2218 The Zoologist — July, 1870. 



trout, was a single salmon. Two sandpipers, gray wagtails, and a few 

 lesser blackbacked gulls were seen, besides many sand martins, settle- 

 ments of which occur in the high banks of the bends of the stream. 

 The sand martins have also utilized the crannies in the old walls of 

 the fortifications at Berwick for breeding purposes. 



May 13. By rail to Belper Station, thence on foot to Bamborough 

 with the intention of crossing over to the Fame Islands : from one 

 cause or other, however, we were prevented, greatly to my regret, from 

 visiting, either on this day or on our return south, these nurseries of 

 sea-fowl. Inspected the grand old castle ; the rock covered with 

 branches of Silene maritima and Armeria raaritima, now in full bloom ; 

 the white and red flowers, contrasting with the dark basaltic rock, had 

 a most beautiful and garden-like effect. On the coast between 

 Bamborough and the little fishing village of North Sunderland were 

 many mature and immature lesser blackbacked gulls : they are most 

 unquestionably the common species along the Northumberland sea- 

 board. Two or three cormorants were fishing near the shore, and 

 some large terns (probably the Sandwich) hunting along the coast; too 

 far out, however, for us to be quite certain of the species. I was glad 

 to see, at Sunderland as well as Bamborough, hand-bills warning all 

 persons of the provisions of the Bird Preservation Act. 



May 14. Towed out of Berwick soon after midnight; wind S.W. 

 and strong. Intended having a look at the Fame Islands ; un- 

 fortunately for our purpose the breeze increased to a gale from the 

 W.S.W., and close-reefed we ran miles to windward of the Longstone, 

 now almost hidden by the heavy surf. The lesser blackbacked gulls 

 and Sandwich tern were numerous, wheeHng and dashing over the 

 crests of the big waves, or skimming buoyantly along the trough of 

 the sea, eagerly scanning the surface for every fragment of floating 

 matter washed up. Sometimes from the drift of rain and spray a 

 kittiwake would come up, following in our wake for long distances, 

 often hovering within a few feet of the tafferel, — a creature so beautiful, 

 unsuspecting and tame, — so like, in its spotless and unsullied loveliness, 

 some wandering spirit of the deep, watching, guardian-like, over our 

 course, — that we marvelled the man should be found so hardened in 

 heart, so dead to Nature's fairest works, as, for mere pleasure or gain, 

 to slaughter creatures so beautiful and fair. 



We had a rapid but stormy passage up the coast, the wind 

 increasing in force as the day advanced, almost constantly deluged in 

 spray, but shipping no green seas. 2"30 p. M. Off South Sunderland. 



