BIRDS OF SOUTH-EAST NORTHUMBERLAND. 259 
as a means of propulsion in the same manner as on the surface 
of the water. 
Purrin (Fratercula arctica).—Occasionally seen off the coast 
at all times of the year. Visitors from the Farne Islands are to 
be seen in summer. One was caught on Cullercoats rocks on 
May 11th, 1903, and brought to me by some boys. It seemed 
much exhausted, and had probably been stunned by being 
driven against the breakwater by the heavy sea running at the 
time. It only lived for a few hours afterwards. A similar 
occurrence happened in 1911. The fishermen call this bird 
“Tammy,” or ‘‘ Tommie Norie.”’ 
Great NortHern Diver (Colymbus glacialis), — An un- 
common winter visitant. Of the adults I have but two records, 
namely, one in winter plumage, shot at St. Mary’s Island in 
October, 1901, and one which I myself saw fly close in front of 
Beverley Terrace on Dec. 15th, 1909. The former passed 
through the hands of the late Mr. J. Jackson, birdstuffer, of 
Neweastle-on-Tyne. It measured 33 in. in length, and weighed 
10 lb. From this size, which is exceptionally large for a British 
specimen, it must be concluded that it was a male bird. The 
second occurrence mentioned took place during a storm. The 
bird was flying south, and was probably on migration, and had 
been driven into the shore by stress of weather. The immatures 
occur very occasionally. 
BLACK-THROATED Diver (C. arcticus).—A rare winter visitant. 
In ‘ The Zoologist’ (vol. vi. p. 2067), T. J. Bold, Newcastle-on- 
Tyne, mentions a specimen which had been shot at Cullercoats 
on Feb. 5th, 1848. It was in a very interesting dress, the black 
throat characteristic of the summer plumage being nearly com- 
plete. With this exception the few specimens I have knowledge 
of were immatures. 
RED-THROATED Diver (C. septentrionalis).—A fairly common 
winter visitant, which is often seen diving near the coast. It is of 
infrequent occurrence in the summer plumage, i.e. with the red 
throat. The best example I know of this stage is in the hands 
of Mr. Richardson, taxidermist, Holywell. In January, 1911, 
a Diver arrived on Whitley Reservoir, and remained several 
weeks there. 
Great CresteD GREBE (Podicipes cristatus).— A specimen in 
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