22 MR embleton's notice oe the smooth gurnabd. 



Upon a low flat and isolated roelv;, about 150 to 200 yards from, the 

 bottom, of tlie cliff, we observed a flock of green cormorants {Fhalacro- 

 corax cristatus) busily engaged in preening and drying their feathers. 

 These individuals seemed conscious of the safe and vmapproachable 

 station they had selected for repose after the exertion of fishing, as they 

 istened with aj)parent unconcern, and without shewing any alarm, to 

 the report of our fowling-piece, -which v as fii-ed off upon the cliff 

 immediately above them. Uiion the ledges of the precipices north of 

 the Head, and upon the head itself, the guillemots were perched in 

 great numbers, the females closely pressed together and incubating. 

 Numerous pairs of razor-bills were also conspicuous : these generally 

 select stations a little higher than the guillemots, and keep in distinct 

 pairs, and are easily recognised even at a considerable uistance by the 

 form of their head and bill, and the superior blackness of their upper 

 plumage. Several rock-pigeons ( Colmiba livia) were also seen upon 

 wing, but, unfortunately, none came within range of shot. 



Upon the stony hills round Coldingham Lough and the Head, the 

 smart and prettily marked wheatear {Saxkola (Enanthe) was seen flitting 

 from knoll to knoll, and, like its congeners, always alighting on the 

 highest elevation. The whin and stone chats (Saxicola JRubetra, S. 

 Ruhicola) were also observed where whin or furze prevailed ; and, in 

 similar situations, the mellow call-note of the grey linnet [Linaria 

 cannahina) was repeatedly heard. I may also notice the common occur- 

 rence of the rock-pipit (Anthus aquaticus) upon the rocks of the coast ; 

 and the escape of a large brood of the diminutive wren {Troglodytes 

 euro2)ceus) from their nest, from the face of one of the highest precipices 

 of the cliff. 



Notice of the Trigla Icevis or Smooth Gurnard. By Mr E. Embleton, 

 Surgeon. (Eead 10th April 1833). 



On the 5th of April inst., a very fiaie specimen of this fish {Trigla 

 lavis, Flem. Br. An. p. 215), was cast ashore at Newton- by-the-sea, 

 after a severe storm from the south-east. It is found in great abund- 

 ance on the coast of Devonshire and Cornwall, but is a very rare 

 visitant so far to the north-east ; and this specimen is the only one 

 which has been seen by the fishermen in this neighbourhood, so far as 

 I can learn. It differed, however, in some points, from the description 

 given by Dr Fleming, and seemed to me to hold an intermediate place 

 between the Trigla Icevis and T. hirundo of that author. Its extreme 

 length was 23J inches. From the origin of the pectorals to the anal- 

 apertiu-e 4A^ inches, whilst the pectorals extended rather more than hali 

 an inch beyond it. Breadth of the pectorals 2>\ inches ; circumference 

 of the body immediately at their base, 10 inches. The first dorsal fin 



