Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/364

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THE ZOOLOGIST.

sometimes observed near Thursley, being driven inland by rough weather.

4. A specimen was observed in 1882 on Clapham Common by a Mr. F.W. Lucas.

It is also interesting to notice, in connection with the note which I recently communicated to this Journal (1901, July, p. 253) upon the nesting of this species on Chobham Common, in Surrey, that an individual was observed flying over that heath in October of 1900 by Mr. S.H. le Marchant (in lit). On April 15th, 1902, I heard most plainly a large number migrating over Epsom about 11 p.m.

Whimbrel (N.phæopas).—Mr. Yearley preserved a specimen shot at West Molesey on Oct. 8th, 1879 (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus).—A flooded meadow close to the L. & S.W. Railway, near Earlswood, has constantly been frequented during this winter by a number of Gulls of this species; stragglers, doubtless, from the enormous crowd which now visit the Thames.

Common Gull (L. canus).—Mr. Styan had notes of its occasional appearance inland at Guildford and Haslemere (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Herring-Gull (L. argentatus).—In 1901 an interesting occurrence of the breeding of this species in captivity occurred in this (the Epsom) neighbourhood. Mr. Theodore Bell, who had three specimens, found towards the end of May that two were pairing. He shut off the third bird (a cock), and on May 30th a nest of rough grass was completed. The pen in which the birds—which were, of course, pinioned—was quite a small one, being only about three yards by five yards in size. On June 1st one egg was laid, and on June 4th a second. The hen sat very close and well, and on July 1st one egg hatched out; on July 6th the second egg, which showed no signs of hatching, was removed, and on the following day the young Gull died. It was probably a mistake to remove the other egg, which doubtless afforded to the young bird some considerable support from the weight of the parent. I understand that the nesting of this species in confinement (particularly in a small pen, without more water than that contained in a drinking-trough) is of rare occurrence, and I had therefore pleasure in receiving three