NOTES AND QUERIES. 151 
is to be inferred that it is not Bulwer's, but Wilson’s Petrel, Oceanites 
oceanica. It was found dead on the shore of Freshwater Bay, Isle of 
Wight, last autumn, after a severe storm, and is now in the collection 
of Dr. Hollis, of Freshwater. This is the second Wilson's Petrel which 
has been picked up at or near Freshwater (cf. Yarrell, ‘ British Birds,’ 
iv. p. 50), or at any rate, which is said to have been found there.—J. H. 
Gurney, Jun. (Keswick Hall, Norwich). 
Reported Nesting of the Black Redstart in Essex.—With reference 
to the record by Mr. W. R. Ogilvie Grant (Zool. 1888, p- 390) of this 
Species having bred, early in May last, “in a hole in an ivy-covered oak 
tree” growing in Danbury Park, having, through the kindness of Mr. Grant 
himself, had an opportunity of inspecting the nest and eggs at the Natural 
History Museum, I should like to say that, in my opinion, the eggs and 
nest are undoubtedly those of a Robin. The white variety of the eggs of 
this bird may almost be called common, and I have repeatedly either taken 
or heard of such in this district. The nest is composed externally of dead 
hazel- or oak-leaves, the interior being constructed of bents, fine roots, and 
skeletonized leaves, lined with fine grass and a very little hair. I consider 
it a typical Robin’s nest in all respects, except that it contains no moss. 
The two eggs which have been preserved differ much in size. The larger 
and normal one measures ‘8 by °6 of an inch, almost exactly, these being 
the average dimensions of Robins’ eggs. ‘The other egg is very much 
smaller, and is evidently an abnormal egg, such as might be expected from 
a weak or injured Robin laying colourless unspotted eggs. I have not yet 
seen the site of the nest, but I feel confident the nest is that of a Robin, 
and that the “dark-coloured bird with a red tail,” which Mr. Grant’s 
informant thought she saw leave the nest was a Redstart with a nest 
somewhere in the immediate vicinity. The breeding of the Black Redstart 
in England has been several times recorded on very doubtful grounds, but 
never yet satisfactorily established. MiLLER Curisty (Chignal St. James, 
Chelmsford). 
Diving Powers of Gannets.— Having read Mr. Collison-Morley’s 
enquiry about the diving powers of Gannets (p. 25), I am induced to 
forward the following notes on the subject. I have at different times had 
the pleasure of watching great numbers of Gannets feeding, both when 
immature and adult, and I can assure those who have never seen it that 
it is a treat that will repay a walk of miles. Their mode of feeding is quite 
different to that of any other large sea-birds. The nearest approach to it 
is seen in the larger Terns, but the latter seize their prey either on or near 
the surface, and seldom go out of sight; whereas Gannets will remain 
immersed for some seconds, the time, of course, varying with the depth at 
which the fish are swimming. As to the depth they may be able to dive, 
