79 



THE FULMAR PETREL. 



A correspondent, C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), in THE FIELD 

 of June 4, wished for information as to the habits of the Fulmar 

 Petrel, and expressed some doubt as to his diving. I have very 

 constant opportunity of observing them. They dive freely, but 

 in a peculiar manner, following the shoals of sprats or young 

 herrings in great flocks on the wing, and, dropping over them 

 like a hailstorm, dive about 6ft. or 8ft. beneath the surface, using 

 wings and feet, as most sea birds d9, but they appear never to 

 dive deep or remain long under water. They are particularly 

 bold and fearless when in pursuit of their prey, and by throwing 

 out bits of fish on a clear day will be kept round a boat, giving 

 capital opportunity of observing their habits. 



WATER-RAIL'S NEST IN NORTHUMBERLAND. 



(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, July, 1867.) 



On July 1 2 one of my sons was looking for flappers at the side of 

 a lough of about fifty acres in extent, one-third of which is filled 

 with reeds and other water plants, when a pointer he had with 

 him pointed a nest containing seven eggs. He broke one, and 

 finding it recently laid, he put another in his cap and brought it 

 to his brother and myself, who were at the other side of the 

 lough, saying to the former that he had brought him a Water- 

 hen's egg. I knew the egg was a Water-rails, and as I had 

 never seen a nest, we proposed to go in search of it again. This 

 appeared at first a hopeless task, but by retracing the track 

 previously made amongst the weeds it was again found. The 

 nest, which was firmly attached to the stems of the water plants, 

 was about thirty yards from the edge, in water knee-deep, whilst 

 resting on the matted roots of water plants, which bore our weight. 

 The bottom of the nest was in the water, and the nest was raised 

 about four inches above the water, and made of the flattened 

 stalks of water plants. It was quite hidden from view by the 

 arched leaves of carices which waved over it. The seven eggs 



