84 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



frequently, but said it was chiefly done when they had young to feed. I do 

 not know anyone who has had such opportunities of observing this species as 

 my informant, or who is better acquainted with the bird or its habits in the 

 summer season. I also questioned one of the oldest inhabitants — a sea- 

 faring man — who I have no doubt has been in the nesting locality of these 

 birds more often than any other living man, and he is convinced the Roseate 

 Tern does rob the other Terns of the small fish they carry in their bills 

 from the sea. Several other men likely to know told me the same. 

 Another striking piece of evidence is as follows : — Whilst I was watching 

 a man repairing a small steam yacht, he remarked to me, " Well, have you 

 been to see the pirates to-day?" That was just after my first visit to 

 the colony in company with the owner of the above mentioned yacht, and 

 it was the first time I had heard the birds spoken of as " pirates." The 

 term had to be explained somewhat before I really understood what was 

 meant. I shall be glad to learn whether any reader can confirm or refute 

 this allegation. — E. G. Potter (14, Bootham Crescent, York). 



Iceland Gull at Scarborough. — On Jan. 1st, while fishing from the 

 rocks in the North Bay, I noticed a Gull fly past which I took to be Larus 

 leucopteras from its small size and the absence of black on the primaries. 

 A gunner not very far from me shot down the bird as it passed over 

 him, and brought it to me. It was, as I had imagined, an Iceland Gull in 

 the cream-coloured plumage, with the back inclined for slate-grey, which 

 immediately precedes maturity. The tip of the lower mandible was 

 missing, having apparently been carried away on some previous occasion 

 by a shot. The bird had, however, not suffered by the injury, and was in 

 excellent condition. The stomach was empty. I have only noticed this 

 Gull on two previous occasions at Scarborough. — W. J. Clarke (44, 

 Huntriss Row, Scarborough). 



Birds in Kensington Gardens, 1897-1898.— The gradual extermina- 

 tion of most species of birds in London makes it interesting to put on 

 record from time to time those which still exist there, or are to be seen on 

 migration. Mr. Yarrell has somewhere mentioned that in his day seventy- 

 two species frequented Kensington Gardens. During the past two years I 

 have kept a careful note of all the birds which I have happened to see in 

 the Gardens. These I find amount to twenty-seven species. Of these, 

 fourteen species still regularly breed there. The remainder are visitors, 

 some appearing only at the season of migration, but with annual regularity. 

 I have no doubt that more constant or regular observers might contribute 

 to swell the list of visitors, but I have limited my catalogue strictly to birds 

 which I have myself seen, only in Kensington Gardens, and clearly identi- 



