93 



coast, commencing with the Fern Islands and termin- 

 ating opposite the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth. 



Their being found at this time of the year has 

 led some writers to state that they breed on our 

 shores ; but up to the present time I believe no 

 authenticated eggs have been taken in this country. 



I have on two or three occasions shot a few of 

 these late-staying birds on purpose to examine 

 them, and have always found that although in what 

 might be styled summer plumage they were never 

 nearly so perfect in colour as the birds that pass 

 along the coast in May, giving one the impression 

 of their being either backward or sickly. 



They feed on the small worms and salt-water 

 insects which are found on the mud-banks and 

 rocks they frequent. 



It is a common habit with these birds to turn 

 over sea-weed, stones and dead fish, or other refuse 

 under which their food might be concealed. 



Two of the specimens in the case were 

 obtained on Gullane Links in East Lothian in May, 

 1867, and the remainder on Breydon mudflats in 

 Norfolk in May, 1871. 



BUFFON'S SKUA. 

 Case 113. 



I have had but little opportunity of observing 

 the habits of the present species, a pair in immature 

 plumage which I noticed several times one day 

 flying together in the early part of May in the 

 Channel and the specimen in the case being all that 

 I have met with. 



The bird was shot close to the West Pier at 

 Brighton, where it had remained sitting on the 

 water for several hours, being probably worn out 

 by a continuance of stormy weather. It was 

 obtained in November, 1870. 



See " Kough Notes," Vol. III., Plate 47, and subsequent note 

 (page 3), where Booth states his opinion that this speci- 

 men was probably an adult undergoing the transforma- 

 tion into winter plumage. 



