Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/197

Rh Divers were very scarce, three birds being the greatest number I saw on any day when out in my punt; indeed, since I commenced punt-shooting I never remember these birds so scarce in this neighbourhood.

Wild Geese appeared in their usual numbers this winter, and on the 13th April I saw a great many resting in the meadows along the Moy near Foxford, their usual haunts. When passing near the railway, I remarked some birds within a hundred and fifty or two hundred yards of the train, and, as well as I could judge, they were White-fronted Geese—the commonest inland-feeding geese we have.

Wild Swans did not come under my observation this winter, nor did I notice their whooping call, so often heard when the birds pass over this locality on their way to the mountain loughs in Erris.

On the 21st December, when at Bartragh, I saw either an Iceland or Glaucous Gull flying over the Enniscrone sand-hills; and on the 26th, when walking near Killanly Marsh, I observed a young Iceland Gull, in company with a young Herring Gull, sitting on the water about forty yards from the shore. The Iceland bird seemed to be in the second year's plumage—at least it was in that creamy-looking stage that appears to me to indicate the second year. On the 29th December, being anxious to obtain some Purple Sandpipers for a friend's collection, I visited a favourite haunt of theirs on the coast, about two miles below Enniscrone, and when about half-way down I observed a young Iceland Gull flying about a grass-field in which a flock of Common Gulls were resting; but, as it did not come within shot, I went on to the Sandpipers' haunt, and having obtained a few specimens I set out on my return, and when again passing by the field in which I had seen the Iceland Gull in the morning, I was agreeably surprised to find it there still. It flew out over the shore, and wheeling round within shot gave me a chance, which I took advantage of and brought it down. It proved to be an immature bird in the first year's plumage, and was the same I had seen in the morning, for a broken feather in the wing enabled me easily to identify it.

On the 17th January, when returning from Bartragh in my punt, I observed a young Black-backed Gull on the rocks near Scurmore, feeding on some garbage left by the tide. Shortly after, a young Glaucous Gull, passing by, and seeing it feeding, wheeled round