Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/93

Rh anywhere, either on the grass-land or the shingle. There is a considerable traffic in their eggs during the early months of the spring. In all of the nests that I found there were clutches of only three eggs, and, as they were also all hard-sat, this was the full clutch laid in these particular cases. When the nest is made on the shingle there is generally some attempt at lining it with grass, although in one case the eggs were laid right on the stones. July 16th–21st. At this date there was not a single Lapwing to be seen on the beach proper. There were, however, large numbers of them, old and young birds, on the marsh and meadow lands; but they seemed to have quite deserted the shingle.

(Gallinago cœlestis).—May 13th. I disturbed a single bird of this species by the side of a ditch. My companion told me, however, that he had never heard of a nest being found in the district.

(Tringa alpina).—May 10th–14th. Small flocks of this bird are numerous in suitable places on the beach. I caught one that had at some time or other lost one of its wings. I was told that there are often maimed birds like this feeding with flocks of sound ones. This specimen was in perfect plumage and fat condition. It was feeding with a small mob of its fellows, and my attention was called to it by its not taking flight when its companions rose at my approach. July 16th–21st. I did not notice any Dunlin on this occasion.

(Totanus calidris).—Local name, "Red-legs." May 10th–14th. A most conspicuous bird everywhere, on account of its loud whistle and bold behaviour when anyone is near its nest. It is common both on the beach and on the marsh-land. Nests were to be found at this date with both fresh and hard-sat eggs in them. One nest I found was made right on the shingle, with only the scantiest lining of grass and lichen. June 3rd. I found a nest in a patch of grass on the beach with one fresh egg in it. The nest, however, had the appearance of being deserted. July 16th–21st. The Redshanks, like the Lapwings, had quite deserted the beach proper, nor were they numerous anywhere else. I only saw five birds on this occasion, and they were some distance inland, near a piece of water on the marsh.

(Numenius arquata).—May 10th–14th. Saw single birds, and also several flocks of this species flying inland from the seacoast. During my two later visits I saw none of these birds.

(N. phæopus).—May 13th. Picked up a recently shot specimen of this bird by the side of a ditch inland.

(Sterna fluviatilis).—Local name, "Kip."—May 10th–14th. There were plenty of these birds about the beach and sea-coast at this date, but they had not yet begun to lay. June 3rd–4th. Now nesting