THE ZooLoGIst—FEBRUARY, 1875. 4331 
atmosphere. But to return to the heron: I think I have said enough 
to show that they would not be likely to choose this place for a 
permanent residence; but I think they ought to be allowed to pay 
these visits,—adding, as they do, so much to the scenery of the 
place,—without forfeiting their lives; for Iam sorry to say they 
are always sure to meet with some swell sportsman, who, being 
tired with shooting at dogs’ heads and men’s gaiters, will turn his 
muzzle to one of these birds, should it cross his path, and add to 
his fame as a marksman by accidentally bringing it down. 
SEPTEMBER. 
Wild Duck.—A young male shot on the 2nd at the mouth ot 
the Dene. Wild ducks are often to be seen passing along the coast, 
but this, the wigeon, teal, common scoter and pochard are all I have 
ever been able to obtain. 
Common Tern.—Very common on the coast just now. 
Great Blackbacked Gull——More common than usual. 
Lesser Blackbacked Gull.—Not so common. 
Herring Gull.—More common: there are more adult birds 
amongst these gulls than I have previously seen here. 
Willow Wren.—29th. I have heard the song of this bird daily 
for the last six or eight days, always at the same place, and most 
likely the same bird. 
Brambling.—On the 30th I saw a large flock of bramblings, 
which alighted on the trees near the house. 
OCTOBER. 
Gray Wagtail.—A fine adult male of this species took up his 
quarters at the house in an enclosed yard, in the centre of which 
stands a game-safe: the top of this safe was his resting-place, when 
he did rest during the day, and where he lodged at night I do not 
know ; but he spent almost all his time in flying at the windows— 
the attraction, I thought, being the flies running on the inside of the 
glass. I tried to catch him by putting a fly on a very small hook 
hung on the outside by very fine gut, all but the fly concealed by 
cobweb, but it remained untouched. He stayed and passed his 
time in the same manner for five days, and then disappeared. 
Green Woodpecker.—I saw one on the 16th, and am told that it 
has been seen in the neighbourhood for a week. This is only the 
third I have met with here in fifteen years. 
