172 The Zoologist— Apbil, 1866. 



destroy an incalculable quantity of worms and grubs. The woodlouse, 

 too, is eagerly sought for, and greedily devoured. 



Bhiethroaled Warbler. — November 12th. in passing through Bon- 

 church, at 1 p. M., I again observed this now familiar bird, perched on 

 a hawthorn hedge, within a stone's throw of its old haunt by the brook- 

 side. Since the autumnal moult it has assumed its perfect adult plu- 

 mage, the breast being now of a pure and spotless blue. 



Woodcock. — A couple of woodcocks shot on the Downs on the 10th 

 are the first I have heard of. Easterly winds had prevailed, but the 

 thermometer had ranged from 45° to 50°. 



Dartford Warbler. — November 15lh. One observed on the Downs. 



Snipe. — First noticed early in the month, one having been Qushed 

 in a turnip-field. 



Rock Dove. — Though I had heard of their being seen about our 

 cliffs, it was not recorded for fear of mistake ; but I can no longer 

 doubt it, one of my informants having observed them accompanying 

 the daws, and another saw a small flock fly out of the same clifl's, and 

 from his description they could be no other than the rock dove. 



December, 1865. 



Martin. — Martins remained with us till December, some having 

 been observed near Bonchurch on the 10th, on which day the thermo- 

 meter marked 44° at 9 a.m., and had been as high as 49° on the previous 

 day at the same hour. 



Wild Duck. — December 14th. Heard to-day of numerous ducks 

 being seen on the eastern coast. 



Blackheaded Gull. — This species now frequents the newly-ploughed 

 lands along the coast : a considerable flock seen on the 16th between 

 Shanklin and Lake, one of their favourite haunts. 



Shay. — Though the shag is not so commonly met with now, I hear 

 from the liyde watermen that one has occasionally been seen of late 

 taking up a position on an isolated pile in the direction of Sea 

 View. 



Cormorant. — This common species frequents the Solent and South- 

 ampton Water. On the 16th (a foggy day), one allowed the steamboat 

 to get within fifty yards of it before rising heavily froui the water, which 

 it did by a rapid beating of the wings, aided by the propelling power 

 of its strong and muscular legs, leaviug a long line of broken water in 

 its wake. 



