372 THE ZOOLOGIST, 



Grey Plover, and a Greenshank sticking bis stiff bill under the 

 wrack, and job-jobbing at the Gammaridce, that scuttle away 

 with almost the alacrity of sandhoppers. 



There has been a stranger about to-day ; I cannot for the life 

 of me make out what bird it is that produces that queer cry. The 

 note is easily distinguishable, whether uttered alone or in chorus 

 with other birds. What to liken it to I am at a loss to suggest. 

 It is high-pitched ; it is too loud for a Temminck's Stint ; it is 

 not musical like a Plover's ; it is a triplicate note after the style 

 of a Greenshank's ; but differs from all I know. I heard it in 

 those dark nights of boyhood — rarely, I will admit — but the note 

 always troubled me, as it does to-day. I would give anything 

 to know its author, but then the novelty would be gone. There 

 it is again ! I scan every bird within range, but to no purpose. 

 I was just as puzzled for a long time by a Bullfinch that whistled 

 in hiding ; the charm was gone when I detected the fellow. 



A Black-headed Gull has discovered a finger-thick Eel. How 

 the fish, seemingly knowing its danger, wriggles ! how the bird, 

 unmistakably excited, shakes and pinches and runs about with 

 it ! It is not many moments ere another Black-head espies it, 

 and gives chase. I follow the twain with my telescope, and they 

 alight and squabble at the rond-edge near " Stone Corner." 

 Flying, pursuing, shaking, dodging, the two birds settle again, 

 and the original possessor still holds its own. Now he has half- 

 swallowed it, when the Eel flings its tail round the red upper 

 mandible and tightly twists itself, to the discomfort and annoy- 

 ance of the bird, which runs about trying to shake off the coil. 

 Down drops the Eel — he has it again. The Eel is becoming 

 weaker, but still struggles, when the Gull by a great effort 

 swallows it. But out pops the Eel's tail again, and the bird 

 has to vomit the rest of it. The Eel is not smitten with its 

 discovery, and again protests vigorously against a renewal of 

 the experience. The Gull swallows it again, and once more 

 ejects it ; but on the third attempt, made desperate by another 

 Gull coming up to investigate, the catcher gets it down, and, by 

 holding his head high and straightening his neck, succeeds finally 

 in imprisoning it. The swellings and writhings in the bird's 

 neck, visible even to myself, could not have been comfortable to 

 him ; but I will vow that was not the first Eel he has tackled. 



