MISCELLANEA. 30 1 



Gull and Tern. — On the 5th June, 1904, about midway 

 between Alnmouth and Warkworth, I observed an Arctic or 

 Common Tern (I could not at the distance say which) chased 

 by a Lesser Black-backed Gull. The tern ascended and 

 descended. The gull was more powerful on the wing and 

 overtook it, but each time the gull neared, the tern by 

 rapidity in wheeling secured the lead again. This continued 

 for a considerable time, the birds going in the direction of 

 Alnmouth. When they got near the bathing houses there 

 the gull discontinued the chase, and the tern proceeded 

 northwards. — W. Mark Pybiis. 



Bernicle Goose near Warkzvorth. — On Saturday, the 8th 

 October, 1904, I crossed on a very high tide, and walked 

 along the top of the sand dunes to Warkworth. Stints and 

 Dunlins were numerous. When about half way to Warkworth 

 I noticed a goose walking about the sand above high water 

 mark, and apparently feeding on the bent grass. It allowed 

 me to approach within a very short distance, and continued 

 feeding undisturbed by my presence. I made some balls of 

 bracken fronds and bent grass and threw them down, but the 

 goose paid little heed. At a distance I took this for the Brent 

 Goose, but I found it to be the Bernicle. Soon a flock of 

 twelve other Bernicle Geese flew overhead at only a short 

 distance above me. The solitary bird remained walking about 

 the sand. It was in good plumage, and I could see no sign 

 of injury. I went down the steep sandy slope, and it allowed 

 me to approach within a very few yards. It then slowly flew 

 away and alighted at a distance of about twenty yards. 

 Whether it was a bird from ornamental waters, or whether it 

 had been wounded or exhausted I am unable to say. On the 

 Sunday morning I walked along the beach again, but I could 

 neither see nor hear anything of the bird. This note I think 

 may be interesting, as the nesting haunts of the Bernicle are 

 almost unknown, and its recorded captures on the Northum- 

 berland coast are by no means numerous. — W. Mark Pyhus. 



