Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/366

342 secure the latter bird, though I shot three of the others ; one was in the perfect grey plumage ; and the only trace of summer shown by the other two was an odd red feather seen here and there on the front of the neck and breast, probably not more than half a dozen on each. Ten days afterwards, i.e. June 29th, I went down again, and saw about the same number of birds, probably the very same flock at the old haunt ; but though I carefully observed them with the aid of a glass for nearly half an hour, I was unable to make out a single redbreasted bird. While watching the Godwits I was surprised to notice about twenty Knots amongst them, and these also were in the grey plumage. Wishing to examine these birds I shot a Knot and two Godwits, none of which showed any trace of summer dress ; and the Knot, and one of the Godwits, had even begun the autumnal moult, the young feathers appearing being of a very light grey colour. When returning with the flood-tide I observed a few birds resting on the opposite side of the sandbank, and paddling round to obtain a closer view I noticed a pair of redbreasted birds standing in the shallow water apart from the others; on approaching within about seventy yards, with the aid of my glass I made them out to be a pair of Blacktailed Godwits in the beautiful perfect summer plumage — and very handsome they looked at the time, with the sun shining full on their chestnut-coloured breasts. I was unable to look after them again until August 2nd, whin I met with about fifty Bar- tailed Godwits at the same place, three showing red breasts, but of a much paler red than that of the Blacktailed Godwits, seen on June 29th. These bartailed birds were evidently part of the flock which lingered about the sands throughout the summer, their excessive wariness proving almost conclusively that they were not birds lately returned from their breeding haunts ; the latter, both old aud young, being always tamer, and more easily approached than those which have remained about our shores throughout the season. In strong contrast to the late stay of the Godwits and Knots, some of our other waders returned unusually early from their breeding grounds: as early as June 19th I saw about seventy Redshanks and fourteen Greeushauks, near Roserk Abbey ; and by the 29th the numbers of the Redshanks had increased to over two hundred, and the Greeushauks to about twenty birds. The shores of the islauds near the Abbey are a favourite resting place for these waders in the early part of the season on their return from their breeding grounds, and before they scatter along the adjacent coasts for the winter. — (Moyview, Balliua, Co. Mayo).

— At page 221 allusion was made to a paper read by Mr. Harvie Brown, before the Natural History Society of Glasgow, entitled — "A Chapter in the History of the Capercaillie in Scotland." From a report since come to hand we are enabled to supply