BARER BIRDS OF THE SOLWAY FIRTH. 285 



naturalist. Larus minutus occurs in almost every month in the 

 vicinity of the Sol way Firth. It has been obtained in January 

 and February, seen in March, shot in April, shot in June ; we 

 have no knowledge of its presence in May or July, but it has 

 been reported in August, and obtained in all the four remaining 

 months of the year. We have seen nestlings a few weeks old, 

 before they had lost first plumage ; others in the plumage of the 

 first winter ; another in its second summer ; another in its second 

 winter ; as well as (in single cases only) adults obtained locally 

 in full winter and summer garb. Larus glaucus has not occurred 

 in quite full plumage, and only in winter. L. icelandicus has 

 only occurred in immature dress, and that in winter. Stereo- 

 rarius pomatorhinus has generally appeared in October, but once 

 as late as Dec. 22nd. This Arctic bird has never appeared in 

 spring. S. parasitieus, on the other hand, has once appeared in 

 spring or eai'ly summer ; October is the month in which it 

 normally occurs. Mergulus alle occurs fairly often between 

 November and February. 



