252 1HE ZOOLOGIST. 



sea-rookery — and circled above the water. They numbered about 

 200, and at least a quarter of these wore the dress of immaturity. 

 I discovered over twenty nests, all containing eggs, with the 

 exception of two which had young. These nests were invariably 

 placed close to the edge of the reed-beds nearest the water. On 

 one small "reedy" promontory there were no fewer than eight, 

 situated hardly a yard apart. Of late years this colony of gulls 

 has suffered much persecution, but the owner, Mr. Samson, of 

 Lydd, exercises now a strict surveillance over it, with the result, 

 I am glad to say, that the colony is rallying. 



On June 12th a White Spoonbill appeared near the Midrips. 

 Its appearance created considerable excitement amongst several 

 of the fisherfolk. I have the following records of the occurrence 

 of the Spoonbill in this locality. Two adult males were shot, 

 May 9th, 1889, by two of the Southerden family. One of these 

 specimens was subsequently sold to Mr. Gray, of Dover, for £7. 

 In June, 1890, a party of five appeared : but, to use the words of 

 the fishermen, "We were too greedy; we wanted the * blooming' 

 lot, and ended by getting none." On May 24th, 1891, an im- 

 mature bird was obtained. There is another still in the possession 

 of the Southerdens, shot some twenty years ago. This specimen 

 is a very perfect one. The broad suffused rust-coloured ring 

 at the base of the neck is remarkable for its intensity. The 

 above records will show that these visits have become fewer and 

 farther between of late years. The bird now in question was 

 at the time of its being seen feeding along with five Herons. 

 I have also observed this species on the sands in company with 

 gulls. 



The shore-line now (June 16tb) is a perfect blank, save for a 

 few immature gulls of sorts, who are regular attendants at such 

 times when the tide lays bare the mackerel-nets, waiting in hopes 

 of seizing some of the small fry which are left by the fishermen. 

 Terns are also there to swell the company, and it is wonderful 

 with what precision they dart into the nets and carry off their 

 prey, while there are others, not so bold, who keep out at sea, 

 hovering all the while over its surface, watching for the floating 

 remnants of small fry which have been washed by the current 

 through the net-meshes. After these they drop, falling into the 

 water like so many ounces of lead. 



On June 16th two Skylarks' nests were found in a meadow, 



