NOTES AND QUERIES. 29 



where it perched on the topmost twig for at least a minute. The keeper 

 remarked that he had never seen a Snipe percli before ; I have read of 

 such things, but never till then witnessed the fact. Is it a usual habit 

 with the Snipe? I may as well add my mite of information on the subject 

 of Snipe "drumming," which some people say is caused by the motion of 

 the wings. I particularly noticed, and also called the keeper's attention to 

 the circumstance, that when we heard the humming noise, the birds were 

 coming in a slanting direction towards the earth, and that, invariably, the 

 wings were kept stretched out at full extent, and not moved in the slightest 

 degree. I cannot say positively that the sound was caused by the vibration 

 of the tail-feathers ; but I am quite certain that the wings were motionless, 

 for one bird came down within two or three yards of where we were 

 standing. — T. H. Nelson (Bishop Auckland). 



Surf Scoter on the Coast of Lancashire. — When sailing in the 

 estuary of the river Eibble, about 2 p.m. on the 9th December, 1882, 

 I shot a fine female Surf Scoter, (Edemia jjersjncUlata. It was swimming 

 about 500 yards from the shore opposite Lytham. The bird was quite 

 alone, and allowed my boat to approach within about fifty yards, when 

 I fired and killed it. I find only twelve instances of its occurrence in 

 British waters mentioned in Harting's 'Handbook of British Birds' (p. 162). 

 I may add that the bird has been seen and identified by my friend Mr. A. G. 

 More, of the Science and Art Museum, Dublin, so that no doubt remains 

 as to the correctness of the name. — Richard H. Thompson (Lytham, 

 Lancashire). 



Ornithological Notes from the Isle of Wight.— I am informed by 

 Mr. Rogers, of Freshwater, that the under-mentioned birds — some of them 

 of rare occurrence — have been seen or procured in that neighbourhood 

 during the past year. Last February a Glaucous Gull appeared off Fresh- 

 water during a severe gale, soaring at a great height, but occasionally 

 alighting on the broken water or skimming the waves with light and 

 buoyant flight; it was eventually shot by Mr. Rogers's son, and proved 

 to be a male in perfect plumage. A pair of Bohemian Waxwings were 

 procured in April, in perfect summer plumage, having the wax-like 

 appendages on the tail as well as on the wings. Several others were met 

 with, but not molested, Mr. Rogers thinking they might possibly remain 

 to breed, but all had disappeared by the end of May. The Waxwing is 

 generally supposed to be a winter visitant only. A pair of Peregrines 

 having been shot at Freshwater during the summer, a second pair appeared 

 and nested in the cliff, eggs were laid, but no young reared. Mr. Rogers 

 tells me that some years since, a male Peregrine liaving been killed, in the 

 course of ten days another male appeared ; but the female was then shot, 

 and the male had to seek another partner, which was also shot, and falling 



