FIRST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 185 



seemed to lose all sense of direction and landed at a point 

 far West of its original line of flight. I think there must have 

 been something the matter with its semicircular canals as the 

 course followed was, so far as I can see, as shown on the 

 annexed drawing. The vertical plan of the second flight 

 was much the same as the vertical plan of the first, but the 

 horizontal plan I cannot recollect in its entirety. I do not 

 remember seeing a bird carry on quite like this, although I 

 have seen them amuse themselves doing fancy flying in fine 

 weather. This was very unusual, or I feel sure I should have 

 noticed it before. (E.H.C.). 

 Alle alle (The Little Auk). 



16th Nov. An adult male in winter plumage was captured 

 in Poole Harbour by one of the Wills family, who brought it 

 up to me dead. No doubt the little bird was worn out 

 buffetting the recent gales ; it was very thin and apparently 

 starved, though the plumage was in good order ; the stomach 

 contained nothing but a little seaweed. (E.H.C.). 

 Colymbus siellaius (The Redthroated Diver). 



I watched a Redthroated Diver in Poole Park on 14th 

 February, 1915, through the glasses ; he had just a spot or 

 two of red plumage showing on his neck below his chin. I 

 saw him making his toilet ; he preened his feathers right down 

 to his belty, this last he did by rolling over in the water and 

 turning on to his back. After completing his belly, he 

 resumed his normal position and washed his back by thrusting 

 his head under water and giving a few strokes forward with 

 his feet throwing the water over his back. Then he would 

 raise himself up flapping his wings and almost getting into 

 an upright position, then launching himself into the water on 

 his chest again. (E.H.C.). 



1st March. One seen in Swanage Bay. (W.P.C.). 

 Crex crex (The Corncrake). 



I hardly ever hear one now. (E.S.R.). 



Heard at Pulham. (J.R.). 



15th August and 22nd August. One seen on the Swanage 

 Golf Links about the same place every time. (W.P.C.). 



