442 . THE BIRDS OF DEVQX. 



backed, Herrin2:-, and Glaucous Gulls, vrhile Little Auk-, Fulmars, 

 Guillemots, &c. were in hundreds (G. F. !M., in litt. Dec. 19th, 1891). 



Sabine's Gull (p. 387). — Mr. T. Cooper, taxidermist, of Poolo, Dorset, 

 turwardod a list of rare birds that had recently been obtained in 

 Poole Harbour to ' Land and Water ' for March 19th, 1892. In it 

 is included a Sabine's Gull, but the state of plumage and the date of 

 capture are not mentioned, and we suppose that it occurred at the 

 same period when several other examples of this species were secured 

 on the S."\V. coasts, viz. alter the heavy October gales in 1891. 



Buffon's Skua (p. 397). — Mr. T. Cooper also reports two BuiFon's 

 Skuas from Poole Harbour, probably shot in October 1891, when 

 these birds visited other parts of the 8.W. coasts. 



Great Northern Diver (p. 410). — The Divers are extremely inquisi- 

 tive. Mr. J. Tarratt has informed us that in the far north of 

 Xorway a lure of red cloth displayed upon the shore would often be 

 successful in attracting the Great Xorthern Divers to swim within 

 range of a gunner posted in ambush. In Zool. for 1870, p. 478o, 

 Mr. J. Gatcombe records that on Dec. 19th, 1875, there were three 

 of these birds off Firestone Bay, " two of which would turn almost 

 completely over on their backs, with one leg in the air, during the 

 act of preening the feathers of the breast ; they had also a singular 

 ha1)it, whilst swimming, of thrasting out one leg from behind, which 

 thev waved hiirh above the water, like a fan." 



