232 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
tail, wings, &c.; but the facts that I have described’ are vividly im- 
pressed on my memory, and certainly bear out Mr. Stubbs’s conten- 
tion that there are many remarkable things to learn about the Snipe! 
On one point I should, however, like to join issue with him. The fact 
that the tail-feathers were seen spread in the familiar way at a time 
when no sound was being produced does not necessarily prove that 
the feathers have nothing to do with the drumming sound. What 
it proves is merely that the spreading of the feathers alone is not the 
cause of the sound. It may well be that they must first be spread, 
and then all or a single pair turned in a particular way so as to catch 
the wind. This, on the evidence he brings forward, is still a logical 
possibility. Something of the sort must occur in the Peewit, which 
can produce the buzzing sound with its wings at will, apparently by 
- altering the angle at which the feathers strike the air.—J. 8. Huxury 
(Balliol College, Oxford). 
Bider Duck breeding in France.—It may interest English orni- ~ 
thologists to learn that the Hider Duck (Somateria mollissima) has 
nested (and probably continues to do so) on a certain island off the 
coast of Southern Brittany. This fact was recorded by Dr. L. Bureau 
as long ago as 1906, but the notice appeared in a somewhat obscure 
‘Bulletin,’ and has, I believe, been generally overlooked. The author 
was unwise enough to publish the name of the island, with the 
inevitable result that the nest was interfered with in 1907 and 1908, 
and possibly since. Apparently the island was never tenanted by 
more than a single pair. For many summers Dr. Bureau had 
observed Hider Ducks in the vicinity of the island, so that the ulti- 
mate discovery of a clutch of five eggs came as no surprise to him. 
The incubating female was caught on the nest (by hand), so that 
there can be no question as to the identity of the bird. I have 
examined the eggs, which are typical in every respect. This dis- 
covery is of great interest, as it is, I believe, a considerable extension 
of its breeding range as at present known. — Co~uInawoop INGRAM 
(Sussex Mansions, Westgate-on-Sea). 
Common Gull (Larus canus) numerous in Bedfordshire. — By far 
the largest immigration of any species of Gull into Bedfordshire of 
which I have record took place during the spell of severe weather in 
February last. At the Sewerage Farm at Newnham they were to be 
seen in several hundreds, as well as more or less commonly in other 
localities along the River Ouse. They were said to be most plentiful 
on Feb. 5th, but many had been seen previously, and others remained 
until Feb. 10th. Many were shot and taken to the local taxidermists, 
