238 TEE ZOOLOGIST. 



but withered oak-tree by the River Taw, near Tawstock Woods. This 

 has been a favourite resting-place with these birds for the past twenty 

 years, and often three or four can be seen perched up against the sky- 

 line with their wings held out to dry. Occasionally one will betake 

 itself inland to a Trout-strearn, where it plays havoc with the fish if 

 not shot or driven away. A fine male Pochard on the river near 

 Bishopstawton. On being disturbed it flew away upstream in the 

 direction of Newbridge. Several Teal and Water-Rails in the marshes. 

 The Heron is one of the most nervous birds I know. If it does not 

 see you, it will hear you approaching. Immediately it shoots up its 

 long neck, and, with a frightened turn of the bead, it spreads its wings 

 and swiftly sails out of sight. I have seen a Heron seek safety by 

 flight once from an excited bullock, once from a little Red-deer calf, 

 once again from an inquisitive lamb, and even from an impertinent 

 Rook ; but when really angry they fight savagely. 



Dec. 21st. — A white-headed Blackbird seen near Barnstaple. Little 

 Grebes plentiful on the river. 



Dec. 28th. — A Cormorant this morning was struggling with a large 

 Fluke (Pleuronectas flesus), which had stuck in its mouth. It was in 

 the middle of the river, and was swimming round in a small circle, 

 shaking its head, and stretching its neck. After some minutes it sud- 

 denly shot its head up, and I saw the fish disappear, and a big swell 

 roll down its gullet. It then wagged its tail like a Duck, cleansed its 

 beak, and flew off, apparently by no means impeded by its extra heavy 

 breakfast. Sometimes, when in a difficulty of this description, they 

 will go ashore, where I suppose they have a better opportunity of 

 dealing with the obstinate fish. 



Dec. 2%th. — Saw a stuffed specimen of an Arctic Skua, in immature 

 plumage, which was shot on our river in September, 1904. During 

 Christmas week a Great Northern Diver was shot here by a fisherman ; 

 also a Red-breasted Merganser, but I did not see it. A flock of about 

 twenty Siskins feeding on the alders by the River Yeo, near Ivy 

 Lodge. 



Jan. 2nd, 1906. — Stormy. A flock of six Grey Phalaropes on the 

 Taw, near Pottington Point. Rough weather usually brings in one 

 or two. 



Jan. 1th. — Observed a flock of four or five Sanderlings on the mud- 

 flats. Very wild. I am told that there has been a flock of Wild Geese 

 "in over " this week. 



Jan. 11th. — Numbers of Scaup Duck off Baggy Point and Down End, 

 Santon. 



