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Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/313

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RARER BIRDS OF THE SOLWAY FIRTH.
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naturalist. Larus minutus occurs in almost every month in the vicinity of the Solway Firth. It has been obtained in January and February, seen in March, shot in April, shot in June; we have no knowledge of its presence in May or July, but it has been reported in August, and obtained in all the four remaining months of the year. We have seen nestlings a few weeks old, before they had lost first plumage; others in the plumage of the first winter; another in its second summer; another in its second winter; as well as (in single cases only) adults obtained locally in full winter and summer garb. Larus glaucus has not occurred in quite full plumage, and only in winter. L. icelandicus has only occurred in immature dress, and that in winter. Stercorarius pomatorhinus has generally appeared in October, but once as late as Dec. 22nd. This Arctic bird has never appeared in spring. S. parasiticus, on the other hand, has once appeared in spring or early summer; October is the month in which it normally occurs. Mergulus alle occurs fairly often between November and February.