149 



At the more northern stations their numbers 

 show no signs of diminution. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in 

 the Firth of Forth in the vicinity of the Bass Rock 

 in June, 1865. 



POMERINE SKUA. 

 Case 215. 



Several letters recently appeared describing an 

 " extraordinary migration" of these birds. The 

 writers appear to have been ignorant of the fact 

 that large flocks may every season be met with a 

 few miles off our coast. 



The specimens w^ere shot in the North Sea in 

 November, 1879. 



See " Rough Notes," Vol. Ill, Plates 40, 41, 42. 



T^e right hand bird is an exceptionally fine specimen of 

 the rare adult black variety. 



RAZOR BILL. (WINTER). 

 Case 216. 



The Razor Bill in winter is met with in 

 numbers all round our coasts, a few miles off the 

 land, following the shoals of sprats and other fish 

 on which they feed. During protracted rough 

 weather they occasionally suffer severely from 

 hunger, those obtained after a storm being usually 

 in poor condition. 



The fishermen on some parts of the south 

 coast appear to have a fancy for these birds. I 

 have often been asked for any I did not want, the 

 men declaring they made a capital dish when 

 stuffed with onions. 



The specimens in the case were shot in the 

 English Channel during the winter of 1870. 



