Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/71

Rh yards of it, and then had some difficulty in frightening it away, which I did on account of there being some birdcatchers in the immediate vicinity. Further along the coast, towards the Mewstone, I observed a large Northern Diver, many Cormorants, and some Wigeon.

The Black Redstart, as usual, made its appearance on the Devonshire coast during the first week in November. On the 6th of that month I observed an immature bird on the rock at Stonehouse: on the 8th a fine old male on the rocks near the Plymouth Citadel, and on the 24th another young bird, near the Devil's Point, Stonehouse. On the 4th of November I observed about thirty Herons on the mud-banks of the river Tamar, near Warleigh, where there is a heronry. On the same day I examined six Short-eared Owls, which had been brought to the birdstuffer for preservation: they were very plentiful last season. Kingfishers were also numerous on the coast, and many were killed, I am sorry to say. The Common Gull (L. canus), I think, was rather more abundant than it has been for the last few years. Three Water Ouzels were killed on Dartmoor on the 4th: I examined their stomachs, and found that they contained nothing but insects. A Gray Shrike was seen on the moor between Lydford and Bridestowe on the 15th.

On the 22nd November, whilst walking along the coast beyond Bovisand, I observed a fine pair of Ravens and a Gannet, and surprised a Crow in a nook amongst the rocks, feeding on a dead Herring Gull. On the same day, at Burrow Island, some miles further to the east, large flocks of Sanderlings were seen, and many specimens killed, some of which I examined, and found them to have assumed their full winter dress. A young Common Tern was also obtained: this is very late in the season for this species to be found on our coast.

Some adult Great Blackbacked Gulls made their appearance in our harbour on the 25th November, no doubt in consequence of the prevailing severe gales: they do not usually arrive until after Christmas, unless the weather be very stormy. I examined a fine old male which had been shot, and found that the white of the head and neck was nearly as pure as in the breeding season, with only a few very faint dusky lines appearing.

Two Gannets were seen off Bovisand Bay on the 20th, and one was shot; the tail of this bird was so much worn that it had the