978 Birds. 



him all the cheese-parings he could find ; so Phil became a regular 

 customer. The Westover pond was a favourite resort, but he always 

 returned to the Rectory as his home. One spring Phil suddenly took 

 his departure, but returned in a few days, bringing with him a part- 

 ner. She lived on the Westover pond, and remained a few weeks 

 only. The next year Phil again went away, and, after an absence of 

 some weeks, returned alone. This he continued to do every year. 

 After the death of John Price, Grapes, his successor in the village 

 shop, was accustomed to feed him ; and every body put by their rem- 

 nants for Phil. The village children would give him part of their 

 dinner ; and when in fun they threw little stones at him, he would 

 bob his head, and not fly away. At last he went away in the spring 

 as usual, and never returned. This was five or six years ago ; and I 

 feel no doubt that the gull bought at Freshwater by the gentleman 

 Mrs. Spencer mentioned, was poor Phil. He was said to be well 

 know r n at Freshwater as the ' Calbourne Gull,' by the loss of one fea- 

 ther in the right wing." 



The Great Black-backed Gull occurs only now and then : I have 

 seen it pass Bonchurch ; and Mr. Butler obtained a specimen during 

 last winter. 



The Glaucous Gull has been obtained occasionally by Mr. Butler. 

 I saw it on the wing twice during last winter ; and there is a specimen 

 in the museum of R. H. Haslar, obtained in the neighbourhood. 



Some species of Skua makes its appearance in the Solent sea, suf- 

 ficiently often to have attracted the attention of fishermen and others, 

 who have given the bird a name I shall not transcribe, derived from 

 the habit of this genus of pursuing the gulls, and compelling them to 

 disgorge the contents of their craw. 



The Pomerine Skua was obtained during last winter by Mr. But- 

 ler. The specimen is in the possession of J. P. Fletcher, Esq., of 

 Ruxley Lodge, Esher; to whose kindness I am indebted for identify- 

 ing the species, both on his own authority, and on that of Mr. Lead- 

 beater, through whose hands the bird in question passed. 



The Manx Shearwater was obtained by Mr. Butler, some eight 

 years ago. 



TJie Forked-tailed Petrel I saw in the possession of Mr. Butler ; 

 the only specimen he had ever met with. 



The Storm Petrel also I saw in Mr. Butler's collection. He has 

 obtained it three or four times. Chas. A. Bury. 



Bonchurch, April 30, 1845. 

 P.S.— Pago 021 , Hoc 6,/or "county gaol of Harford" trad " county gaol o(Hertford. p 



