Page:VCH Berkshire 1.djvu/209

 BIRDS 183. Green Sandpiper. Totanus ochropus (Linn.). Dr. Lamb, writing of this bird, says, ' fre- quent on the banks of the Kennet.' A fine male was killed on the Thames near Cookham in the winter of 1865 (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 144). On August i, 1884, the Rev. E. T. Whitehurst shot a female at a pond on the downs near Farnborough (Zool. 1884, p. 385) ; another was killed at Boxford in 1875 (Palmer, 'Birds of Newbury and Dis- trict '). In January, 1867, one at Newbury, and another on January 27, 1870 (Herbert, Newbury District Field Club), whilst I have heard of others being often seen in the district. 184. Common Redshank. Totanus calidris (Linn.). This bird is a rare straggler to our county. Clark Kennedy says he saw some said to have been killed near Windsor, but gives no particulars (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 191). Dr. Lamb mentions one shot on the Loddon in January, 1799. Mr. Wallis tells me he has often heard their notes when passing over in October, and that he flushed one from a small pond in a meadow inside the borough of Reading. 185. Greenshank. Totanus canescens (Gmelin). One was killed at Sonning, December, 1 80 1, and one at Newbury, January, 1811 ('Ornith. Bercheria'). Mr. Newton tells me he has a specimen in his collection killed on the Thames near Wallingford. 1 86. Bar-tailed Godwit. Limosa lapponica (Linn.). One was shot near Reading in March, 1802 ('Ornith. Bercheria'). 187. Common Curlew. Numenius arquata (Linn.). The curlew is a rare visitor both in spring and autumn. One was killed at Pangbourne in February, 1795, and another at Newbury in February, 1 8 1 1 (' Ornith. Bercheria '). Clark Kennedy says it has been shot at Cookham, Maidenhead and Windsor, but gives no data (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 142). Mr. Herbert saw one in the Boxford meadows, but did not remember the date (Newbury District Field Club, p. 97). Another was shot at Aston in 1867 (C. Barnett in lit.}, one at Lockinge in 1895 (Cornish in lit.), and Dr. Joy saw and heard some passing over late in the summer of 1901. ./ 1 88. Whimbrel. Numenius phaopus, Linn. The ' May-bird,' as this species is called, from its notes so often heard when migrating high over head during that month, seldom alights in our county. Dr. Lamb mentions one shot at Sonning, January, 1794. Mr. G. T. Phillips kindly tells me that a pair were shot by Mr. Percy St. Gerrans on the banks of the Blackwater in the autumn of 1892. 189. Black Tern. Hydrockelidonnigra(Linn.). This tern is a not uncommon visitor in spring and autumn to our rivers. Mr. Gould obtained one near Maidenhead in May, 1866. Mr. Stubbs recorded one seen by him on the river near Henley in June. An immature specimen is recorded from the county by Mr. Cordeaux, but without date (Zool. 1884, p. 469) ; another by Mr. Herbert from New- bury (Zool. 1873, p. 3455). Mr. Newton has two young birds in his collection taken near Wallingford, and in the late summer of 1878 I well remember watching an immature bird hawking flies on the river near Marsh Mills. 190. Sandwich Tern. Sterna cantiaca, Linn. In the Zoologist for 1895 (pp. 190-1), Mr. A. H. Cocks gives an interesting account of having seen eight Sandwich terns on the river at Great Marlow. They arrived about 9 a.m. and spent the day in the vicinity. This was on April 10, 1895. The river here is the boundary between Bucks and Berks, hence we have a right to a share of them. [Roseate Tern. Sterna dougalli, Montagu. Mr. Goatley informed Messrs. Matthews that these birds had been twice killed on the Isis (Zool. 1894, p. 2624.] 191. Common Tern. Sterna Jluviatilis, Naumann. A spring and autumn visitor of annual appearance. Sometimes small flocks may be seen flying up and down the river, more especially on the upper reaches. Mr. Fletcher tells me he has often seen them near Benson Lock in early May. An immature bird was found dead at Mapledurham on August 30, 1900 (Bradshaw in lit.). Another was ob- tained at Kennington Island, October 17, 1890 (Fauna and Flora of Radley, p. 13), and I have often seen these birds on the river from Henley upwards. 192. Arctic Tern. Sterna macrura, Nau- mann. An occasional visitor ; far less common than the preceding species, with which it is often confused. It has been killed near Windsor, and in May, 1866, Gould obtained 163