Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/212

188 I never, so far as I can recollect, shot a Dunlin in the breeding season; I therefore, cannot say, that the larger race of Dunlin may not occur with us in nuptial dress; but I have known for many years that the fell-side Dunlins were our smallest and brightest coloured birds, while the birds of the marshes are rather larger, and lack the bright colour of the Dunlins of the fells, being probably intermediate between the birds of our mountainous areas and the larger Dunlin which comes to this country in tens of thousands as an autumn and winter visitor. But as to the smallest race of Dunlin being separated as a valid species, I should certainly vote against any such decision. It would be quite as easy to make several species of the common Goldfinch as of the European Dunlin. There is the greatest difference in size and plumage between the smallest race of Goldfinch found in the Mediterranean sub-region and the very large Goldfinches which are procured in some parts of Russia. But so many intermediate specimens can be found that bridge over the differences between the extreme types, that it is much more satisfactory to recognize the various races as being merely local variations from the original type.— (Pitlochry, N.B.).

Black Tern in Cheshire.—On June 4th last year, when at Budworth Mere, with Mr. P.G. Ralfe, we saw three birds of this species (Hydrochelidon nigra) in breeding plumage. They were very tame, and we had a good opportunity of watching them; they were evidently feeding, as they were beating up the mere against the wind, and from time to time, after a slight check in their flight, would dash on to the water, and again resume their search. They often settled for a short time on the uprights of an old fence which ran into the water.— (Alderley Edge).

Black Tern in Cornwall.—A flock of Black Terns (Hydrochelidon nigra) has for some days frequented the Marazion Marsh, which is a considerable stretch of marsh-lands containing one large pool and several smaller ones, about two and a half miles from Penzance. I first observed a pair on Friday, April 19th, and, on visiting the spot on the next day with my brother, Mr. P.G. Harvey, we found from twenty-five to thirty hawking over the "main" marsh. By the aid of a field-glass we made out that they were in an advanced state of plumage, most of them being in practically full summer dress. They are most active about 5 p.m., when they regularly quarter the marsh in their search for food, which they snatch from the surface of the water, uttering their shrill cry incessantly, and forming such a sight as to attract the attention of the most unobservant. They rest in the middle of the day on any convenient bank surrounded by water, and in the evening, about 7 p.m., they bathe before settling down for the night. I have never seen or heard of this bird in West Cornwall for many years,