166 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



On December 7th, wind N.N.E., snow having fallen during 

 the previous night and early morning, flocks of Sky Larks and 

 Redwings were seen continually passing over from east to north- 

 west until dark. In the markets were numbers of Wigeon, Teal, 

 a few Golden-eyes, and one young White-fronted Goose. Red- 

 shanks were also to be seen, and many Herons and Kingfishers 

 found their way to the birdstuffers' shops. I have often remarked 

 that the two last-mentioned species suffer much during severe 

 cold. During this month I met with an unusual variety of the 

 Oystercatcher, having a narrow white streak or band running 

 from the base of the under mandible down the throat and 

 joining the collar on the neck. In the stomach of this bird 

 were small mussels and a piece of slate. 



Many Great Black-backed Gulls made their appearance 

 about this date in our harbours, which they generally do about 

 Christmas. On the 28th there was a Turnstone and Dipper 

 in the market, — the latest date for the Turnstone I have ever 

 noted in this locality, — also a Greenshank which had nearly 

 attained its full winter plumage, the general tint of which, on 

 the upper parts, was a very pale and pleasing grey. 



On January 15th there were numbers of Razorbills in small 

 parties, on the water and on the wing, flying swiftly about in 

 every direction — a sight seldom witnessed in the harbour or 

 Sound. There were also some more Northern Divers on the 

 coast. On the 16th a Black Guillemot, Uria grylle, in weather- 

 worn winter plumage, was brought in to be preserved, but I could 

 not ascertain exactly where it was shot. It is a bird rarely 

 met with in this locality, and the last I saw was brought from 

 Falmouth, and had been killed by a friend of mine in that 

 harbour. The stomach of the present specimen contained nothing 

 but shrimps or young prawns. About this date I examined 

 another young Red-breasted Merganser, a Great Spotted Wood- 

 pecker, and a variety of the Starling in very light brown or drab- 

 coloured plumage, all the spots and markings appearing as if 

 nearly washed out. This variety, I think, is not uncommon. 



On the morning of January 25th an immature Iceland Gull 

 made its appearance in the harbour after a very strong wind 

 from the S.S.E., which by the 26th had increased to a heavy gale 

 to the north-west, with hail and snow. Razorbills were flying 

 about like wildfowl. 



