Birds. 2457 



I conjectured that they must come in contact, I watched their motions. When within 

 about thirty yards of each other, each flight made a rapid swoop, descending in a curve 

 about fifty feet below their former height, as near as I could judge, with a tremendous 

 rushing noise, which I can only compare to as many sticks struck rapidly through the 

 air ; and then — which pleased me most — each flight passed completely through the 

 other, gracefully regained their former height, and pursued their undeviating course 

 to their stormy abode. — J. B. Ellman ; Rye, April 26, 1849. 



The Masked Gull (Larus capistratus). — I have to apologize to Mr. Strickland for 

 having allowed his inquiry (Zool. 2068) respecting the masked gull to remain so long 

 unanswered ; but the fact is, that having left home in consequence of the illness of a 

 member of my family, I did not receive the number of the ' Zoologist ' containing 

 that inquiiy ; and it was not until a few evenings back, on taking up the last year's 

 volume, I chanced to meet with it. At this distance of time I find some difficulty in 

 giving Mr. Strickland a definite answer. I can give only my general impressions ; 

 and such impressions are worth little in the cause of science. We left Malaga early 

 in May, and at that time the masked gull might be seen in considerable numbers 

 flying about in the harbour ; and, if I remember aright, with the exception of one or 

 two species of tern, it was then the only sea-bird frequenting that locality. The com- 

 mon gull, which had been very abundant, and the lesser black-backed gull, had some 

 time previously deserted the coast. My impression is, that I did not see at Malaga 

 a single example of the black-headed gull ; and I remember the idea crossing my 

 mind that the masked gull was the representative of the genus in the Mediterranean, 

 and occupied the place filled by the black-headed gull in our own country. I could 

 not obtain specimens, because the harbour only was frequented by this gull ; and it 

 was not allowable, or at least would not have been agreeable, to use one's gun in that 

 vicinity. But of the species I feel quite certain ; for the birds would constantly pass 

 and repass within half-a-dozen yards of the spot I was standing on. I was not aware 

 at that time that any doubt existed respecting the specific identity of the masked 

 gull. My own specimen, obtained at Shanklin, certainly possesses some characteris- 

 tics distinct from those of the black-headed gull : and I think the fact that this bird 

 had not left the coast, for the purpose of breeding, so late as the first week in May, — 

 when , if the black-headed gull be found in those parts, it must have retired to the 

 breeding-place some time before, — is not unworthy the attention of naturalists in 

 helping to decide the question in dispute. — Charles A. Bury ; Cheshunt, Herts, May, 

 1849. 



Dates of Arrival of Migratory Birds at Rye, Sussex. — The following list is very 

 incomplete, since there are many birds of which I have not had an opportunity of 

 noting the first arrival : such are therefore excluded ; but I will vouch for those 

 enumerated being correct. Wheatear, March 23; willow wren, April 2; swallow, 

 April 7 ; nightingale, April 9 ; blackcap and wryneck, April 11 ; ring ouzel, April 14 

 and May 9; redstart, yellow wagtail and common whitethroat, April 17; tree pipit, 

 April 26 ; lesser whitethroat, April 28 ; red-backed shrike and cuckoo, April 30 ; sedge 

 warbler, May 1 ; swift, May 2.— J. B. Ellman; Rye, May 14, 1849. 



