Birds, 6977 



unnoticed, but I would not have it even appear that the inspired writer had 

 " no information '' on the subject. — Id. 



Occurrence of the Goatsucker (Caprimulgus europueus). — On February 19th, when 

 walking on the public road near Steep Hill, I was surprised at seeing a bird of this 

 species fly past me. — Id. 



Birds observed between Neiv York and Glasgow : — 



Great Tern {Sterna Hirundo). May 29lh. On leaving the harbour of New York, 

 observed some terns, belonging, I think, to this species ; also a lew gulls, but they 

 were not identified. 



Wilson's Storm Petrel (Thalassidmma Wilsoni). Numbers of these birds were 

 seen, and they continued with us till we reached the longitude of Cape Race, when 

 they gradually disappeared. Though several lines had been suspended at the stern 

 with a view of entangling them, none were secured. They frequently approached 

 within a few yards of the steamer, so that the different shades of the plumage could be 

 observed; the wings are tinged and spotted with reddish brown. The tail appears 

 slightly forked, or rather doubly emarginate, in consequence of the outstretched legs 

 protruding considerably beyond it; and which might possibly lead a casual observer — s 

 who had never before seen iheni on the wing — to mistake them for the fork tailed 

 petrel. On any refuse being thrown oveibourd they invariably gathered round it, but 

 rarely settling on the water for more thau a few seconds at a time, and then with up- 

 raised wings. 



Skua Pirate Bird {Lestris catarracles). Saw what I believe to have been birds of 

 this species, also a few gulls. On getting to the eastward of Newfoundland the former 

 disappeared. 



Guillemot {Uria troile). Wlien about a hundred and fifty miles to the southward 

 of the Cape, numerous flocks of guillemots frequently passed within a few yards of the 

 ship, apparently unconscious of danger. St. John's appears to be one of their chief 

 breeding places, vast numbers of their eggs being found scattered on the rocky and 

 stony declivities of the head-lands of this bold coast ; I saw bushels exposed for sale 

 in July, 1857. 



Parasitic Skua {Lestris parasitica). On the 6th of June, when some degrees to the 

 eastward of Newfoundland, and about half the passage had been accomplished, ob- 

 served a white skua, belonging, I have no doubt, to this species. After hovering over 

 the ship it alighted on the mast-head. On the 7lh, five more were seen following the 

 course of the steamer, but often at such an altitude as to appear mere specks in the 

 sky. The long-pointed wings were seemingly much curved, and I had also remarked 

 on the previous day, when the bird was seated on the truck, that the centre tail-feathers 

 are very elongated, which agrees with Temminck's description, "longueur des filets, 

 de 6 a 8 ponces." He also observes of its habits, " tres abondant sur les bancs de 

 Terre Neuve." 



White-winged Gull {Larus leucopterus). June 8th: there are generally a few 

 gulls in sight, but to-day I observed them following in the wake of the vessel, and 

 wheeling round as they approached the stern ; their flight is most buoyant. It is the 

 same species that I had noticed on the outward voyage in July, 1857, and which I 

 have now no reason to doubt is the Larus leucopterus. The head, neck and belly are 

 white; the upper parts cinereous or bluish gray. But its distinguishing mark, as I 

 formerly observed, is the patch of white on the margin of the gray wing, which looks 

 XVIII. 2 B 



