Letters, Extracts from Correspondence, Notices, ^c. 235 



experience of other mornings, I have no doubt that they soon 

 followed the others. 



On cloudy mornings they are much more reluctant to leave 

 their roosting-places. In the daytime, if there be much wind, 

 they choose the more sheltered side of the rocks, where they may 

 be seen in flights of from forty to sixtj^, often poising themselves 

 against the breeze with head and tail depressed, the latter spread 

 fanwise and showing the beautiful white spots. On one windy, 

 stormy day I saw them flying about the streets of Mentone. I 

 was surprised to see them so far from their favourite rocks on 

 such a day. I do not believe that they ever go any distance inland 

 at this time of year. Martins have been frequently seen to the west 

 of the Bay of Mentone, about Cape Martin and Eoccabruna, but 

 I believe these to be another lot roosting at or near Cape Martin. 

 On this point, however, I cannot speak at all positively. These 

 birds are, I am told, sometimes seen in the winter at Nice, which 

 fact is mentioned by Dr. Bree in his ' Birds of Europe,^ being, 

 as far as 1 am aware, the only recorded instance of their having 

 been seen in winter in any part of Europe, with the exception of 

 Greece. I do not imagine that the number of the Martins 

 wintering in the neighbourhood of Mentone could be much 

 more than 150; certainly, I think, not under 100; but there 

 may be more than I know of. They retire to roost from 4 to 

 4.15 P.M., varying according to the state of the weather, and 

 observing much the same course of proceeding as in the morn- 

 ing, except that they seem to settle down into their places more 

 quickly. 



Yours, &c., 



M. Weston Moggridge. 



To the Editor of ' The Ibis.' 



Norwich, December 15, 1862. 

 Sir, — On the 17th of November I received an adult speci- 

 men of Leaches Petrel [Thalassidroma leachii), killed on the 

 previous day at Salthouse, near Cromer. On dissection it proved 

 to be a female, measuring in length 7| inches ; wing, from the 

 anterior bend to end of longest quill-feather, 6 inches; leg 

 1 inch ; middle toe and claw 1 inch. The stomach was filled with 



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