360 



THE NATURALIST. 



rare bird wliicli has occurred in the neiglibourhood of Barnstaple, was shot 

 by my late lamented brother, Walter H. Mathew, Esq., on the banks of the 

 Taw, in 1859. 



Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa melanura, Leisl. I shot a very good 

 specimen of this bird on the banks of the Taw, in the autumn of 1859. I 

 am not aware that it has been shot before in the north of Devon. 



EuFF, Machetes pugnax, Cuv. Has been shot near Barnstaple and near 

 Clovelly, and an immature bird was killed by my brother, the Eev. M. A. 

 Mathew, as recently as September, 1865. 



Heron, Ardea cinerea, Lath. In addition to the heronries named by 

 Mr. Rowe, I may mention those of Eremington and Arlington near Barn- 

 staple. 



Egyptian Goose, Anser j^gy;ptiacus, Jenyns. Has been shot on two 

 occasions on the Taw, one out of a flock in May 1865. I believe all the 

 examples of this species which have been recorded as shot in England, would 

 prove if properly traced to have straggled from some ornamental water. On 

 a piece of water near Crediton some years ago, and possibly now, there used 

 to be a large flock of these birds, and I have often seen them miles from 

 their home — sometimes two or three together, and at other times nearly the 

 whole flock. They preferred to stray after heavy rains and might then be 

 seen feeding in low meadows. 



Eoseatb Tern, Sterna Dougallii, Mont. This beautiful bird was shot 

 in September, 1859, vide Zoologist, 6761. The lovely rosy tint soon fades 

 after death. 



Gullbilled Tern, Sterna anglica, Mon. An immature example of 

 this rare bird was also shot by my brother, the Eev. M. A. Mathew, in 

 September 1859, and recorded in Zoologist, page 6761. 



Sabine's Gull, Larus Sabini, Sab. A specimen of this rare bird in 

 the collection of Cecil Smith, Esq., of Bishop's Lydiard, Somerset, was shot 

 by his father in south Devon, some years ago. 



ScLAvoNiAN Grebe, Podiceps cornutus, Lath. Has been killed by my 

 father, near Barnstaple. 



Eared Grebe, Podiceps auritus, Lath. A fine mature example shot on 

 the Taw, in April, 1865, is no^v^ in my collection. 



II.M,S. Terrible, Malta, 10t?i March, 1866. 



