Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/87

Rh common with us, and might be placed amongst the accidental stragglers.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus. Not uncommon. Pe- riodically on our shores; not yet noticed inland. I believe the metropolis of this species to be Southern Europe, though some birds seem to breed as far north as Norway.

b. Water-birds, which on their passage frequent heaths, marshes, rivers, lakes, or woods, and are only accidentally found on the sea-shore.

Great Plover, Œdicnemus crepitans. Not uncommon. I believe a iew nestle on our heaths.

Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis. Very common in some parts of the country in spring and autumn. Immense numbers are killed to supply the town markets. Gregarious on heaths and sandy plains.

Common Crane, Grus cinerea. Rather scarce. Vast flocks are seen every year flying across the country. This bird is exceedingly shy, and when settled on the ground very difficult of approach.

Little Bittern, Botaurus minutus. Amongst reeds near streams and rivers, also in extensive marshes. It is not common, and appears in August, September, and spring.

White Stork, Ciconia alba. Seen in April and in August on its way to and from its breeding station, (Holland and Northern Ger- many.) This bird migrates by day and rests by night.

Green Sandpiper, Totanus ochropus. (See 'The Zoologist,' Div. vi. Group c).

Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa melanura. Not uncommon. Seen in spring and autumn in the Brussels market, but not as an article of food.

Great Snipe, Scolopax major. In marshes and on river-banks. Not common in Belgium. Found in greater numbers in some parts of France. This bird runs some time before rising, when hunted by dogs, and is often very difficult to find. It never nestles here.

Common Snipe, Scolopax Gallinago. Very common during the first and latter parts of the shooting season. Seen singly, in couples, or in small parties in damp pastures, low woods and marshes. I be- lieve it never nestles with us. This bird may often be heard on a clear night, uttering whilst in flight its two or three peculiar, and to