Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/545

Rh Another reported from Lowestoft on Nov. 7th; length, 14 ft. 4 in. A Sunfish, undoubtedly the Short Sunfish (Orthagoriscus mola), reported as taken into Lowestoft on Sept. 14th. A Porbeagle Shark (Lamna cornubica), length 7 ft., on the fish-wharf, Oct. 4th; one, 8 ft. long (which I did not see), was landed on Sept. 28th. This species is more often taken than its commoner relative, the Blue Shark (Carcharias glaucus), which was at one time the commoner species. Of C. glaucus I have not seen an example this season. The largest Mackerel of which I have any local record was brought in on Oct. 21st; length 21£ in., girth 12 in., weight 3 lb. 7 oz. This exceeds my previous record of one in November, 1881, measuring 20 in. long, 10£ in. in girth, and weighing 2f lb.— (273, Southtown, Great Yarmouth).

Involuntary Migration.—During a recent visit to the Cape on board the mail steamship 'Norham Castle,' I witnessed an instance of this not uncommon, but too little recorded, occurrence. On Sept. 9th, when in about lat. 22° N., and at about a distance of ninety miles from the coast of North Africa, we encountered a wind blowing from the shore, and bringing flue sand, which afterwards blew from the opposite quarter, still charged with sand, as proved by the opposite sides of objects on deck being alike dusted. Numerous birds visited the ship, such as a couple of Hoopoes, two Yellow Wagtails, a Dove, Chat, Warblers, and other species. All these birds were weary, and frequently alighted on the booms, unalarmed by the presence of the many passengers on deck. They were likewise in a famished condition, as proved by a small moth which also flew on board being instantly seized by a Chat, who carried it to a boom and methodically devoured it. Again, in the evening, a Warbler was chased and struck down almost at my feet by another bird—unidentified—under the awnings of the upper deck, and in the full glare of the electric light; the attack and retreat of the bold marauder being almost instantaneous, but in the presence of the occupiers of many deck-chairs. In the evening I captured Dragonflies in the saloon, and a small bug belonging to the Capsidæ.

These birds must have been blown from the shore, and as we were only a spot on the area over which the wind blew, it may well be imagined that a considerable loss in avian life must have ensued. In the morning all had disappeared. On the voyage home, on board the 'Dunvegan Castle,' I saw a fine Coly which had been captured on board during a similar enforced exodus, and which had lived some considerable time in a cage, and was in splendid condition.— Zool. 4th ser. vol. II., December, 1898.