2292 Birds. 



the 30th a pair of hobbies were observed at Easton, one of which— a male, apparently 

 of the second year — was shot. On the 3rd of July, a pair of partridges with their 

 brood, having been attacked by a terrier dog, the latter was completely driven off by 

 the male bird. On the 7th, three avocets (all females) were shot at Salthouse, and a 

 spotted redshank (female) was killed at the same place on the 2nd of August. On the 

 8th of the latter month an adult female hobby was shot at Whittingham ; on the 13th, 

 a flock, containing seven of the little stint, was observed on Yarmouth beach ; and on 

 the 26th, a female quail with a young one (quite small) were captured at Drayton. — 

 J. H. Gurney, W. R. Fisher ; September, 1848. 



Remarks on Birds visiting the River Dovern, near Banff. By the Rev. James Smith. 



The river Dovern falls into the sea at Banff, the chief town of the shire of that 

 name. Having resided for many years in that town, I send you a few remarks on 

 some of the birds which are to be seen there, and which do not usually come under 

 the notice of your southern correspondents. 



The bay is frequented by flocks of the long-tailed duck {Harelda glacialis). The 

 period at which they arrive depends, in no inconsiderable measure, upon the severity 

 of the weather, but may be stated in general terms as from Martinmas to Christmas. 

 Their operations, while here, are confined exclusively to the ocean. I have never ob- 

 served one of them enter the river, even for the most limited distance. They associate 

 in flocks, often consisting of twenty or thirty. Their food is obtained by diving, and 

 it is interesting to watch them while they are thus engaged : the whole number vanish 

 from the sight almost simultaneously : after a short space they again appear, the en- 

 tire flock having emerged in a few seconds after the first individual has presented him- 

 self to the view : they come up, one here and another there, like so many bubbles, till 

 they are all on the surface : having drawn their breath for a very limited period, one 

 of them is seen again to dive, and, in so doing, he appears to the spectator as if he 

 were rolling himself up into a ball ; his example is instantly followed by the rest, and, 

 in a moment, the ocean flows once more" unruffled, not one of the flock being any 

 longer visible. In this way they continue, with great animation and perseverance, 

 until their hunger is satisfied, when they remain at rest, floating upon the sea, and 

 seemingly allowing themselves to be carried along by its current. I have never seen 

 them in any instance on the shore, or even on the rocks, which rise here and there 

 above the water. They repose all night, it is presumed, upon the surface of the deep, 

 and are, therefore, sea-fowl in the strictest sense of the term. As the season approaches 

 for their departure to more northerly regions, their plumage assumes more vivid, 

 glossy and decided markings ; although, contrary to what is the case with birds in 

 general when they are in a state of nature, these markings, especially about the head, 

 are by no means the same in all the individuals, either in the form or the colour, — 

 some having more white than others, some more black, and the chocolate patches be- 

 ing of different sizes and of different shades of intensity. At this season they are 

 noisy and restless in their movements. There appear to be contentions among the 

 males; and they flutter along the surface, hurrying through each other's ranks, and 

 splashing the water in all directions. Their flight, while here, is never long sustained, 



