SOMERSETSHIRE BIRDS. 175 



Sea," which in former times was applied to the Bristol Channel 

 as far down as Lundy Island, I should hardly consider the 

 estuary of the Severn itself as extending beyond the junction of 

 the Bristol Avon, which river forms the boundary of the county 

 as far up as Bristol. But whether we call it the Bristol 

 Channel, or use the older but perhaps more suitable title of the 

 Severn Sea, though its shores and waters have added vast 

 numbers of birds, these like " our enforced sins, stand more for 

 number than account," many of the species occurring in such 

 numbers on our coasts making their appearance as passing 

 migrants and stragglers in Wilts and other inland counties. 

 The reviewer, after comparing the numbers of the Wiltshire and 

 Somersetshire birds adds, " this also testifies very plainly to the 

 powers of observation exercised by the men of Wiltshire ; " 

 perhaps it also testifies equally plainly to the greater caution 

 exercised by the men of Somerset in admitting " escapes " and 

 doubtful species. I have not, I am sorry to say, been able yet 

 to read Mr. A. C. Smith's ' Birds of Wilts,' though I hope to 

 do so soon. I have no doubt, however, he has exercised due 

 caution in this matter. 



As the records of the new birds added to the Somerset- 

 shire list since 18G9 are somewhat scattered through the pages 

 of ' The Zoologist,' and a few appear not to have been recorded, 

 I think it may be useful if I collect the records, and add a list 

 giving the date of the record of the first occurrence where more 

 than one. I take them in the order in which I find the 

 records : — 



Rose-coloured Pastor, Pastor roseus, Zool. 1869, p. 1866.— 

 from ' The Field.' 



White's Thrush, Turdus varius, C. S., Zool. 1870, p. 2018. 



Wood Sandpiper, Totanus glareola, C. S., Zool. 1871, p. 2441. 



Great Bustard, Otis tarda, Halting, Zool. J871, p. 2477. 



Iceland Gull, Larus leucopterus, C. S., Zool. 1871, p. 2488. 



Red-necked Grebe, Podicsps griseigena, C. S., Zool. 1871, 

 p. 2563. 



Sanderling, Calidris arenaria, C. S., Zool. 1873, p. 3627.* 



Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus, C. S., Zool. 1874, p. 3869. 



* I shot one in May, 1872, the first I ever saw on our coast. Mr. Gurney 

 showed me one he had shot at Minehead seven years ago, but it is by 

 no means a common bird with us. 



