4448 Tue ZooLocist—May, 1875. 
Ornithological Notes from Devonshire, Cornwall, &c. 
By Joun GatcomBE, Esq. 
(Continued from §. 8. 4373.) 
FEBRUARY, 1875. 
Ist. Fieldfares still very numerous but exceedingly wild, and 
notwithstanding the present mildness of the weather yet remain 
in immense flocks close to the town, instead of retiring to the 
moors, as they generally do on the breaking up of the frost, 
appearing to have an instinctive knowledge of a second visitation 
of severe weather being near at hand. 
8rd. Observed several blackheaded buntings near Plymouth, 
a species not at all common in this immediate neighbourhood. 
A very large flock of ducks was seen flying high, seawards, this 
morning. 
13th. Examined a guillemot which had partly assumed its 
breeding plumage. Two beautiful shieldrakes were bought in the 
Devonport market, also a brent goose. In the stomachs of the 
shieldrakes I found nothing but fine sand. 
15th. Herring gulls commencing their laughing notes, as in the 
breeding season. Razorbills very numerous, but I have as yet 
seen none assuming the summer dress. 
20th. Golden plovers in the market with partially black breasts. 
Saw a redthroated diver and some guillemots, the latter in full 
breeding plumage. 
23rd. Another immature redthroated diver, and I also remarked 
a variety of the redwing, which had a white patch on its rump, but 
was otherwise in the usual plumage. Some of the pied wagtails 
have already nearly completed their nuptial garb. 
24th. The weather has again become extremely cold, and the 
fieldfares have certainly proved themselves weather-wise in re- 
maining near the town. A young blackthroated diver was killed 
to-day. Mr. John Sclater, in his interesting “ Notes from Castle 
Eden” (S. 8. 4401) says that he had a young female redthroated 
diver exactly corresponding with Bewick’s “lesser imber,” but as 
Bewick’s figure and description were evidently taken from an im- 
mature or winter specimen of the blackthroated diver, I think it 
probable that Mr. Sclater’s bird might be of that species. The 
