318 Miscellaneous. 



Tringa subarqnata : these, as well as the Knott, Tringa camttus, are 

 very plentiful at this season of the year. On their first arrival they 

 are very tame, and fall an easy prey to the fowler. 



I have seen a pair of the Common Skua, Lestris Cutaractes, but 

 was not able to procure either of them, though I followed them in a 

 boat for several hours. 



As soon as time will allow me, I will send you an account of my 

 journey to Orkney. At present, as the season is now coming on 

 for collecting aquatic birds, I shall be occupied in supplying the 

 wants of any of my correspondents. 



November 14, 1841. 



I killed on the 8th of this month, a beautiful specimen of Ai'ctic 

 Skua {Lestris parasiticus), about two miles from hence, on the road 

 to Kingsgate ; it was alone in a ploughed field, and allowed me to 

 approach within thirty yards before it offered to rise. According to 

 Mr. Jenyns it is apparently of rare occurrence in this country. Mr. 

 Thompson says it has rejieatedly occurred in the Bay of Dublin and 

 near Belfast. I have seen them on three occasions about Sandwich 

 flats, but never been able to obtain one before. My bird is a young 

 female, with the central tail-feathers projecting about two inches. 



Onthe 1 2th inst. I obtained asplendid specimen of the Common Skua, 

 (Lestris Cataractes) ; it was shot near Sandwich flats, where it was 

 in company with another. Though numerous in the Shetland Islands, 

 it is rare in the southern parts of Britain. A short time since I saw 

 five, and have often heard of their being seen by fishermen, who call 

 them Dung-birds, from their habits of pursuing other birds and com- 

 pelling them to disgorge their food. During the late windy wea- 

 ther, on the 28th of October, I obtained three specimens of the Com- 

 mon Rotche {Mergulus Alle). One was taken alive, at Newgate, about 

 half a mile from Margate ; it was found in a hole in the cliff, and 

 did not show the least inclination to fly ; another was found dead on 

 the rocks near the Reculvers. They are good specimens. 



On >he 18th of October, whilst out near llichborough Castle, about 

 two miles from Sandwich, suddenly there got out of the lonely grove 

 a beautiful specimen of the Golden Oriole (Oriolus Gulbula). It 

 immediately alighted on some neighbouring trees, and by a little of the 

 manoeuvring which is requisite in collecting, I succeeded in shooting 

 the bird. It is a male, and forms a good pair to the one I procured 

 last spring for the Margate Museum. 



November 21. 

 I have now to add the capture of another rare species, — Richard's 

 Pipit {Antkus Richardi), shot near Birchington, about a mile from 

 the spot where I shot one last year, as mentioned at p. 398 of your 

 6th volume, and, from its extreme youth, I have eveiy reason to 

 believe it was bred at no great distance. I am certain that it was 

 not able to take a long journey, for, as the bones were very soft and 

 not perfectly set, and many of the quills or stubs are not passed 

 into feathers, I am sure it was not more tlian ten weeks old ; I shall 

 therefore look closely after the parent birds. In spring I intend to 

 visit the Shetland Islands for the purpose of collecting. 



3, Bath Road, Margate. S. Mummery. 



