

KERST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 197 



wheet," repeating it many times running, rather 

 like a Ringed Plover's call, only a plaintive note 

 more like a " weep " than a whistle. When the 

 birds changed over they both ran to one another 

 and conversed in the same tones. They have 

 quite a language, besides the cries known only 

 to the unhidden disturber. He noticed the 

 birds turn their eggs with their feet. (E.H.C. 

 and W.P.C.) 



LARIDAE. 



(87) Larus marinus. The Great Black- Backed Gull. 

 Nov. 20 A few near Portland Station. (F.L.B.) 



(88) Larus fuscus affinis. The British Lesser Black- Backed 



Gull. 



Nov. 20 A few near Portland Station. (F.L.B.) 



(89) Catharacta skua. The Great Skua or Bonxie. 



Mr. Wallis wrote me 4 February, 1916 : The 

 first Great Skua I ever saw in the flesh was 

 shot here (i.e. Weymouth) a month ago. 

 23 April 1916. I was called away from home 

 or I should have reached Martock. It is 

 my opinion the farmer is afraid of the Bird 

 Protection Act. However, the farmer, Mr. 

 William Tucker, of Manor Farm, Martock, 

 Somerset, wrote Mr. Wallis that he had had the 

 bird stuffed and would try to find out who 

 shot it. So far the enquiries have not resulted 

 in any information being forthcoming. 

 (The farmer mentioned purchased the bird 

 in the flesh of the murderer and took it to 

 Martock, where he lived. The bird is a great 

 rarity in Britain, and is on the " Specially 



