CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 179 



I have good proof, as some that I keep in confinement 

 devoured a couple of young blackbirds that escaped 

 from their cage, and also managed to bolt a Water 

 Kail, to say nothing of numerous sparrows that they 

 contrive to capture while feeding on their corn. 



Some years ago these birds were plentiful on the 

 Bass, where they nested every season. 



The person who hired the rock, finding that the 

 Jackdaws which had recently taken up their quarters in 

 the rabbit-burrows near the summit were very destruc- 

 tive to the eggs of the sea-fowl, endeavoured to destroy 

 them by laying down poisoned bread and butter ; this, 

 however, was greedily devoured by the larger species 

 of Gulls, who suffered in consequence, and since that 

 time there have been but two or three pairs of either 

 Herring Gulls or Lesser Black Backs about the rock. 



The case is copied from a drawing made on the north 

 side of the Bass ; the specimens, together with their 

 nest and eggs, being obtained on the rock in June, 1867. 



HERRING GULL. (WINTER.) 

 Case 229. 



This case shows the mature bird in winter plumage, 

 and the young in the second or third year. 



The specimens were shot in Yarmouth Eoads, in 

 November, 1872. 



BUFFONS' SKUA. 

 Case 230. 



I have had but little opportunity for observing the 

 habits of the present species. 



N 2 



