Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/353

Rh O. castro cannot with justice be considered as specifically distinct from the last-mentioned species. In support of this view Herr Winge gives a table of measurements (ut supra, p. 247), intending to show that the two examples of O. castro differ from each other as much as from a typical example of O. leucorrhoa.— (St. Leonards-on-Sea).

Notes from the Isle of Man, 1897.—The bay of Castletown, the shore of which at low water shows a considerable extent of low weedy rock, interspersed with tide-pools and rough gravelly patches, is perhaps the most suitable resort in the island for shore birds, to which the general character of the Manx coast is not attractive. During May, 1897, small parties of Whimbrel (Numenius phæopus) frequented the shores; they left about the commencement of June. A party of eight or ten Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres) was also on the rocks, and some dozen of Sheldrakes (Tadorna cornuta), of which at least one pair probably stayed to breed somewhere in the neighbourhood. On the little greensward and sandy links bordering the shore, Wheatears (Saxicola œnanthe) appeared in numbers in May, but all seemed to pass on as the season advanced. Late in May considerable numbers of Dunlin (Tringa alpina), mixed with Ringed Plover, arrived on the sands. Parties continued to be seen in June, and again in July and August; they were abundant, many in breeding plumage. Their tameness contrasted with the shyness of the usual winter residents of the same species. The Redshanks (Totanus calidris), which for the greater part of the year enliven the tide-pool, almost disappeared during the early summer; by the beginning of July they were returning; also many "Black-headed"

Gulls (Larus ridibundus), often still bearing the dark hood, and Common Sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucus) made their appearance here and there on the coast; one of these, roused from a stagnant pool, settled on a garden wall close by. On July 22nd I rowed from Port Erin round the Calf of Man. Sea-birds were there in very large numbers, especially Puffins (Fratercula arctica). As they are strictly protected by the proprietor, it is to be hoped that this interesting islet, now quite unassailable, at least from the land side, may long continue to be a refuge. On Nov. 28th, a cold and stormy day, a Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and Martin (Chelidon urbica), the former certainly and the latter probably a young bird, were flying together around the walls of Castle Rushen. They had been in the neighbourhood for about a fortnight previously, but after this day were not seen. On Dec. 23rd I found the remains of a Chough (Fregilus graculus) on the edge of a mountain summit 1400 ft. above sea-level, in the district which is the headquarters of the bird in the Isle of Man. On Dec. 26th there was in the bay a "Black-headed" Gull with the dark hood complete. The early assumption of this character seems not uncommon in our mild winter climate.— (Castletown, Isle of Man). Zool. 4th ser. vol. II., July, 1898.