4118 The Zoologist — August, 1874. 



nesting in several localities during tlie last few years. I may mention, 

 in addition to the above, the parishes of Surlinghara, Bramerton, Great 

 Cressingbam, and Hickling. — T. E. Gunn. 



Yellow Wagtail aud Wild Goose near Gaildford. — I have observed 

 several yellow wagtails [MotadUa Jiava) by the side of the Wey near Guild- 

 ford, also on grassy downs, one on the 26th of May, three on the 18th of 

 June, and one since. A flock of wild geese passed over close to this town 

 on the 19th of June, the whole amounting to about fourteen individuals. — 

 TT'". Thomas; St. Catharine's, Guildford, June 22, J874. 



little Bittern in East Yorkshire. — A fine specimen of the little bittern 

 was shot near Easington, in this Riding, on the 25th of May last. It was 

 unfortunately so shattered by the shot as to render it impossible to examine 

 it internally. — F. Boycs. 



How the Puffin ascends to its Nest.— Considering its habits, the puffin, 

 in comparison with most birds building on heights, seems somewhat in- 

 sufficiently provided with the means of getting to its nest. How it contrived 

 during the breeding season to make the frequent ascents necessary whilst 

 feeding its young, was a question to me, until a short visit to Flamborough 

 Head on the 20th of last June explained the process. On the chffs north 

 of the hghthouse numerous guillemots and puffins were nesting. The latter 

 chose the lower cliffs, aud from their boldness their actions were easily 

 watched both from above and below. Their manner of ascending to their 

 nests, which were from fifty to one hundred feet from the sea, was as 

 follows : — The bird rose from the water some way from the shore, flying so 

 as barely to clear the tops of the waves until within fifty yards of the cliffs, 

 when it appeared to depress its tail, which was fully spread, and by extending 

 its webbed feet on either side nearly to double the surface of resistance, its 

 course was changed, aud the bird rose without apparent difficulty to its nest. 

 Whilst thus used the legs were laid along the sides, the inner toe of the 

 extended foot was covered by the outer feather of the tail, the points of 

 the toes did not project beyond the curve formed by the tips of the tail- 

 feathers, the combined arrangement of feet and tail thus forming a short 

 but very powerful instrument, broader in proportion than the tail of most 

 birds at that distance from the body. The habit was common to all the 

 puffins which I saw go to their nests, and I think the guillemots used their 

 feet in a similar manner. ^Miilst rising, the wings were moved with the 

 same regularity as in horizontal flight. It is evident that the use of the 

 tail and feet described must lessen the speed of flight, and the puffin is not 

 eminent for its flying powers. It seemed as if the bird were conscious that 

 it must have plenty of " way" on it at tlie commencement of the rise, aud 

 approached the point at which it began to ascend at a great speed. It 

 occurs to me tbat the weight of the puffin's body must tell in its favour if, 

 as I surmise, the bird ascends by the momentum gained in its level flight 



