John Gatcombe

“ On the 6th of that month I observed an immature bird on the rock at Stonehouse: on the 8th a fine old male on the rocks near the Plymouth Citadel, and on the 24th another young bird, near the Devil's Point, Stonehouse. On the 4th of November I observed about thirty Herons on the mud-banks of the river Tamar, near Warleigh, where there is a heronry. On the same day I examined six Short-eared Owls, which had been brought to the birdstuffer for preservation: they were very plentiful last season. Kingfishers were also numerous on the coast, and many were killed, I am sorry to say. ”

“ Several Long-eared Owls were brought to the birdstuffers on the 30th of October, and flocks of Ring Ouzels were seen on Dartmoor. The following day I observed a Snow Bunting on the cliff's near Mount Batten. The wind was N.E., and very cold, after two days' frost. This little bird was so tame that I got within three yards of it, and then had some difficulty in frightening it away, which I did on account of there being some birdcatchers in the immediate vicinity. Further along the coast, towards the Mewstone, I observed a large Northern Diver, many Cormorants, and some Wigeon. ”

“ On the 11th December I saw another immature Black Redstart on the rocks at Stonehouse. There were two young male Goldeneyes in the Plymouth Market on the 16th, presumably obtained in the neighbourhood. Little Grebes at the same time were very plentiful in the rivers and estuaries; thirteen of the latter were seen together on the Laira, and several were brought to our birdstuffers; some of them, strange to say, still retaining traces of the breeding plumage, having the cheeks and sides of the neck strongly tinged with chesnut or bay, and the breast and belly clouded or spotted with dusky gray. ”