NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 279 
_ our rivers, but some had already taken themselves off to the moors. 
A few Black-headed Gulls had left for their nesting quarters. On 
the 10th many Kittiwakes were brought to a local birdstuffer, but 
I found among them only one that had assumed the nuptial attire. 
Razorbills and Guillemots were at the same time obtained in full 
summer dress. A Gannet and Manx Shearwater were also shot, 
and I was informed that hundreds of the latter species might have 
been seen in the channel off Plymouth. On the 13th I met with 
many more flocks of Redshanks, and I understand that within the 
last few years immense flocks have remained on our rivers during 
the winter. The Lesser Black-backed Gulls had completely taken 
the place of the Great Black-backed, and were to be seen daily 
flying in pairs on all parts of the coast and in our harbours, some- 
times resting on the mud-banks in large flocks. [I am sorry to add 
that, up to April 1st, numbers were wantonly killed. It is a great 
pity that gulls and other sea birds should be destroyed so shortly 
before their breeding time. 
I noticed Black Redstarts in two localities near Plymouth until 
March 17th, but soon after that date they had nearly all left the 
coast. Titlarks were daily to be seen mounting in the air, as in the 
nesting season, and Mews (Larus canus) were plentiful in our 
harbours, as they generally are just before leaving for their 
breeding places. 
Mr. Clogg sends me word that he saw a flock of Whimbrels on 
March 2lst, also some Turnstones and a Chiffchaff. I never met 
with the Whimbrel so early myself, indeed not before the end of 
April; but Mr. Stevenson, in his ‘ Birds of Norfolk,’ says that it 
may be occasionally seen in March and April, though of course 
the main body comes in May. Possibly the birds seen by Mr. 
Clogg might have wintered in the locality. 
1 remarked the first pair of Wheatears for the season in the 
vicinity of Plymouth, on March 26th; and on the 28th many more 
Redshanks on the mud-banks of the St. Germain’s River, hence, as 
they remain with us during the winter, and I believe until late in 
spring, | am beginning to hope that, if unmolested, some may at 
length be induced to nest in the neighbourhood. 
On} April 10th I observed a Blackcap and Tree Pipit in the 
neighbourhood of Plymouth, and found Chiffchafis very plentiful. 
There were still a few Redshanks on the mud-banks of the St. 
Germain’s River. On the 14th I visited the cliffs of Wembury, at 
