Little Auks and Little Gulls at Scarborough.— I notice that in Mr. Gurney's interesting notes from Norfolk, he remarks that the last two winters have produced scarcely any Little Auks in his district. My experience during the winter of 1895–6 was similar, as I noted only two occurrences of single birds in each case; but it may be interesting to record that during the past winter this bird has occurred in greater numbers than usual, although the migration has not nearly equalled that of the winter of 1894–5. The following extracts from my note-book will give an idea of the comparative abundance in which they have occurred:—1896, Oct. 29th, two seen in North Bay; 31st, one shot in North Bay; Nov. 1st, one caught alive in South Bay; 5th, ditto; 6th, two washed ashore. After the early part of November they did not occur in numbers regularly, although a few stragglers were noticed; but in January and February of the present year considerable numbers were seen, in small flocks of from three or four, up to a dozen together. On Sunday, Feb. 7th, I picked up five which were washed ashore dead, but all quite fresh, on the beach between Scarborough and Gristhorpe.
I notice also Mr. Gurney mentions that more Little Gulls than usual have occurred. Four were noticed here during January, which is in excess of the usual occurrence of the species in this district. They were all immature birds. The Sclavonian Grebe has also been more abundant this winter; I have had four examples brought to me, and have seen several others.—W.J. Clarke (44, Huntriss Row, Scarborough).
Red-legged Partridge Migrating.—As the Red-legged Partridge is not usually considered a migratory species, the following notes may prove of interest to readers of 'The Zoologist.' I must first remark that this bird has not extended its range, as a resident, into the Scarborough district, and we have only three records of its occurrence during the last seven years, which took place under the following circumstances:—On April 4th, 1890, one was seen to come from the direction of the sea and fall exhausted on Filey Road (only a few hundred yards from the beach), when it ran into a doorway and suffered itself to be captured. On April 4th, 1896, another was seen coming over the water from the east; it alighted on the East Pier, where it was picked up, too weary to make any attempt at escape. The third example was seen coming over the sea from the east on March 22nd, 1897, and dropped exhausted in the water a short distance from land. It speedily drifted ashore, and was secured and brought to me. The fact of the only three examples of which I have records having all come in from the east, at the same period of the year, in a very weary and exhausted condition, seems to point to the conclusion that in isolated cases, at all events, this species maybe classed amongst our migratory visitors.—W.J. Clarke (44, Huntriss Row, Scarborough).
