A MONTH ON THE EDDYSTONE 299 



probably crustaceans, which must have been very 

 abundant, judging from the lively actions of the Phala- 

 ropes in picking round in all directions with the greatest 

 rapidity. They were restless, too, and constantly 

 changed their quarters by a series of flights to try fresh 

 areas near at hand, often, however, to return in a few 

 moments to spots which they had just previously quitted. 

 While thus engaged they frequently approached the 

 edge of the reefs and did not seem to mind the buffeting 

 they encountered amid the broken water ; now and then 

 a shower of spray would cause them to rise on the wing, 

 but, nothing daunted, they alighted again on the water 

 as soon as the disturbance had passed. 



On 29th September a small flock of Ringed Plovers 

 passed the lighthouse, flying rapidly due south, and 

 evidently bent on crossing the Channel. 



The Purple Sandpiper visits the reefs in the late 

 autumn and winter, to search for food during low water, 

 returning to the mainland at high tide, when its haunts 

 are submerged. The first bird of the season was seen 

 on nth October, and as many as four were seen from 

 that date onwards. A single Turnstone visited the rocks 

 on 30th September — an immature specimen. 



A number of migratory marine birds also came 

 under observation. Foremost among these in point of 

 rarity was an example of Sabine's Gull, seen near the 

 tower on the morning of 29th September. This bird 

 was in an interesting stage of plumage, being an adult 

 assuming winter dress. It was most accommodating in 

 its behaviour, since it frequently rose and displayed its 

 deeply forked and entirely white tail, and those conspicu- 

 ous bands of white which cross the pinions — features 

 which render this species both remarkable and unmistak- 



