The Zoologist — April, 1873. 3467 



sorry to say that a very large number of linnets have been brought 

 to our markets— no doubt killed from the immense flocks I have 

 mentioned. 



Blackheaded Gull and Razorbill. — February 1.3th. Examined a 

 specimen of Larus ridibundus, with the black head of the breeding 

 season nearly completed ; also a razorbill, with the sides of its neck 

 and throat strongly mottled with black. On the 16th I watched 

 some razorbills diving off the Devil's Point, at Stonehouse, and a 

 small flock of Larus ridibundus, most of which were assuming the 

 black head. 



Herring Gull, (^-c— February 15th. Herring gulls crying in the 

 air, just as in the breeding season. Came across many wood larks 

 and sky larks in full song. Saw four or five bullfinches, and met 

 with the remains of a wagtail and linnet which had been killed by 

 a hawk. On the 19th, at Whitsand Bay, on the Cornish coast, 

 were some very large flocks of herring gulls upon the rocks near 

 their usual breeding-place, which on being disturbed made a 

 tremendous noise in the air. Since the late gales great numbers 

 of this species have left our harbours and retired to the coast. 

 Flocks of blackheaded gulls, too, leave our mud-banks towards 

 dark, on a fine evening, flying high overhead in strings, like 

 curlews. 



Kestrel, Dipper, ^r.— February 18th. Went to Bickleigh Vale 

 and Roborough Down. Examined the roosting-place of a kestrel, 

 where I found an abundance of pellets consisting entirely of the 

 fur, bones and a few teeth of mice. Saw some golden plover, 

 lapwings and fieldfares. In the river Plym at Bickleigh Vale met 

 with some waterhens and several dippers, one of which was hopping 

 about in a shallow but rapid part of the stream with its head and 

 neck completely under, and water rippling over its back. Gray 

 wagtails tolerably numerous, with several marsh and other tits. 



Gratj Wagtail and Mountain Finch. — February 20th. Gray 

 wagtails assuming the black throat. Saw a titlark mount sino^in^ 



■I'll O o 



m the air, and descend without spread wings and tail, as in 

 the breeding time. Some mountain finches killed in the neigh- 

 bourhood. 



Purple Sandpiper, Knot, c^c — February 23rd. Mews very 

 plentiful, but the last kittiwake I saw was on the 6lh. Several 

 waterhens in the market in beautiful plumage, with bills and legs 

 very fine in colour. Watched a purple sandpiper on the rocks 



