Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/504

478 Lieut. Denison on the 27th April, 1875, and one seen at the same time, but not obtained.

Totanus flavipes, Yellowshank.—The most conspicuous and noisy of the August arrivals. It has been seen as early as the 13th July, but usually disappears towards the end of September. Considerable numbers fall victims to the gun, as they are not bad eating. If a wounded one falls into the water it is possible to shoot the whole of the flock, as they hover over their unfortunate companion. This murderous proceeding is alluded to, I think, by Wilson. The only instances of the occurrence of this species in the spring took place in 1875, when 1 saw one on the 26th, and obtained two at Peniston's Pond on the 29lh April. These were, of course, in beautiful plumage.

Totanus solitarius, Solitary Sandpiper.—I observed one on the 19th July, 1874, but they generally come with the other species in August. They soon betake themselves to the wooded swamps, where they may be found singly or in pairs throughout the autumn. Fresh arrivals sometimes take place in the spring. Their habit of bobbing the head and body when alarmed is very comical. 1 always found them very tame, even when 1 was accompanied by a big Clumber spaniel, whose elephantine advances in no way disconcerted them.

Tringoides macularius, Spotted Sandpiper.—Flocks of young birds appear early in August, followed soon after by a limited number of adults. They frequent the same places as the other "snippets," and serve to swell the "bag" of the gunner in August and September. A few remain all the winter, and several examples have been observed in spring, presumably strangers on their way north. The "weet-weet" of this bird, as it skims over the water like our European Common Sandpiper, is very familiar to residents in the islands.

Actiturus Bartramius, Bartram's Sandpiper.—One in my collection was shot by Gibbs at Peniston's Pond on September 20lh, 1874. It was a single bird, and was in company with a flock of small Sandpipers at the time. [I obtained another in a field near Peniston's Pond on the 18lh September, 1875.— H.D.]

Numenius hudsonicus, Hudsonian Curlew.—Appears early in August, in limited numbers, and is so wary that very few are ever obtained.

Numenius borealis, Esquimaux Curlew.—Commoner, and easier