64 BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 



Mr. C. E. Smith in the f Zoologist' for 1866, s.s. p. 

 455, on the authority of Captain Gravil, of the ill- 

 fated whaler ( Diana' (totally wrecked at Donna 

 Nook, on the Lincolnshire coast, in the fearful gale 

 of October 19th, 1869). 



During one of their return voyages from Greenland, 

 in the late autumn, a Rook completely exhausted 

 came on board his vessel in the North Sea, 220 miles 

 from the nearest land, namely the north of Scotland. 

 The bird was caught and well cared for, and after a 

 few days set at liberty, but did not leave the vessel, 

 remaining on board, hopping about the deck amongst 

 the men, and roosting in the rigging at night. At 

 Shetland, Captain Gravil sent the bird on shore, and 

 sailed the same evening for Hull. The next morning, 

 when more than 40 miles from Lerwick, and out of 

 sight of land, the sailors were astonished at seeing 

 their late comrade winging his way to the vessel, on 

 which he presently alighted with a great cawing and 

 every sign of satisfaction. He continued with them 

 till the vessel arrived in Hull, when the poor bird 

 was unfortunately killed, much to the regret of the 

 crew, by some mischievous boys. 



I have met with several varieties during the last 

 ten years in the spring of 1865 a cream-coloured 

 Eook, the feet and bill white, eyes pink, shot in the 

 Killingholme rookery, others also having more or less 

 of the primaries white. A not uncommon variation 

 shows a few white feathers in the throat. 



