The Zoologist— July, 1870. 2215 



Beating to windward during the afternoon, with a strong north wind, 

 heavy sea and flood-lide against us. We had hoped to reach Brid- 

 lington Bay by midnight, but, the wind and sea increasing, put about 

 and ran for the Huniber. 5.30 P. M. Anchored in Sunk Roads. 



May 6. 6.30 a. m. Morning cold and cloudy, a clear while horizon 

 to the north, with ragged, torn and leaden-tinted vapour drifting 

 slowly across it : wind N.W. 8.30 a.m. Underway. 9.30. Spurn 

 high light bearing S.E. three miles: two swallows seen. 



1.25 P.M. Withernsea Church, bearing W. by N. seven miles. A 

 curlew crossed our bows, flying two feet above water, and going 

 directly out to sea. Many razorbills and guillemots off Hornsea and 

 in BridHngton Bay, but no divers seen. Several porpoises, usually in 

 pairs, and swimming very high in the water. 11.30 p.m. Passed the 

 Head. 



May 7. 7 A. M. Flamborough Head, bearing S.W. ^ W. 7 miles. 

 Little wind, but heavy roll from the north : a kw razorbills and 

 guillemots flying towards headland. 10.30 a.m. Off Robin Hood's 

 Bay, north of Scarborough : wind entirely gone ; little lady having her 

 own way, swinging her heavy boom and (that dreariest of all nautical 

 sounds) thrashing the reef-knieeles against the sail. 8 p. m. Flocks of 

 guillemots, &c., flying northward along the coast: a few kittiwakes 

 seen. Rolling heavily all night, and drifting slowly with the flood 

 towards Scarborough. Burnt many "flare-ups" (tow dipped in tur- 

 pentine and placed at the end of an iron rod) : this precaution is 

 necessary to show our position to any of those terrors of the North 

 Sea, the steam colliers, which may be coming up astern. 



May 8. 8 a.m., wind S., slight breeze. Gradually drawing ahead 

 again. 10.30, breeze freshening. Set square-headed topsail. Made 

 a splendid run up the coast, averaging seven knots per hour. Birds 

 scarce : a few kittiwakes, guillemots and two redthroated divers seen, 

 principally off mouths of Tees and Tyne. I have often been pleased 

 lo see the interest shown by our fishermen and coasting sailors in the 

 various birds frequenting these seas. In summer weather, or in those 

 long dreary calms when time hangs heavy, every object seen acquires 

 special interest, and none more so than the various forms and flight 

 of birds ; each has its own appropriate name, often in allusion to some 

 peculiarity in flight or note. I am sure if the good men who have 

 worked so hard and zealously to procure the Sea-bird Preservation 

 Bill could see, as I have done, the seaman's face brighten, and listen 

 to his quaint remarks as he watches some passing flock of sea-fowl, 



