OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
385 
in Swanage Bay on June 23rd. My attention was attracted to a bird 
approaching me whose flight resembled that of a Cormorant with a Gannet's 
plumage ; it fortunately passed within fifty yards of me, and I had no 
difficulty in identifying it. That it was a Cormorant I have no doubt, and 
corresponded with Mr. Gatcombe’s account of the Wembury bird, with this 
difference — the wings and body appeared to be the normal colour of the 
species, rather than “ silvery gray.” The difference might only have been, 
through optical delusion, caused by reflection, the sky at the time I saw 
it being clear and unclouded. If it is the same bird, and seen in three 
successive counties, it must be making a tour of the English coast, and by 
practical experience finding the most favoured spots to satisfy its voracious 
appetite. Two colonies of Black-headed Gulls have established themselves 
on lakes between Poole and Studland. At one of these lakes Pochards 
have bred for the last three years. In the spring of 1875, a male Pochard, 
incapacitated from accompanying his companions northwards by a fractured 
wing, was fortunate enough to induce a female to remain with him, and a 
brood of young red-heads appeared on the lake, which was so carefully 
and successfully watched that the following year (1876) three broods were 
hatched. Having only just returned after a long absence from home, 
I have been unable to assure myself of the progress made in the 
further propagation of this bird. My friend Mr. W. M. Calcraft 
writes me word that a few weeks since he observed a hawk (a Peregrine 
probably) swoop down upon a Black-headed Gull on the wing, but failing 
to capture the bird he quickly returned and took it up as it floated on the 
water, and alighted on the ground a short distance off, with the intention of 
making a repast on the remains, but on the approach of Mr. Calcraft he flew 
away, leaving the gull in his possession. Curlews have bred this season on 
the heaths between Poole and Wareham. An egg of this bird was sent me last 
April, containing a chick just ready to enter upon subaerial life : its length 
was four inches ; bill, three-quarters of an inch. Choughs and Havens have 
returned to their old nesting-places on the rugged coast of Purbeck, after 
extermination before the passing of the Wild Birds Preservation Acts. The 
Peregrine breeds in Gadcliff (the noble headland on the western side of the 
so-called “island”), which is happily so steep and precipitous that no human 
hand can rob it of its young, although it not unfrequently falls to the gun 
or trap of the inexorable gamekeeper. — J. C. Mansell-Plkydell (Long- 
thorns, Blandford). M’-?. 
Bbeeding of the Pochard and Black-headed Gull in Dobsetshire. 
—In the early part of June, I was informed that there were some curious 
birds breeding at a pool well known as a favourite resort of wild fowl in this 
vicinity, and that the keeper had never seen any like them there before. 
So one fine morning I got on board a sailing-boat, and ran down the 
harbour to the point of land nearest to the pool. From here a short walk 
a t > 
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