402 Mr. H. Durnford on Xorth-Frisian Ornithology. 



its dark lead-coloured legs. Whilst approaching their nesting- 

 ground we were greeted with harsh and noisy screams. Their 

 note is not unlike that of -S. fluviatilis, but louder and more 

 powerful. When they have young they are said to be ex- 

 tremely bold j and the farmer told us that when^ on one occa- 

 siouj he was visiting them with some friends, a bird took irova 

 a ladr's hand a pocket-handkerchief which she was waving 

 over her head. 



Larus cancs. 



We saw a few Common Gulls on Sylt amongst the Herring- 

 Gulls, and also on Amrum, but found no nests, though they 

 doubtless breed on the dunes. 



Larus AROEN'TAirs. Frisice '^ Mien.'^ 



Abundant on Sylt, nesting on the dunes, and on Sudfall, 

 in the marsh surrounding the shepherd's house. A few on 

 Amrum. Some years ago, before the passing of the law pro- 

 hibiting the taking of eggs by any one, the farmer who owns 

 the northern portion of Sylt made a point of protecting them ; 

 and he assured us he used then to have from forty to fifty 

 thousand gathered during the season, always, however, allow- 

 ing them to sit after the 14th June ; but now everybody who 

 cares to run the risk of being fined takes them, and they still 

 form a large proportion of the food of the natives. The ex- 

 traordinary numbers of these birds on Sudfall must be seen 

 to be appreciated ; their nests are large structures of sea- weed 

 and coarse grass, and are placed in close proximity to each 

 other ; they are most numerous at the east end of the island, 

 but are also found on the north and west shore. Whilst 

 staying at the shepherd's house their eggs were provided for 

 us at every meal. 



AssER BERNicLA. Frisicc '' Goos,'^ pi. " Ganz.'' 

 Whilst on Sudfall we saw flocks which must have amounted 

 to two hundred birds. This island can only be reached by 

 crossing over at low water from Nordstrand, from which it is 

 distant about four miles. We started in the afternoon of the 

 28th May, during a thick drizzling rain from the north-east. 



