NOTHS AND QUERIES. 321 
O. castro cannot with justice be considered as specifically distinct from the 
last-mentioned species. In support of this view Herr Winge gives a table © 
of measurements (ut supra, p. 247), intending to show that the two examples 
of O. castro differ from each other as much as from a typical example of 
O. leucorrhoa.—W. Ruskin Burrerriep (St. Leonards-on-Sea). 
Notes from the Isle of Man, 1897.—The bay of Castletown, the shore 
of which at low water shows a considerable extent of low weedy rock, inter- 
spersed with tide-pools and rough gravelly patches, is perhaps the most 
suitable resort in the island for shore birds, to which the general character 
of the Manx coast is not attractive. During May, 1897, small parties of 
Whimbrel (Numenius pheopus) frequented the shores ; they left about the 
commencement of June. A party of eight or ten Turnstone (Strepsilas 
interpres) was also on the rocks, and some dozen of Sheldrakes (Tadorna 
cornuta), of which at least one pair probably stayed to breed somewhere in 
the neighbourhood. On the little greensward and sandy links bordering 
the shore, Wheatears (Saxicola enanthe) appeared in numbers in May, but 
all seemed to pass on as the season advanced. Late in May considerable 
numbers of Dunlin (Tringa alpina), mixed with Ringed Plover, arrived on 
the sands. Parties continued to be seen in June, and again in July and 
August; they were abundant, many in breeding plumage. ‘Their tameness 
contrasted with the shyness of the usual winter residents of the same 
species. The Redshanks (Totanus calidris), which for the greater part of 
the year enliven the tide-pool, almost disappeared during the early summer ; 
by the beginning of July they were returning ; also many “ Black-headed ” 
Gulls (Larus ridibundus), often still bearing the dark hood, and Common 
Sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucus) made their appearance here and there on 
the coast; one of these, roused from a stagnant pool, settled on a garden 
wall close by. On July 22nd I rowed from Port Erin round the Calf of 
Man. Sea-birds were there in very large numbers, especially Puffins 
(Fratercula arctica). As they are strictly protected by the proprietor, it is 
to be hoped that this interesting islet, now quite unassailable, at least from 
the land side, may long continue to be a refuge. On Nov. 28th, a cold and 
stormy day, a Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and Martin (Chelidon urbica), the 
former certainly and the latter probably a young bird, were flying together 
around the walls of Castle Rushen. They had been in the neighbourhood 
for about a fortnight previously, but after this day were not seen. On 
Dec. 23rd I found the remains of a Chough (F’regilus graculus) on the edge 
of a mountain summit 1400 ft. above sea-level, in the district which is the 
headquarters of the bird in the Isle of Man. On Dec. 26th there was in 
the bay a “‘ Black-headed ” Gull with the dark hood complete. The early 
assumption of this character seems not uncommon in our mild winter 
climate.—P. Ratre (Castletown, Isle of Man). 
Zool. 4th ser. vol. II., July, 1898. y 
