4300 THE ZooLocisT—JANUARY, 1875. 
into the ‘ Zoologist’ of this month (S.S. 4262). The bird mentioned as an 
immature little gull is a very pretty specimen of Sabine’s gull (Xema 
Sabini), and probably a bird of the year. It closely resembles the young 
bird in Mr. Gould’s plate, with the exception of the white markings on the 
wings and tail-feathers being rather less well defined. The bird was picked 
up ina most emaciated state on the 26th of October, after a very heavy 
gale, at Nobold, about two miles south-west of Shrewsbury. The sex 
was not distinguishable. I believe this to be the first Shropshire-killed 
specimen on record.—John Rocke; Clungunford House, Aston-on-Clun, 
Shropshire, December 11, 1874. 
Pomatorrhine Skua at Instow.—Being lately at Instow, I heard that 
about the date Mr. Rickards obtained his two pomatorrhine skuas on the 
opposite flats of Northam, a bird, which, from the description given me, 
Ihave no doubt was a third example of this species of skua, was seen on 
the sands, very near to some of the houses, devouring the body of a dead 
rat. I was told that the bird was so tame or so intently occupied with its 
dainty meal that it allowed the boys of the place to pelt it with stones, and 
was actually nearly knocked down with a stick before it was frightened 
away. ‘The pomatorrhine skua is an addition to the list of birds which 
within my experience have been seen in the Taw and Torridge estuary.— 
Murray A. Mathew. 
Large Number of the Greater Shearwater off the Coasts of Devon and 
Cornwall.—Since my recent note on the occurrence of the greater shear- 
water off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall (Zool. S. 8. 4262), I have been 
informed that the gentleman who shot two or three from his yacht, and 
brought them to Plymouth for the purpose of having their skins made into 
screens, said that off the Start Point there were hundreds of them, and that 
he could have killed any number had he only known they were at all rare 
or of any value whatever. Although I have made every inquiry, on account 
of the many letters I have received from ornithological friends residing in 
various parts of the country, begging me to secure specimens for their 
collections, yet I cannot learn of any more having been since obtained 
either on the Devon or Cornish coasts.—J. Gatcombe ; 8, Lower Durnford 
Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, December 11, 1874. 
Richardson’s Skua and Storm Petrel at Formby, Lancashire.—A fine 
specimen of Richardson’s skua was secured on the beach here last week but 
one, and is now preserved among my collection of local birds. In October, 
last year, I obtained a storm petrel in this parish, within thirteen miles of 
Liverpool; on Christmas-day another was brought to me-—John Wrigley ; 
Formby.—‘ Field,’ October 31, 1874. 
