NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 457 



4th I saw some Great Black-backed Gulls in perfect breeding 

 plumage ; and examined a Peregrine Falcon, killed in the 

 neighbourhood, the stomach of which contained a piece of slate- 

 stone and the white breast-feathers of a Sandpiper or Snipe. 

 It was an immature bird, but had already begun to moult, several 

 bluish grey feathers appearing on the upper parts. By the 18th 

 many of the Black-headed Gulls had assumed the full dark head, 

 whilst others (seemingly adult) might be seen without a trace of it. 



A Purple Sandpiper was killed on March 3rd, out of a small 

 flock on the rocks of " Drake's Island," in Plymouth Sound, and 

 I heard from the friend who shot it that its stomach contained 

 minute periwinkles. Although this bird remains on the coasts 

 here until rather late in spring, I have never met with any 

 specimens in breeding plumage, although I have received some in 

 that state from Ireland. On March J 1th my friend Mr. H. M . 

 Harrison, who shot the Purple Sandpiper, saw an adult male 

 Smew in the Sound. Adult Smews are rarely seen in this 

 locality, although immature specimens are not unfrequently met 

 with in our markets during severe weather. At this date Razor- 

 bills were very plentiful on the coast, and appeared restless as 

 the breeding season approached, often taking wing and flying 

 swiftly for a short distance apparently without any fixed purpose. 

 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in pairs were also numerous, making 

 a great noise preparatory to leaving for their nesting stations. 

 The first Wheatear was seen here on March 12th. 



On April 4th I examined a Common Buzzard which had been 

 trapped by a keeper, and found in the stomach a quantity of fur 

 and a large white grub of some beetle. A brood of four young 

 Ravens well fledged were taken in the neighbourhood of 

 Plymouth, and kept alive. On the morning of the 13th I 

 observed an immature Iceland Gull in the Sound ; wind S.W., 

 mild and misty ; but towards night it blew a strong gale from the 

 N.W., and the next day this Gull made its appearance in the 

 harbour. Rock Pipits might be seen on the coast moving about 

 with drooping wings, apparently having nests in the vicinity. 

 The first Swallows appeared on April 15th ; wind E., and rather 

 cold. On the 18th I remarked the Iceland Gull again for the 

 last time ; the weather very bright, but the wind strong from the 

 N.W. It was Hying directly over my head, and in the bright 

 sunshine the white flight-feathers of the wings had a very 



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