Natural History in the English Counties, 177 



and of a dusky black, J. — T. minuta, Least Sandpiper. I shot a specimen 

 of this scarce species at Swanpool, in September, 1822, and have seen one 

 shot there since. These are the only specimens I have ever met with. .7. — 

 T. lobata. Grey Phalarope ; not uncommon on the coast in winter, but their 

 habits make them seem so rare. They never perch on rocks or the sands ; 

 but alight on the water with ease, and are capable of swimming against a 

 rapid tide. Not shy. 



Charadrius Hiaticula, Ring Plover ; seen in the depth of winter. — C. Ca- 

 lidris, Sanderling; scarce. I have seen two matured specimens shot at 

 Swanpool, and once found a small flock of young ones there. 



Recurvirostra Avosetta^ Avoret. I have seen this bird at Swanpool j and 

 there is a specimen, in the museum at Truro, that was shot there. 



Haematopus ostralegus. Oyster-catcher ; rather rare. 



i^ulica aterrima. Greater Coot. Of several specimens which I have ex- 

 amined, not one had the white spot under the eye, as in F. atra. This 

 induces me to consider it as a separate species from the latter bird. C. 



^colopax Phaeopus, Whimbrel. Arrives in flocks, in May, and is called 

 the May-bird. 



Tantalm Falcinellus, Bay Ibis. Two specimens of this bird (now regarded 

 as the same with T. igneus, the Glossy Ibis) were killed near Helston, in June, 

 1825 ; and two others, at the same time, near Penzance : one of them is now 

 in the Truro museum. 



J'rdea G^rus, Crane. A specimen killed in 1828, in the collection of Mr, 

 Drew, Devonport — A. Garzetta^ Egret. Two specimens were shot near 

 Penzance, in April, 1824 \ one of which is now in possession of Mr. John. 

 J, — A. purpurea, Purple Heron. In May, 1822, this bird flew on board a 

 fishing-boat of Polpeno, and was taken. 



Colymbus glacialis. Northern Diver. A specimen was taken in May, 

 1823, by one of the Polpeno fishermen, as it lay asleep on the water. It 

 lived for at least a month in confinement, being cai-ried to the water every 

 day. — C. urinator; common on the coast in winter. I believe this to be 

 the Crested Grebe, in its winter plumage. — C. auritus. Eared Grebe. A 

 male specimen, in fine plumage, was taken near Truro, in April, 1829, and 

 is now in the museum there. — C. rubricollis Latham, Red-necked Grebe ; 

 rare. A specimen killed in Falmouth harbour, and another at Looe. — C, 

 Tmmcr, Imber ; common in winter. Two of these birds remained near Looe 

 the whole summer of 1828. J. 



Pelecanus Ccirbo, Corvorant; rather uncommon. The white spot on the 

 thigh easily distinguishes this, even when flying from the shag, and is thus dis- 

 tinguished by the fishermen as having a watch under his wing, — P. G^ra- 

 culus. Shag. Wherever these birds go to fish for the day, they return to 

 theu- home about sunset, proceeding in a straight line nearly level with the 

 sea, if the weather be fine ; but at a good height if the weather be rough, or 

 likely to be so. 



ilfergus Castor, Dun Diver ^ rare. — M. albellus. Smew ; rare only in 

 severe winters. 



Sterna cantlcea. Sandwich Tern. I shot a specimen at Looe, out of a 

 flock, in March, 1828, the only time I have seen them. J. 



iarus Rissa, Kittiwake. The young birds, with the dark spot behind the 

 ear, not uncommon in summer. — L. crepidatus. Black-toed Gull. Caught 

 near Falmouth, in 1824. — Z/, parasiticus, Arctic Gull; common on the 

 coast during the pilchard fishery. — L. minutus. Little Gull. A specimen 

 in fine preservation, shot in Falmouth harbour, in October, 1824, is now in 

 my collection at Looe. J, 



yl'nas nigra. Scoter ; common on the coast in winter. — A. clypeata. Sho- 

 veller. One shot in Swanpool, in the winter of 1826. J, — A. Querquedula, 

 Gai'ganey ; scarce, as are most of the duck tribe. 



^'Ica A'lle ; scarce. Two specimens killed in Falmouth harbour. 



Vol. IIL — No. 12. n 



