Notes on Birds in 1878-9, by T. H. Gibb. 513 



all sides by the gables of three storied dwellings, in the very 

 centre of the town, and the query as to how it found out the 

 crumbs that were placed on a window-sill for a solitary Eobin — 

 a constant visitor — is difficult to explain. 



Game-birds, except those that had food placed for their sus- 

 tenance, suffered severely. Partridges left to shift for them- 

 selves were reduced to skin and bone. A Blackcock was found 

 frozen to death on a hedge (where a haw or two yet remained) 

 many miles seaward of the heather hills and alder glens asso- 

 ciated with its economy. 



The Falconil^e, on the contrary, fared well in the hard times, 

 exemplifying in a marked degree the truth of the old adage that 

 "its an ill wind that blows no one good;" the frost and cold 

 having weakened their prey beyond their power of escape. 

 Gamekeepers speak of a sad destruction amongst hares and 

 rabbits — the first-named having especially suffered — their pined 

 carcases having been found in the snow in great numbers. 



The Little Auk (Alca Alle) has again been very numerous, 

 and individuals have been found in the most unlikely places. I 

 had the remains of one sent me by Mr Huggup of Shielddyke, 

 which his shepherd had found on a moor many miles from the 

 German Ocean ; whilst others have been found in equally un- 

 likely places. 



Grebes have been more than usually numerous— particularly 

 in the waters contiguous to Holy Island. The merry little Dab- 

 chick ( Colymbus minor) I have often observed in the river Aln, 

 sporting in the water in its usual quaint style. I have also had 

 sent to me the Sclavonic Grebe (C. comutus), and its rarer con- 

 gener, the Eed-Necked Grebe ( C. rubricollis), which were shot 

 near Boulmer. The fine orange yellow with which the base of 

 the mandibles of the last named bird is adorned was vividly 

 bright. 



During the last week in January, and up to the close time for 

 shooting, large numbers of Brent Geese {Anas Bernicla) were 

 procured all along our coast ; indeed these birds have not been 

 so numerous for many years. It was rather curious to observe 

 that, whilst Mallard, "Wigeon, and other congenerous species 

 migrated from Fenham to the South, at the depth of the storm, 

 the Brents seemed quite content with their quarters, and never 

 left them. 



