158 EOTCHE. 



Me3^er writes, 'the incredible numbers of this species that 

 have been seen by voyagers, on the surface of the northern 

 seas, are very remarkable; it is said that they cover the 

 surface of the water, and the floating masses of ice as far 

 as the eye can discern, and when they take flight they actually 

 darken the sky. This species is so entirely a sea-bird, that 

 it is only seen on land, or in the immediate vicinity of the 

 coast, during iihe breeding-season, and at other times hardly 

 ever within fifteen or twenty miles from the shore.' They 

 appear not be very shy in their habits. 



Occasional specimens occur in hard winters on the coasts 

 of Holland and Fi-ance. 



This small sea-bird has, as just observed, in many instances 

 been found inland after stormy weather. In Yorkshire, near 

 Bridlington they occasionally occur in small flocks. One was 

 taken alive in a farm-yard in the parish of Naff'erton, after 

 a severe snow-blast from the north and north-east, on the 

 24th. of February, 1858, and brought to me. 



One, a male, was picked up in the town of Barnsley, in 

 the West-Riding, on the 11th. of November, 1851. Three 

 turned up at AVhitby, during the first week in March, 1853. 

 One at Harrogate, on the 10th. of January, 1854; one, 

 October 2Ist., 1851, at Naburn, on the Ouse, below York, 

 the ancient seat of the family of my friend, the Rev. 

 William Lindsay Palmes, for six hundred years. In 1841, 

 a large flight of these birds crossed the country near 

 Doncaster, and many were found, some dead, and others 

 alive. One near Hebden-Bridge, October 25th., 1834; about 

 the same time one at Luddenden, near there. Several on 

 Foss Island, near York. The species has also occurred at 

 Copgrove, near Knaresborough, as mentioned to Montagu by 

 the Rev. Mr. Dalton. Many oft' Redcar in 1841, as also all 

 along the coasts of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, 

 Kent, and Sussex. 



In Oxfordshire, one was caught at Salford, near Chipping 

 Norton, in December, 1847; another had been found in an 

 adjoining parish a few years previously. Several have been 

 taken near Oxford. It has also occurred near Newbury, 

 Berkshire. 



In Cornwall, one at Plymouth Hoe, in December, 1850; 

 one at Pennance, December 19th., 1846; one in Bream Bay, 

 March 7th., 1847; one also at Gwyllyn Vase. Also on the 

 coast of Devonshire. Montagu records three killed in his 



