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Ornithological Notes for 1871. By T. H. Gibb. 



Little Bittern, Ardea minuta. — A fine male of this rare 

 species, in adult plumage, was captured early in May, on the 

 Cawledge, a small rivulet which empties itself into the river 

 Aln, about two miles from Alnwick. It was flushed from the 

 ground by Mr Chrisp of Hawkhill and another gentleman, 

 and after a short flight alighted on a tree, where it remained 

 for nearly an hour before it was shot ; displaying such immo- 

 bility as to appear more like a part of the branch on which it 

 was perched, than a thing possessing life. The proneness of 

 the Bitterns to remain inactive when disturbed or threatened 

 with danger, in localities offering ready and safe retreats, seems 

 strange ; nevertheless, it is a notable trait in their character, 

 and one that I have often seen practised in North America 

 by their congener, A. lentiginosa. 



Raven, Corvus corax. — A pair bred on the Cheviot range. 

 The most, if not all of theii young were captured. I procured 

 one, which is now in the possession of Mr Moffit of Beanley. 



Velvet Scoter, Anas fusca. — In the month of August, a 

 male in very pefect plumage was captured alive, in an ex- 

 hausted condition, on our sea-board, on a point of rocks left 

 dry by the receding tide. It is the first I have seen in this 

 locality, and it may perhaps be difficult to account for its 

 appearance here at the above-mentioned season of the year ; 

 as I am not aware that it has ever been observed before, 

 except as an occasional winter visitant. 



Purple Sandpiper, Tringa nigricans. — A short time ago 

 this bird was very numerous on the adjacent coast. In 

 December as many as five specimens were shot in one week. 



Tufted Duck, Anas fuligula. — A beautiful male was shot 

 in February, 1871, in the river Aln, about one mile from the 

 sea. This handsome little duck is now and again observed on 

 the Northumbrian coast. 



Bohemian Waxwing, Ampelis garrulus. — A specimen of 

 this bird was killed by a boy, with a catapult, on November 

 15th, near Acklington Station, on the North-Eastern Railway. 

 The Waxwing visits us occasionally in small flocks, and was 

 more than ordinarily numerous in 1868, when many specimens 

 were procured. 



Bittern, Ardea stellaris. — A specimen was caught near 

 Felton, on November 22nd, in an exhausted state. A very 

 magnificent male was shot on the 4th of January, 1872, near 



