147 



GEEY PHALAEOPE. 

 Case 212. 



A few of these birds visit our coast every 

 autumn. After unusually severe gales in September 

 or October they are occasionally found in immense 

 numbers. Should the storm continue many days 

 they seem to suffer greatly from its effects, and 

 scores may be seen so exhausted that they allow 

 themselves to be caught by hand. 



In September, 1866, a large flight appeared all 

 round the eastern and southern coasts. 



I was myself in the Highlands at the time and 

 obtained a single specimen in Glenlyon in 

 Perthshire at a distance of forty miles from the 

 sea. 



In the middle of September, 1870, I observed 

 a few passing along the south coast ; and after a 

 heavy south-east gale about three weeks later 

 hundreds were found in the neighbourhood of 

 Brighton, and the flight extended as far west as 

 Plymouth. I picked up nearly a dozen one 

 morning so disabled by the storm and want of food 

 its to be incapable of flying ; numbers at the same 

 time being seen hovering over the breakers a short 

 distance at sea. They kept passing for nearly a 

 fortnight, few being noticed on fine days but several 

 shewing themselves in the small pools near the sea- 

 beach in rough or windy weather. 



They are at all times most unsuspicious of 

 danger, generally allowing themselves to be 

 approached within three or four yards without 

 exhibiting the slightest signs of fear. 



The specimens in the case were shot among 

 the Oyster Ponds in Shoreham Harbour near 

 Brighton in October, 1870. 



See " Rough Notes," Vol. II., Plate 32. 



