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NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
THE PACIFIC EIDER AGAIN. 
We have more than once referred to the reported occurrence 
of the Pacific Eider (Somazeria v-nigrum) in Britain, a record 
based upon a specimen shot in the Orkneys in 1904, which was 
sent to a Scarborough dealer, who sold it to a gentleman in 
Oldham. Mr. F. Smalley, in the August ‘ British Birds,’ gives 
what is perhaps the last word on the subject, having examined 
the Oldham specimen, and also several others. He concludes 
that the Pacific Eider is still to be recorded for Britain, the 
supposed occurrences being merely examples of the Common 
Eider, which had more or less distinct V-marks under the 
throat. Mr. Smalley gives illustrations of the chins and throats 
of the Pacific Eider, and also of a variety of the Common Eider, 
from which the differences between the markings on the two 
species is clearly shown. It is considered that the occasional 
indistinct V-mark on the examples of the Common Eider is an 
instance of ‘reversion.’ 
FOOD OF THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 
There has. recently been much discussion on the usefulness 
or otherwise of the Black-headed Gull, but after the excellent 
and exhaustive report by Messrs. D. Losh Thorpe and L. E. 
Hope, recently issued for the Cumberland County Council, this 
discussion will surely cease. The report is really a fine piece 
of work, and reflects every credit upon the authors. Circulars 
were forwarded to leading naturalists, as well as to well-known 
farmers, gamekeepers, and anglers. These contained the 
questions :—(1) ‘Do you consider the Black-headed Gull harm- 
ful to. the fishing or farming industries? State reasons’ ; 
(2) ‘Have you ever examined the gullet and stomach of this 
Gull? . If so, what were the contents?’ and (3) ‘What in 
your opinion is the staple food of this Gull?’ Sixty-two replies 
were given to these queries, and these are carefully tabulated 
and summarised. In addition, the authors have, during a period 
of thirteen months, examined the contents of the stomachs and 
gullets of 100 birds. The results of this examination are given 
in detail and tabulated—the material being preserved in spirits. 
The report is distinctly in favour of the birds, which are 
evidently not so black as they have been painted. We only 
regret our space prevents us from referring to this work: in 
greater detail. 
1907 October 1. 
