A HISTORY OF 
190. Little Tern. Sterna minuta, Linn. 
By far the least plentiful of the four terns 
that visit us. In thirty-seven years of taxi- 
dermy Mr. A. Covington can remember re- 
ceiving but five local specimens; they came 
from Fenlake, Willington and Harrold, and 
in every instance appeared during their spring 
migration northwards. In addition he men- 
tions a male and female that were shot near 
Willington church in the month of June 
about 1865. Mr. R. J. Cawse has one, he 
says, in his possession which he shot on the 
Ivel at Biggleswade in 1883. I saw a single 
bird on 11 May 1899 at Newnham, which 
was resting upon a small patch of ground in 
one of the flooded parts of the farm. 
191. Black-headed Gull. 
Linn. 
Perhaps the commonest of the sea-gulls that 
one may so frequently observe as far inland 
as Bedfordshire. It evidently seems to be a 
regular migrant, journeying to and from its 
nesting colonies during the spring and autumn, 
but more particularly, I think, during the 
latter period. Often driven inland after heavy 
gales. 
Larus ridibundus, 
192. Common Gull. Carus canus, Linn. 
This is one of the least common of the 
gulls which occur with us. Apparently it 
does not appear in the county with any regu- 
larity in the spring or autumn like several 
others of the gull family, but this may be more 
easily accounted for by the total absence of 
breeding stations in England; their visits 
seem therefore more particularly in the nature 
of winter records, and at this season evidently 
under conditions of stormy weather only. 
Adult plumaged birds are nearly always ob- 
tained. One I have seen was shot at Blun- 
ham in 1836; another was killed near Bed- 
ford on 7 September 1892 and one at the 
Newnham farm on 31 December of the same 
year. On 21 January 1893 one was picked 
up dead at Ravensden, and in February 1900 
one was obtained at Keysoe. During the 
winter 1900-1 one was killed at Barton and 
set up by Mr. J. Cole, who remarks that it is 
the only one of this species he has ever had 
that had been obtained locally. 
193. Herring-Gull. 
Gmelin. 
Evidently utilizes the valley of the Ouse 
very regularly during its migratory periods of 
the year, and often at no inconsiderable height, 
but in these overland movements it seldom 
alights again before reaching the coast. Dur- 
ing April and early May we may frequently 
Larus argentatus, J. F. 
BEDFORDSHIRE 
see this bird either singly or in small parties ; 
greater numbers are seen throughout August 
and September, the majority being immature 
birds. ‘Throughout the winter months soli- 
tary birds not infrequently appear. 
194. Lesser Black-backed Gull. Larus fuscus, 
Linn. 
Like the last species it is more frequent 
with us during its local migrations in the 
autumn, but it is frequently met with all 
through the winter, and whilst on its return 
journeys overland in spring. Immature birds 
comprise by far the greater proportion of those 
obtained. 
195. Great Black-backed Gull. Larus mar- 
inus, Linn. 
Very rare. Mr. G. B. Clarke records an 
adult shot in the spring of 1849 at Hockliffe 
(Naturalist, 1851). ‘Three have been received 
by Mr. A. Covington, the last of which was 
shot from near the New Cut at Goldington 
in the winter 1892-3. 
196. Kittiwake. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.) 
Almost as plentiful a species locally as the 
black-headed gull, but, unlike that bird, not 
particularly noticeable during any migratory 
season of the year, though appearing freely 
from November until the following February. 
It generally occurs inland in the wake of every 
storm that beats upon our coasts, very fre- 
quently reaching us in an exhausted condition, 
as numbers of them are picked up dead, and 
often in localities far removed from any water. 
The birds seen are usually solitary, but occa- 
sionally two or three may be observed together. 
197. Pomatorhine Skua. Stercorarius pomato- 
rbinus (Temminck) 
On 18 October 1879 a male bird of this 
species, which has since passed into my posses- 
sion, was taken by a countryman to Mr. A. 
Covington. It had been shot by the man 
from a ploughed field at Ravensden. When 
skinned it was found in very poor condition 
and the stomach quite empty (see also Zoo/o- 
gist). 
198. Razorbill. Ada torda, Linn. 
The only local record that can at present 
be given is that of an old stuffed specimen 
mounted in company with a green wood-. 
pecker, which Mr, A. Covington purchased at 
a local sale. The label on back of case stated, 
©Razorbill from Fenlake.’ 
199. Guillemot. Uria troile (Linn.) 
A very rare species, and probably never 
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