224 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XX. 



some extent in still air necessitating a difference in effort of wing stroke. 

 In both cases this would quickly lead to disintegration of the flock, accurate 

 keeping of station and equality of speed becoming impossible. 



It is probably tbe case therefore that the echelon formation renders import- 

 ant aid to large birds in keeping the flocks intact when on the wing by en- 

 abling the individuals composing the same, while keeping close to each other, 

 to avoid the air disturbances set up by those immediately in front, at the 

 same time ensuring to each a uniform air pressure and outlook to the front. 



The V formation commonly and the Y occasionally seen must necessarily 

 result from the echelon when the rigidity of the flock lines becomes relaxed. 



Half-way up the Red Sea I noticed a falcon (not identified) flying close 

 to the ship. 



At Suez there were a few cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) perched on the 

 buoys in harbour, numbers of L. ridibundus possibly among them, the 

 Adriatic Gull {L. melanocephalus) and a few L. hemprichi. Just before 

 we dropped anchor a single Booby (S. hucogaster) flew across our bows 

 and shortly after a flock of Sandgrouse, species undetermined, was 

 observed crossing from the African to the Asiatic Shore. Steaming slowly 

 into the Canal the mudflats behind Suez came into view covered with flocks of 

 waders bunched together to face the cold north-east wind blowing off tbe 

 desert and out of a leaden sky. Chiefly consisting of Curlew, Whimbrel and 

 Oyster catchers there was one flock of 15 or 20 Spoonbill {Platalea leucerodia) 

 which showed up a vivid patch of white against the dark grey background. 

 Here and there a solitary Heron (Ardea drier ea) stood patiently fishing in the 

 shallows. — Indian waters were left behind ! 



H. A. F. MAGRATH, Major. 



December 1909. 



No. XIX.— THE SMEW (MERGUS ALBELLDS.) 

 Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker in his book Indian Ducks and their Allies writes 

 regarding the Smew (Mergus albellus) that " there seems to be no record of 

 single birds or pairs being obtained." 



While shooting on the River Indus on the 22nd February 1910, I was walk- 

 ing up the bank of a tributary, a stream some 50 yards wide, when I saw two 

 birds in the water some distance ahead of me. Hiding myself, I sent the 

 Shikari round to drive them past me, and succeeded in getting one which 

 proved to be a male Smew in fine condition. Tbe other I failed to get, as it 

 gave me a wide berth the next time this ruse was tried. 



Perhaps this might prove useful as a record of a pair of Smews having been 

 seen. 



R. FRANCIS, Lieut., 

 Dera Ismail Khan, 47th Sikhs. 



N. W. F. Province, 

 27th February 1910. 



