204 



ICELAND GULL. 

 Case 321. 



This immature specimen was shot beyond Kottingdean 

 toward the end of the winter of 1889-90 by a Brighton College 

 boy. It is an Arctic species, seldom wandering so far south 

 even in the immature state. Mature birds have very rarely 

 been observed even in the extreme north of Britain. 



The samphire and wild stock in the case were brought 

 from the cliffs near Kottingdean. 



BUFFON'S SKUA. (MATURE). 

 Case 323. 



These two fine specimens were shot October 14th, 1879, 

 off Redcar, and were purchased (through the good offices of 

 Mr. T. H. Nelson) in 1898. 



Mature birds of this species in summer plumage are 

 readily distinguishable by their long tail feathers, but they 

 are rarely seen in Britain. A very fine specimen flew 

 close past me while sailing in the Outer Hebrides May 

 29th, 1894. It was being mobbed by two terns. On the 

 same day I saw a large flock of over 200 Grey Plover in 

 summer plumage, a sight never to be forgotten, as they 

 turned together in the bright sun. 



GREAT AECTIC DIVER 

 Case 324. 



An immature specimen, shot by the late Mr. Booth, 

 December 14th, 1872, on Hickling Broad. Mr. Booth 

 describes how, after being wounded, first by the punt gun, 

 and then with a shoulder gun, it charged the punt open- 

 mouthed and would have come right on board if it had not 

 been seized and killed. 



ORTOLAN BUNTING. 



Case 325. 



Though common enough on the other side of the 

 Channel, the Ortolan rarely crosses over into Britain, except 

 as a captive, fattened for the epicure's table. The two birds 

 in the case were both obtained in Sussex in 1896, the female 

 near Eottingdean on April 21st, and the male to the east of 

 Eastbourne on June 29th. (Acquired by purchase). 



