BIRD OBSERVATIONS IN EUROPE 



July', August and September, igo6 



7ULY 16th. Stormy Petrel. A small 

 flock flying back and forth at the stern 

 of the ship in mid-ocean. They looked so 

 small and so black, and the rump so white. 

 They flew like martins, and kept close to 

 the water. They followed the ship for 

 some days. 



July 20th. Herring Gulls. Seen before 

 land was in sight. As we came nearer land 

 they came in crowds, and followed the ship 

 for food. 



July 20th. Lesser Black-Backed Gulls. 

 I felt satisfied it was this species that 

 mingled with the herring gulls — though 

 their backs were not black, but brownish, 

 not in full plumage yet. 



July 20th. Puffin. Close to the English 

 coast one of these queer birds was sitting 

 in the water. His bill gave him the effect 

 of wearing a red mask, and he looked like 

 a clown. He half tumbled, half flew out 

 of the way of the ship. 



July 2 ist. House Sparrow. First bird 



[I7i J 



