REPORTS. 141 



It should be remembered that the casual appearance of a straggler or two, 

 left behind in the general exodus, is of slight importance compared with 

 the date when the general body of migrating birds arrive and depart. 

 In our small island it is quite possible to ascertain this pretty accurately 

 in the case of the swallow tribe. 



Copnerake. First heard by Mr. G. Alles on May 8 at the top of George 

 Road. This is the usual date of arrival of this bird in normal years. 



Woodcock. The first Woodcock of the season, as reported in the news- 

 papers, was shot at Yazon on the 17th of October. 



Bittern. Mr. Leicester Gore informs me that a specimen of this rare bird 

 was shot during the winter of 1904-5 at Grande Mare. 



Iceland Gull. In the Transactions of our Society for the year 1887 (Vol. I. 

 p. 39) it is stated that "a very beautiful specimen of the Iceland Gull 

 [Larus leucoptenis) was shot in the vicinity of ISt. Sampson's, in the begin- 

 ning of the year." This species is not mentioned in the Birds of Guernsey. 



At one of our recent Meetings the President read an 

 interesting communication from Mr. H. Druiy Shaw on the 

 nesting of sea-birds this year, especially in Sark. Mr. 

 Penney has kindly permitted me to make the following 

 extracts from Mr. Shaw's paper, which is, I believe about to 

 be printed in extenso in the College Magazine. 



Oyster Catcher. Breeds all round Sark in fair numbers, especially on La 

 Breniere and the islets south-west of Sark, also on the Burons. Found 

 eggs on La Breniere on May 16, and a fresh Qgg as late as June 18. A 

 good many pairs bred this year on the islets north of Herm. 



Guillemot. Breeds in considerable numbers on the Autelets, and a few in 

 the chasm on the south side of Moie de Mouton. Took two fresh eggs on 

 the Grand Autelet on June 5. Guillemots commence laying apparently 

 about a fortnight later than Razorbills. 



Razorbill. Breeds in considerable numbers on the Humps, north of Herm, 

 and a fair ]iumber on the Autelets, in Sark. In full breeding on May 

 25. On June 5, on the Grand Autelet, one young bird was hatched. It 

 is interesting to note that whereas the eggs of this bird when laid in a 

 crevice are of normal shape, those I found on the Autelets on the narrow 

 ledges were pointed at the end like those of the Guillemot. 



Puffin. Breeds in large numbers on the Humps, and on the islet of Etac, 

 but apparently not on any other of the islets or mainland of Sark. Com- 

 menced laying about the middle of INIay. 



Herring" Gull. Breeds in profusion all round Sark and on most of the 

 small islets. Earliest eggs seen on May 8, and first young birds at the 

 beginning of June. I noticed a great variety in the eggs of this bird, 

 both in shaioe and colour. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull. Breeding in fair numbers all round Sark, 

 though chiefly in single pairs on the small islets round the coast. One 

 small colony of five or six nests among bracken on the lower slopes of 

 Moie de Mouton. Several pairs breeding on the Humps. Commence 

 laying apparently a week or ten days later than the first Herring Gulls. 



Great Black-backed Gull. I found a nest containing three eggs on one of 

 the islets south of Jethou, and I am told that one pair generally nests 

 on Etac 



Kittiwake. A considerable colony bred this year in the deep chasm south 

 of Moie de Mouton, Sark, and one pair on the mainland opposite 

 the Autelets. On June 18 I found two young birds newly hatched. 

 Several fishermen assured me that Kittiwakes breed on the Autelets, but 

 I did not see any. 



