The Zoologist— SEPTfiMBEK, 1874. 4133 



Rooks. — May 18. This afternoon, while walking across the 

 grassy plain contiguous to Northara sand-hills, I noticed a number 

 of rooks busily feeding, and as I approached they all flew away 

 with the exception of four. These were squatted on the ground 

 with their heads thrust out in front of them, and I fancied at first 

 they were dead, but on nearing them they one by one exhibited 

 signs of life, raised themselves on their legs, stretched their wings 

 over their backs, and flew ofl". The last bird, however, before 

 rising permitted me to walk within a couple of yards of it, and 

 I was then able to observe that its eyes were closed, and that it was 

 evidently fast asleep or basking in the warm rays of the sun. 



Burrow Duck. — May 18. In the grassy plain above mentioned 

 there is a large shallow pool, and as I was passing at some distance 

 1 saw four ducks swimming about, and at first paid but little 

 attention to them, fancying they were domestic birds from a neigh- 

 bouring farm. However, when I again looked at them, there was 

 something about them which struck me as being queer, for they 

 seemed to be all of the same plumage, a circumstance which would 

 have been somewhat unusual had they been tame ducks. I accord- 

 ingly turned and walked towards them, and on getting within a 

 couple of hundred yards discovered they were magnificent old 

 burrow ducks. They looked superb with the bright sun shining 

 on their striking plumage, and as I approached nearer they began 

 to show signs of uneasiness, as they swam close together and 

 repeatedly raised themselves in the water, at the same time thrusting 

 their necks forwards and upwards to their full extent, and snapping 

 their bright red bills. (This habit among ducks is, I believe, a 

 sign of anger.) They allowed me to walk right up to the water's 

 edge, and were then not more than thirty yards from me. I clapped 

 ray hands, and three of them rose and flew off, exhibiting their 

 beautiful plumage to great advantage. The fourth bird refused to 

 move, and paid uo attention to my shouting or clapping. From 

 their size and general appearance these were evidently all males, 

 and their mates were probably breeding among the sand-hills on 

 Braunton Burrows. 



W/iimbreL— May 19. Many flocks of these birds were observed 

 to-day, flying about in an excited manner and continually calling 

 to each other. From this I fancy they are just about to leave for 

 their breeding-grounds. 



Dunlin.— May 19. Saw a flock of about twenty on the " black 



SECOND SERIES— VOL. IX. 2 U 



