The Zoologist — September, 1869. 1841 



There has, I am aware, been much discussion as to what bird is in- 

 tended : if not llie wheatear, wlial is it? 



Biowiiheaded Gull. — June 12. Already hundreds of this species, 

 both old and young birds, have returned to the coast from the great 

 gullerics of Tvvigmoor, near Brigg, Lincolnshire and Hornsea Mere, 

 Yorkshire. There were also many young of the herring gull and the 

 common species, with a few immature great blackbaclied, on the " flats" 

 by the 22nd ; indeed, young gulls of all these species muster strong, 

 and are unusually plentiful along the river. Either they have had a 

 very favourable breeding season, or the " Bill " has already become 

 effective in increasing the number of our sea-fowl. A man who lives 

 close to the Huuiber saj^s that there are now more young gulls on the 

 " flats" than has been the case for very many years; and this is quite 

 borne out by my own observation. 



lapwing. — June 12. I caught four young peewits this morning, 

 evidently only a few hours out of the shell : in two of these little 

 fellows the white ring round the neck was not nearly so distinct, and 

 nuich duller — probably this difference is one of sex. 



IV/iimbrel. — July 15. Whimbrel were passing over the house early 

 this morning, flying south. This is a month earlier than I have 

 observed them in previous years. I also heard their well-known note, 

 when at sea off" the Norfolk coast, near Cromer, on the morning of the 

 22nd ; and on the 29th saw forty together in the Humber marshes. 



Scoter. — Some flocks seen this morning off the Bull Light ship, 

 Humber mouth. 



Ringed DoUerel. — July 30. Seen in considerable flocks in the 

 marshes. 



John Cordeaux. 



Great Cotes, Ulcetiy, Lincolnsliire, 

 August 3, l8Gf). 



Occurrences of the Crane in 1869. By J. H. Gurney, jun., Esq. 



The Spring migration of 1869 having been marked by an unusual 

 number of cranes, the Editor requested me to make a list of them. 



About the 7th of May my father saw a crane at Mr. Ward's shop in 

 Oxford Street, the property of Mr. Hume, who informed him that on 

 the 2nd a labourer saw two cranes on a layer- Held, near the border of 

 the two adjoining parishes in which his estate lies, viz., West Somerton 



SECOND SERIES — VOL. IV. 2 Z 



