NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 249 
Tue PorporsE, Phocena communis. 
The superstition of many old seafaring men is well shown in 
the following quotation—the only instance wherein Shakspeare 
mentions the porpoise :— 
“Ist Fisherman. Alas, poor souls! it grieved my heart to hear what 
pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when, well-a-day, we could 
scarce help ourselves. 
3RD FisHERMAN. Nay, master, said not I as much when I saw the 
porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? They say they are half fish, half 
flesh: a plague on them! they ne’er come, but I look to be washed.” 
Pericles. Act ii., Scene 1. 
(To be continued.) 
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM DEVON AND 
CORNWALL. 
By JoHn GatTcoMBE. 
On the 7th March, wind N.N.W., blowing strong but fine, 
Black Redstarts were still on the coast, and Titlarks might be 
seen mounting in the air as in the breeding season. Curlews were 
on the move, and very clamorous when passing overhead at night. 
By the 14th, Grey Wagtails had assumed the black throat, Herring 
Gulls and some Razorbills were in full breeding dress, and Lesser 
Black-backed Gulls were plentiful, in pairs; adult Mews had also 
arrived, but the Black-headed Gulls had by that date left for 
their breeding quarters. Great Black-backed Gulls were not so 
numerous as usual this season, no doubt owing to the mildness of 
_ last winter. 
I feel confident that on March 14th I saw Richard’s Pipit on the 
grassy slope of a cliff, but did not get very near in consequence of 
its flying off inland immediately it caught sight of me. However, 
I think I could hardly have been mistaken, being so well acquainted 
with the appearance and flight of the species in a wild state, having 
at different times met with no less than seven examples in the 
neighbourhood of Plymouth, besides two others that were brought 
to our birdstuffers in the flesh. Two or three Greater Spotted 
Woodpeckers were seen in this locality about the same date. On 
ak 
