Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/123

Rh if thrown up in the air, they will immediately return on board. Gulls occasionally come in contact with the lamp's, but it is by no means common for any species, except the Skua Gull, to be taken in that manner. I was informed by the mate of the 'Newarp' that he had once found as many as three Skuas on deck during his watch, one of which, a large brown-coloured bird (probably the Great Skua) that he mistook in the dark for a fowl, as it was lying disabled in a corner, inflicted a most severe bite on his hand. From all I could learn, the species usually taken were either immature Pomarine or Arctic Skuas. Hawks and Owls are sometimes captured on board, but they are mostly observed before dawn, perched on some part of the rigging near the lamps. On one occasion the glass of the lights of the 'Newarp' was found broken, and a duck of some kind, that the crew were unacquainted with, was discovered inside the lantern. Grey Geese, Mallard, and various sorts of wild fowl, used now and then to be obtained, but from all I could hear the numbers of these birds have diminished greatly of late years. Snipe were stated to be among the commonest captures, but during the whole of the winter I only received a single specimen of this species. Woodcocks are supposed by the light-keepers to be particularly swift-flying birds, as they are generally picked up on deck, much cut and injured by striking against the lamps or rigging. The real cause of such mishaps must, I should imagine, be attributed to the weighty condition of the bird at the time of the accident. I found that the Knot was well known as being of frequent occurrence. They were described as flying in large bodies, and numbers falling at once on deck, One of the men declared that the last flocks of these waders that he had observed had suddenly shied when close to the lantern, and that but one or two had been taken. It is stated that many years ago over one thousand birds were one morning collected on board the 'Newarp.' Whether this was really the case or not, I do not pretend to say, but all my information agreed in the fact that there was every year a great falling off in the number of birds so taken. 1 afterwards learned from an old man, who declared he was on board at the time, that the above statement was perfectly true. He also added that six hundred of the birds, which were principally Larks, were put into one gigantic pie. I have a slight recollection of seeing an account of this fact in some paper, which published the history of the light-ships of the eastern coast. A fall of snow, and a cold wind from the north-west, is certain to bring enormous flights of Larks and other birds along the south-coast; all appear intent on making their way from east to west, occasionally passing in continued streams from daylight till dark. The Larks are usually the first birds to show, a slight covering of snow being sufficient to move them, while it requires a few days' continuance of severe weather before Fieldfares, Redwings, and Blackbirds appear in any numbers. At such times the whole of the bird-catching fraternity of Brighton are engaged in the work