VOL. vTii.] xNOTES. 25 



ahead. " It would seem to me," writes Mr. Burtch, " that 

 the wings were instantly spread and closed again as the 

 Grebe lunged forward." 



The habits and behaviour of the Herring-Gull. — 

 Under this title Mr. R. M. Strong contributes a long and 

 interesting article, illustrated with a number of photographic 

 plates, to the Auk (1914, pp. 22-29, 178-199). The article 

 is based on observations of both wild and captive examples 

 of Larus argentatus in America, and is divided into the 

 following sections : Social or community relationships, 

 feeding-habits, breeding -habits, voice, reactions to stimuli, 

 special activities, comparison of diurnal and nocturnal 

 activities, variability and modifiability in behaviour and 

 migration. Most of these sections are subdivided into 

 headings, and Mr. Strong concludes with an excellent 

 "summary." The article is too long to analyse here, but 

 the excellent systematic arrangement will make reference 

 to any section easy for those who desire to consult it. 



Moult of the Moorhen. — Mr. C. H. B. Grant contributes 

 an interesting article on this subject to the Ihis (1914, 

 pp. 298-304), in which he shows that all the wing- and tail- 

 feathers of the Moorhen are dropped at the same time, as is 

 the case in Geese, Ducks, probably all tlie Rails, and some 

 other birds. 



