BIRD NOTES IN SABK. 307 



having migrated north to breed, but they are seen in countless hosts 

 in early spring, probably when performing their migrations. 



Lapwing ( Vanellus vulgaris). — Same as last. I believe a great many 

 more species of this order are to be observed in winter. 



Curlew (Numenius arquata).- — On May 23rd saw two of these birds 

 on the rocky headland near Les Boutiques, at the northern end of 

 Sark, and a few days later my friend saw a solitary bird in the same 

 spot. At first I presumed that they would be non-breeding birds, 

 having no occasion to go north, but one of our boatmen says that 

 they do breed in small numbers on the Herm, an island between 

 Sark and Guernsey, and that there are more about in the winter 

 months. 



Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbo). — Nesting in considerable num- 

 bers at various points along the coast, generally in a small niche in 

 the perpendicular sides of the cliffs, and wholly inaccessible. One 

 nest on L'Etac de Sark was empty, and tbis remark applies to another 

 on the Grande Moie, from which the bird flew off. The fishermen hate 

 the Cormorant, in common with the Guillemots and Eazorbills, which, 

 as they say, fly through the water as fast as through the air, and 

 frighten what fish they do not devour. They are strict with their little 

 laws in Sark, and bird protection takes the form of a fine of £5 for 

 every egg or bird taken in the close season ; but in spite of this the 

 men are only too glad to shoot through the Cormorants' nests at 

 breeding time whenever the opportunity presents itself. The Cor- 

 morants' chief breeding stations around the Sark coast are at L'Etac, 

 probably on Brecqhou — the largest dependency, but did not land 

 there — at Moie de Mouton, on Les Autelets, and Grande Moie. Of 

 these, all except Moie de Mouton are isolated rocks, and the Moie 

 de Mouton can only be reached in safety by boat. At Les Autelets 

 there is one curious flat rock slightly inclined, on which the Cor- 

 morants love to sit and "hang themselves out to dry," and which 

 is completely whitewashed with their excrement. This rock is 

 much like a large altar, from which the group get the name of Les 

 Autelets. . 



Shag (P. graculus). — In less numbers than the last named, and 

 breeding in the vicinity of Les Autelets, but impossible to reach their 

 nests. 



Gannet (Sula bassana). — Met with none of these magnificent birds 

 in Sark, but. I hear they are to be found earlier in the year. Saw 

 two, however, about mid-channel between Guernsey and Weymouth. 



Common Tern {Sterna Jiuviatilis). — Only a few individuals had 



