Reprin ted from the Transactions'- of the ^ Norfolk 

 Naturalists Society, vol. w. 



II. 



NOTES ON THE ISLES OF SCILLY AND THE 

 MANX SHEARWATER (PUFFINUS ANGLORUM). 



BY J. H. iGuRXEY, JUN., F.L.S. 

 Read 2$th October, 1887. 



THE interesting paper in our Transactions by Mr. Edward Bidwell 

 on the Birds of Scilly incites me, as a brother ornithologist, to 

 transcribe the notes, or some portion of them, made during a very 

 pleasant week, extending from May 10th to 16th, 1887, a period 

 far too short to do more than taste the loveliness of these enchant- 

 ing islands. The celebrated gardens at Tresco Abbey, on which the 

 late Mr. Smith lavished so much money and care, were just then 

 in all their spring beauty, with their wealth of Palms, Dracaenas, 

 Meseinbryanthemums in profusion, flowering Arums, and green 

 hedges of Escallonia, dotted with its flowers of red, dividing 

 the Potato fields ; in fact, much blossoms then, which is lost 

 to those who only visit the islands in their July loveliness. 

 Unfortunately, the Eucalyptus, which is the largest tree on the 

 islands,* is dying, and many of the Ilexes and Pinasters are terribly 

 injured in their tops by the salt spray and wind. The Sycamore 

 seems to stand these enemies best, but has not been very exten- 

 sively planted at present. The late Lord Proprietor left money for 

 keeping up the gardens, and, under the watchful eye of the present 

 owner and his gardener, Mr. G. D. Vallance, there is no fear 

 of their deteriorating.! 



Birds come in for a large share of the Lord Proprietor's attention, 

 and the " List " alluded to by Mr. Bidwell is shown at the Abbey 

 to any one interested. Some of the rarities, however, in this 

 List, which is in manuscript (and has been drawn up by 

 Mr. F. J. Jenkinson), were seen, not shot. The Rufous and Great 



* And also the largest but one in Europe, Mr. Bidwell informs me. 

 f Photographs of them can be obtained of Gibson, at Penzance. 



