4134 The Zoologist — September, 1874. 



rocks." They were very tarae, and did not rise till my father 

 nearly trod on ihem. 



Curlew. — May 19. A ^eyf about, but they are probably stragglers 

 from the moors, where they must now be breeding. 



Oijslercatcher. — May 23. Saw four to-day feeding on the "black 

 rocks." These birds are nearly always to be" seen at any time of 

 the year in this locality, so I conclude some very old or barren 

 individuals remain here throughout the summer, while the chief 

 body migrate to their breeding-grounds, though it is possible a few 

 may breed at no great distance from this place. 



Gree/ishaiik.— May 23. One of these birds flew over my head 

 to-day, uttering its peculiar cry. 



Arctic Terns. — May 23. A number of these birds have been 

 observed every day for the past week. They come in with the 

 flood-tide, following the sand-eels, or " brit," as the fishermen call 

 them, and we often see them plunge into the water right in front 

 of our windows. When the tide begins to flow they pursue the 

 little fish up the Torridge for a short distance above Instow, and 

 on reaching a certain point they all suddenly wheel round and 

 return in a closely-packed flock to the confluence of the Taw and 

 Torridge, where they turn again and commence fishing up the latter 

 river, and this manoeuvre they repeat again and again. Yesterday 

 morning, while my father and I were fishing for bass, many of these 

 pretty and fearless birds came so close to our boat that we thought 

 at times they contemplated making a dash at the white flies we 

 were using. 



Herring Gtill. — May 23. This afternoon, while in a boat on 

 the river, I noticed one of these gulls fishing in a manner I never 

 remember having seen one adopt before. It flew close above the 

 surface, and every now and then threw itself into the water, and 

 appeared to try and scoop up the small fish which the bass, who 

 were "playing" near, had no doubt frightened to the surface. 

 This it repeated for at least a dozen times. I have seen boobies 

 and pelicans fishing in a somewhat similar manner, but never 

 a gull. 



Merganser. — May 26. This morning, while bass fishing at the 

 confluence of the Taw and Torridge, one of these birds flew close 

 to our boat. It was in fine plumage, and appeared to be a female. 

 The fishermen in this neighbourhood call this bird the " spike- 

 billed wigeon." 



