NOTES. 309 



COMMON GULL IN WARWICKSHIRE. 



On February 8th, 1912, Messrs. Spicer and Sons, of Birming- 

 ham, received for preservation a specimen of the Common Gull 

 [Lams canus). It was shot on the River Anker, at Nuneaton, 

 and is a mature male. Bernard Starley. 



THE 1912 " WRECK " OF THE LITTLE AUK. 



The following notes, read in conjunction with those which 

 appeared in our last number (pp. 282-286), show that the 

 Little Auks were driven far and wide across the country. 

 They seem to have struck the coast in greatest numbers from 

 Norfolk to the Firth of Forth, and it seems probable that 

 those reported from western and midland counties travelled 

 across the country from the east coast. 



As was said in our last issue, the numbers which came to 

 grief were apparently less than in 1895, but so far at all events 

 as England is concerned they were, I think, " strewn " over 

 a wider area this year than in 1895. — H.F.W. 



Lanarkshire. — One at the end of January near Motherwell 

 [Glasgow Nat., IV., p. 63). 



Renfrewshire. — One was picked up near Kilmalcolm on 

 February 18th ; it had evidently struck the telegraph-wires, 

 as it was lying underneath them. It was an adult female 

 (T. Thornton Mackeith). 



Northumberland. — Mr. J. M. Charlton sends the following 

 notes from the south-east coast : — " Jan. 8th-9th, 1912. 

 Stormy. Blizzard. South-east winds. First Little Auks 

 appeared in large numbers off St. Mary's Island close in to 

 shore, swimming and protected from the waves by the island 

 itself. On the 9th one was picked up and brought to me. 

 Another was shot as it was flying south. Jan. 10. — Numbers 

 passing south. Jan. 17. — Wind south-east, exceedingly 

 strong. Two brought to me exhausted. Jan. 18. — South- 

 east wind. Large numbers passing south in flocks of four to 

 six. Some passed so close to the shore as to be pelted with 

 stones by boys. Jan. 19. — Several picked up inland, Seaton 

 Delaval (IJ miles inland) and Cullercoats. Several in Culler- 

 coats Bay. Jan 22. — Several passing south. Jan. 23. — 

 Observed one at sea from fishing-boat ; it was close by, and 

 when on the surface appeared to use its wings as though it 

 were swimming beneath the surface. Jan. 26. — One brought 

 in, caught in front street of Cullercoats by boys. 



