

 — which is probably a corruption of the Scotch, ' ' Tammy 

 Norrie " — is very common, and may be descried in com- 

 pany with the Guillemots, both of which breed on the 

 friendly Fames, Bass Rock, and especially St. Kilda. 



Neither of these make nests. The former usually 

 selects a rabbit burrow, and lays the eggs on the bare 

 ground, some ten or twelve inches from the surface, and 

 woe to the inquisitive person who essays to thrust his 

 hand into the hole, for a decisive peck will instantly be 

 meted out as a punishment. 



Of the Scoter family of ducks, both the common and 



