Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/188

162 we had no doubt that the flock we had observed was migrating from that country.

Amongst a lot of gulls seen flying along the coast on December 15th, I observed several immature specimens of Larus glaucus.

From the number of Short-eared Owls which were brought to a birdstuffer in the town for preservation during the month of December, it would seem as if this species had visited us in unusual numbers this winter.

During the last week of December three Whoopers visited the estuary of the Eden. I did not see them myself, but heard of them from several persons, one of whom, a famous wildfowl-shooter and good field ornithologist, informed me that a wild swan which passed within eighty yards, and which he shot at, whooped several times a note with which he is familiar from having often heard it in the Solway Firth.

 

consequence of the severe and long-continued gales during the month of January, Kittiwakes became exceedingly tame and very numerous in our harbours, and I am sorry to add that hundreds were wantonly shot. Northern Divers were plentiful and almost daily brought to our birdstuffers; but it seems remarkable that among so many specimens a really adult bird was rarely found, and I have lately been much struck with the great difference which is observable in the plumage of the fully adult bird in winter and that of the young bird of the year. Although all the upper plumage of the old bird is more or less tipped and edged with gray, yet the general markings have not that wavy appearance so observable in the young, but show a great resemblance in form to the white spots and oblong square patches of the summer dress: the dark band on the neck, too, is much more conspicuous. The adult bird in winter may also be distinguished by the shape of the larger feathers of the back and scapulars, which are nearly square at the tips, instead of rounded as in immature specimens.

For some time I daily watched a large Northern Diver with my telescope, and could easily distinguish it from others, at any reasonable distance, by its plumage alone, and on visiting a 