THE ZooLocist—FeEBRuARY, 1875. 4325 
Ornithological Notes from Dartmouth. 
By GervasE F. Maruew, Esgq., R.N., F.L.S. 
OcroBER, 1874. 
Gannet.—|st. Walked this afternoon to the Castle at the 
entrance of Dartmouth Harbour. It was rough and squally, with 
a strong wind from the south-west, to seaward a heavy bank of dun- 
coloured clouds bordered the horizon, and below me the waves 
were breaking angrily over the black and jagged rocks, throwing 
foaming jets of spray far up the face of the cliffs. This tempestuous 
state of weather had driven many species of sea-birds near the 
land, especially gannets, many of which were flying high above 
the sea, their snow-white plumage contrasting to great advantage 
against the sombre hue of the clouds. 
Kittiwake.—I1st. Several of these pretty birds were hawking 
over the harbour, in company with their far more numerous 
relatives, the blackheaded gulls. 
Blackheaded Gull and Heron.—8rd. To-day, while travelling 
by train, I noticed, in the low-lying meadows between Starcross 
and Exminster, a great many blackheaded gulls. The weather for 
the two previous days had been exceedingly rough, with high 
west and south-westerly gales, accompanied by torrents of rain, 
causing the dykes which intersect these meadows to overflow their 
banks and form large pools; and around the margins of these the 
gulls had congregated. These beautiful birds were a pleasing addi- 
tion to the landscape, their pure plumage contrasting vividly against 
the bright green grass and heavy black rain-clouds which still 
threatened overhead. Besides these little gulls there were a number 
of herons standing in or by the edges of the pools, and many of 
them paid no heed to the passing train, but kept their heads deeply 
buried amongst the feathers of their shoulders, and seemed to be 
fast asleep. 
Sparrowhawk and Thrush.—18th. While conversing with a 
boatman this afternoon, he informed me that a few days ago, when 
he was at work in his garden, he suddenly heard a scream and 
rushing noise just over his head, and at the same moment a thrush 
fell gasping and fluttering among some lettuces almost at his feet. 
He picked it up at once, but barely had time to look at it when a 
hawk made a stoop and actually attempted to clutch it as he held 
SECOND SERIES—VOL. Ix. I 
