90 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



were killed for the paltry fourpence each he got 

 for them from a skin-dealer, who sent them away for 

 millinery work. 



The continuance of severe weather so hungered 

 and tamed the poor creatures that they swarmed 

 the river opposite the Town Hall, picking up food 

 thrown into the water. They even flew up and 

 down the Marine Parade, snatching up broken 

 biscuits flung out to them by interested spectators. 



Of course, many fell victims to the "sporting" 

 tactics of cruel boys. On the 29th some were being 

 trapped in steelfalls. A wash tub, and even a fish- 

 trunk, were seen in use standing on edge, supported 

 by a stick which could be pulled away by a long 

 string. Many were taken by these rough downfall 

 contrivances. Some were even taken on the South 

 Denes by lifting in a similar fashion the nets spread 

 there. On 17th February 1902 one man captured 

 forty -six Black-headed Gulls and two Common 

 Gulls. 



This same man, Cubitt by name, is a remarkably 

 keen-witted fellow in the detecting of rare Incessores, 

 and in their capture very " fortunate." His largest 

 catch of Common Linnets in one day was 207 males, 

 and almost an equal number of females : the latter 



