The Zoologist— March, 1874. 3907 



with one exception, in full summer plumage. How can this be 

 accounted for ? I think by the white and black heads not being 

 a seasonal change at all, but the sign of age. I remember being 

 astonished last summer, whilst out shooting off Poole in July, by 

 observing several guillemots in full winter dress. Some days ago 

 I noticed a curious habit these birds have oijlying through waves. 

 I do not know if this habit has been noticed before, but it struck 

 me at the time as curious. I was out sailing on a day when the 

 south-east wind was sending some good-sized rollers into the bay, 

 which made shooting almost impossible. Accordingly I employed 

 my time in watching the birds around me, and whilst noticing the 

 action of a small flock of guillemots two of the birds took wing, 

 and, barely skimming over the water, flew through, and not over, 

 the advancing waves, continuing their flight in this way for a 

 considerable distance. 



Skuas. — About a fortnight ago a small flock of skuas made its 

 appearance in the bay. I noticed several of them chasing kitti- 

 wakes off Livermead. Judging by size, I think they must have 

 been pomarines (Lestris pomarmus) : this is the least rare of 

 its kind, and visits our coast almost yearly during the cold 

 season. 



Manx Shearwater. — As usual, there are at present to be found 

 about the bay a fair number of divers and a few grebes (Podiceps 

 cristatus, P. cornutus and P. minor), with the common species of 

 gulls, but no uncommon birds, with the exception of a Manx shear- 

 water {Puffinus Anglorum) has been killed. The shearwater was 

 shot on the 3rd of November last. These birds very rarely enter 

 the bay, although very large flocks are said to be seen occasionally 

 some distance out at sea. 



The only land birds killed of late that I consider worth recording 

 are the following : — 



Firecresled Wren.— A male, Torquay, March 3rd, 1873. 



Longeared Owl. — A pair, Torquay, December I7th, 1873. Mr. 

 Shopland, the Torquay birdstuffer, informs me that both species of 

 eared owls can only be considered as rare visitants to this neigh- 

 bourhood. 



Common ^M^^arc?.— Examined, in the flesh, a fine female which 

 had been trapped at Newton Abbot on the 10th of January. 



Black Redstart. — Two adult males were killed in a garden in 

 this town last month. 



