Birds. 9165 
pipit, both of which birds are common there, particularly the former. 
A few days before I had seen a pair of cuckoos on the coast at 
Lytham, and they also were on the sand-hills. On seeing one of them 
alight upon the ground, I at once mistook it for a sparrowhawk ; and 
I can only account for the cuckoo being found in a situation so un- 
usual and so unproductive of its ordinary food by supposing that it 
had flown there merely for the purpose of laying. 
My guide informed me that landrails were frequently met with on 
the island, but we did not see or hear any. I also learned that dun- 
lins, knots and turnstones were very common there in winter, but not 
seen at any other time of the year. 
Preceeding along the west coast, before reaching South-end we 
turned to the left, crossed the interior of the island and followed the 
line of east coast until reaching North Scale, from whence we had 
started. Here I recrossed to the mainland, but this time on foot. The 
tide being out, and the water at most only knee-deep upon firm sand, 
] preferred to wade rather than wait till the water was deep enough to 
launch a boat. So, leaving my guide at his cottage at North Scale, 
1 returned, laden with my treasures, to Barrow, after one of the most 
interesting rambles I\have ever made. 
J. Epmunp Harrine. 
List of, and Remarks on, some of the Birds observed during a Year's 
Residence on the North-East Coast of Scotland, 1858-59. By 
Captain HENRY HabFIELp. 
Gannet.—On entering the Clyde, the 13ih of June, 1858, on my 
return from North America, I passed the Ailsa Rock, one of the most 
celebrated breeding-stations of the gannet, but at too late an hour to 
observe the birds. A few only had been seen during the day, but it 
being the season of incubation they may not wander far from the 
coast. 
Brownheaded Gull.—June 17. In coming up the Caledonian Canal, 
the steamer was closely followed by a numerous flock of these 
interesting birds, seemingly conscious of being a privileged class, as 
they occasionally, in the most fearless manner, alighted within a few 
yards of the stern, narrowly inspecting the broken water: their power 
of vision is almost incredible, for on throwing overboard some small 
fragments of bread they were instantly descried amid the foam and 
