Birds. 2625 



Iceland Gull (Larus Icelandicus). In our collection there is a fine 

 specimen of this gull, in the plumage of the first year, which was 

 killed on Port Meadow, near Oxford, in the spring of 1836. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull {Larus fuscus). Has been occasionally 

 killed and often seen in this county. 



Herring Gull (Larus argentaius). This species is also frequently 

 seen here. 



Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus). Often passes over this 

 place in small flocks of four or five. 



Pomarine Skua (Lest?'is Pomarinus). We have seen two specimens 

 of this bird, both in the immature plumage, which had been shot in 

 the vicinity of Oxford. The last of these occurred in November, 

 1848; and the first, now in the collection of H. E. Strickland, Esq., 

 in February, 1834. 



Richardson's Skua (Lestris Richardsonii). Young birds of this 

 species have frequently been killed in our neighbourhood. We know 

 of only one instance of its appearance in the full plumage : this hap- 

 pened on the 27th of June, 1837, on which day we observed an adult 

 bird passing over our heads, within gun-shot of the ground, and flying 

 towards the north-east. 



Fulmar Petrel (Procellaria glacialis). On the 20th of February, 

 1839, a male fulmar was found alive near Weston Wood : when brought 

 to us he showed no sign of fear nor any desire to escape, but sat on 

 our hands, and appeared to enjoy some hog's-lard, which he ate in 

 great quantities. His method of feeding was rather curious : he would 

 pick up a piece of lard about half the size of a wine-cork with the 

 point of his bill, and then, throwing back his head with a jerk, and at 

 the same time opening his mouth, would allow it to fall into his throat : 

 the smaller pieces he could not manage, as they adhered to the large 

 hook at the end of his bill, from whence he was unable to detach 

 them. Another specimen, also in our possession, was killed on Port 

 Meadow, in May, 1836. 



Manx Shearwater (Puffinus Anglorum). " Taken alive near Chip- 

 ping Norton, September, 1839." — G. 



Fork-tailed Petrel (Tlialassidroma Leachii). A bird of this species 

 was found dead by a labourer in this parish, in February, 1838: it 

 had apparently died from starvation. Other specimens have also been 

 picked up in a similar condition. " One shot near Henley, 1847." — 

 G. 



Storm Petrel (Tlialassidroma pelagica). "A storm petrel was 

 caught by a boy at plough near Chipping Norton, who whipped it 



