several. Cockle L.V., Oct. 11th, and Hasbro' L.H., 13th, two killed
(wings to J. H. G.). Heligoland, Oct. 7th, pretty numerous; 13th, all
day with Chaffinches; and numerous first week in November.
_Linota cannabina_, Linnet. Spring, Newarp L.V., April 13th, all day to
E. Autumn, Whitby L.H., Aug, 8th, great many to south.[17] Heligoland,
Sept. 30th to Nov. 11th; rush on Oct. 13th.
[Footnote 17: Linnets, Twites, and Redpoles work their way south along
the coast; those flocks also which cross the North Sea, after striking
land, follow the same route to the south. They often collect in immense
quantities in favourite localities, feeding on the seeds of salt-loving
plants along the coast.]
_L. linaria_, Mealy Redpole.--Spurn, a few during the second week in
February, 1884, and one on 15th near Yarmouth.
_L. rufescens_, Lesser Redpole.--Yarmouth, Oct. 15th, several about
"denes."
_L. flavirostris_, Twite.--Numerous flocks on Lincolnshire coast in
October. Heligoland, Oct. 22nd, hundreds together, and to Nov. 15th;
rush, Oct. 26th to Nov. 7th. _L. exilipes_, Nov. 11th, one.
_Pyrrhula europæa_, Bullfinch.--Newarp L.V., March 5th, one on board.
Outer Dowsing L.V., May 9th, one came on board, and ten to W.S.W.
_Loxia curvirostra_, Crossbill.--Heligoland, during first week in July,
repeated flights from twenty to thirty.
_Emberiza melanocephala_, Black-headed Bunting.--Heligoland, in May,
male and female obtained.
_E. miliaria_, Corn Bunting.--Heligoland, Oct. 13th, many; Nov. 2nd,
many; 7th, many; 23rd, some; "never seen here except in very small
flights."
_E. citrinella_, Yellowhammer.--May 13th, Whitby L.H., great many for
several days. Heligoland, Nov. 2nd, many; 23rd, some. _E. cirlus_, Cirl
Bunting.--May, one, "completing with the male obtained many years ago,
the only pair."
_E. hortulana_, Ortolan Bunting. Great Cotes, May 3rd, N.E., very sharp
and cold, one seen, apparently an adult female [see Cordeaux, Zool.,
vol. 1883, p. 253.] Heligoland, Aug. 21st, 22nd, and 24th, "astounding
numbers"; Sept. 9th and 12th, great many; 16th and 17th, first old
birds. _E. rustica_, Rustic Bunting, Sept. 24th, one shot by Ludwig
Gätke. _E. pusilla_, Little Bunting, Sept. 24th, one shot; 30th, one.
_E. schœniclus_, Reed Bunting.--Great Cotes, Nov. 16th, considerable
flight. Heligoland, Sept. 20th, pretty large numbers; Oct. 11th, great
many; 13th, some; and 31st, many.
_Calcarius lapponicus_, Lapland Bunting.--Heligoland, Sept. 30th, some.
_Plectrophanes nivalis_, Snow Bunting.--Spring, Farn L.H., March 7th,
two. Cockle L.V., 14th, "Snow-birds" to W. Languard L.H., July 8th,
a pair on beach, 6.30 p.m., seen by Mr. Owen Boyle; certainly the
earliest record for England of this species. Autumn, first at Tees
L.V., Sept. 18th and 19th, one flock each day to S.W., and to Jan. 9th,
1884. Redcar, several flights to W.; a few recorded at stations between
the Farn Islands and Yarmouth in September, October, and November; and
from Dec. 1st to 29th in great numbers. At Great Cotes, on Dec. 4th,
thousands upon thousands, the stubbles near the Humber fairly covered
with their enormous flocks; young with a sprinkling of old birds, one
to forty. Heligoland, Nov. 6th, early, very numerous passage; 12th and
14th, great many.
_Sturnus vulgaris_, Common Starling.--With few exceptions are recorded
at all our east coast stations, and often in immense numbers, the
occurrences being far too numerous to chronicle. The bulk crossed in
September, October, and November; less in December; the line of flight
and rushes corresponding with those of the Lark, with which species
they are very frequently associated. Heligoland, from Oct. 1st to Nov.
12th; on Oct. 6th in "astounding flights, thousands upon thousands";
12th, "considerable numbers of astounding flights, both overhead and
in distance"; 13th, "still passing, astounding numbers all day"; 26th,
the same, very high; 27th, "night, from 11 p.m., myriads"; 28th,
"immense," and still great many to Nov. 12th. These extracts from
Mr. Gätke's notes show the enormous migration of this species across
Heligoland in the autumn, and the corresponding rush on to our east
coast.
_Pastor roseus_, Rose-coloured Pastor.--Heligoland, July 16th, old male
shot.
_Pyrrhocorax graculus_, Chough.--Heligoland, April 15th, seen for a
whole week, but not obtained.
_Corvus monedula_, Jackdaw.--Considerable numbers south of Humber
throughout the autumn. Heligoland, Oct. 26th, many; 27th and 29th,
great flight.
_Corvus corone_, Carrion Crow.--Spring, Farn L.H., March 8th, seven to
W. Autumn, Yarmouth, Oct. 14th, continuous flocks of Carrion and Grey
Crows coming in, and again on 27th. At the Inner Dowsing L.V., from
Oct. 25th to Nov. 13th, great many; also at other stations in October
and November.
_Corvus cornix_, Hooded Crow.--Migrates in company with his near
cousin, the Carrion Crow, as well as in separate flocks.[18] Spring,
Farn L.H., May 25th, one Grey Crow on island, where it ate three young
Larks; on July 27th Mr. Owen Boyle saw five on the beach off Languard.
Autumn, first at Great Cotes, Oct. 4th, to Whitby L.H., Dec. 8th,
fifty. Enormous numbers crossed in October and November between the
Farn Islands and Shipwash L.V., off the coast of Essex, the main body
arriving on the flat coast of Lincolnshire and in Norfolk; great rushes
occurred on Oct. 9th, night of 12th, 20th, 27th, and 28th, and on to
Nov. 2nd, and also Nov. 7th to 15th; under date Nov. 8th, Hasbro' L.V.
reports "continuous flocks of Black Crows and Grey Crows, and Crows
with white backs and bellies"; it would be difficult to say what is
intended by the latter. Heligoland, Oct. 1st, flights, thirty to forty,
to Nov. 12th.[19]
[Footnote 18: Probably something like one-half of the entries in the
schedules record the movements of Crows, Rooks, Daws, Starlings, Larks,
and Chaffinches, any detailed notice of which is unnecessary, and could
serve no practical purpose.]
[Footnote 19: Under date Oct. 6th, N.E., clear, fresh, Mr. Gätke
remarks:--"Across the sea both sides of island (N. and S.),
particularly on north side, countless numbers of _cornix_, _sturnus_,
and all kinds of small birds, all from E. to W. This occurrence happens
not rarely; during this ponderous migration there were on the island
nearly no birds."]
_Corvus frugilegus_, Rook.--Spring, Newarp L.V., during March and
April, many flocks of Rooks and Crows are recorded as going both to the
west and east, as if a cross migration was going on to and from the
Continent. At the Cockle L.V., March 20th, 24th, and 26th, continuous
Rooks and Crows to _west_. Llyn Wells, April 30th, various flocks of
Crows to _south-west_, and at the same station, on Aug. 3rd and 4th,
large flocks to _north north-east_. Autumn, with scarcely an exception,
at all stations between the Spurn and South Foreland, from the last
week in September to the end of the third week in November; the rushes
correspond with those of the preceding.
_Alauda arvensis_, Sky Lark.--As in previous years. Larks hare crossed
in immense numbers to the east coast; it would be quite unnecessary
to give each occurrence in detail, almost involving the necessity of
writing a separate report. They are recorded at all stations from the
Farn Islands to Gull L.V., off the South Foreland, from Sept. 1st to
Jan. 3rd, 1884, and often continuously night and day; rushes took
place on Sept. 3rd, 4th, and 21st, Oct. 6th and 8th, 10th to 14th,
27th to Nov. 2nd-14th; and Dec. 27th and 30th; and again Jan. 3rd,
1884. Flocks which come in at daybreak will continue to arrive till
12 or 1 p.m., when migration for the time ceases. Numbers are killed
during the night migration against the lanterns of the lighthouses and
light-vessels.[20] Heligoland, Oct. 5th to Nov. 8th; great rushes,
Oct. 12th; 27th, night from 11 p.m., "milliards" with Starlings; 28th,
"immense flight"; 30th and 31st, in all four nights almost continuous
flights.
[Footnote 20: The list of birds killed at the Hasbro' L.V., from Oct.
10th to Jan. 3rd 1884, was 162 Sky Larks, 73 Starlings, 23 Chaffinches,
60 Larks and Chaffinches, 28 Stormy Petrels, 1 Fork-tailed Petrel, 3
Fieldfares, 3 Thrushes, 8 Ringed Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 2 Goldcrests,
2 Woodcocks, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Blackbird,
1 Grey Crow, 1 Rook, 1 Lapwing, 1 tame Pigeon, 1 Curlew, 1 Brambling,
1 Redwing (wings sent to Mr. Gurney, but without date). Besides these
a large tub and bucket-full various. At Llyn Wells L.V., under date
Oct. 17th, Kestrel, Snow Bunting, Chaffinch, 2 Robins, Wren, Goldcrest;
on Nov. 4th, 3 Knots, 4 Thrushes, Redwing, 3 Stormy Petrels; Nov.
7th, 8 Chaffinches, 7 Thrushes, Knot, Blackbird, Wheatear, 2 Dunlins,
2 Snow Buntings, Brambling, Jack Snipe, 4 Fieldfares; another date,
2 Chaffinches, 2 Tree Sparrows, Thrush, 3 Stormy Petrels, 2 Snow
Buntings, Dunlin; Nov. 2nd, 5 Knots; Dec. 20th, Knot; Jan. 2, Knot;
6th, 2 Knots; 7th, Oystercatcher; also two more Knots and two Dunlins,
which had slipped their labels, but which Mr. Gurney thinks belong to
Nov. 22nd.]
_Otocorys alpestris_, Shore Lark.--Yarmouth, between Oct. 25th and
28th, six obtained from a small flock. Galloper L.V., October 11th,
one, (wing to J. H. G.). At Heligoland the migration of the Shore Lark,
commencing on Oct. 1st and ending Dec. 16th, was the most remarkable
of the season; Oct. 1st, N.E., small flights; 11th, some flights;
13th, about one hundred; 22nd, flights of hundreds; 26th, flights of
thousands, in the forenoon cliff covered; 27th-30th, numerous; Nov.
7th, marvellous numbers; 8th, very numerous; 11th, many flights; 12th,
astounding numbers; 14th, numerous; 15th, astonishing, thousands in
flights; 16th, few; Dec. 16th, hundreds.
_Cypselus apus_, Swift.--Hunstanton L.H., May 10th, great many. Whitby
L.H., 13th, one. Farn L.H., June 25th, three; the movement southward
appears to have commenced on or about this date. Last at Yarmouth,
Sept. 8th, several all day. Heligoland, August 21st, 22nd, and 24th,
great many.
_Jynx torquilla_, Wryneck.--Heligoland, Aug. 21st, 22nd, and 24th,
immense numbers with Swallows, Martins, Sand Martins, Swifts, Ortolan
Buntings, Tree Pipits, Wheatears, Willow Wrens, Pied Flycatchers, and
Blue-headed Wagtails; all astounding numbers.
_Alcedo ispida_, Kingfisher.--Yarmouth, first fortnight in September,
twenty-three brought to one birdstuffer. Hasbro' L.V., Oct. 10th, 10.30
p.m., one on deck. Heligoland, Aug. 15th.
_Coracias garrula_, Roller.--Bradwell, Norfolk, Oct. 9th, one shot.
Muckton, Louth, Lincolnshire, Oct. 27th, one also shot.
_Upupa epops_, Hoopoe.--Longstone L.H., April 29th, one killed against
kitchen window, 2.15 a.m., rain and squalls from S.E.
_Cuculus canorus_, Cuckoo.--Hunstanton and Whitby lighthouses. May
12th, one at each. Farn L.H., 15th, one. Longstone L.H., July 24th,
young Cuckoo on rocks. Heligoland, Aug. 19th and 20th, three young.
_Strix flammea_, Barn Owl.--One at Cromer, on Oct. 6th., seen by Mr.
Gurney, and "a large cream-coloured Owl," at Farn L.H., on May 13th,
may have belonged to this species.
_Asio otus_, Long-eared Owl.--Cromer, Oct. 6th, one. Hasbro' L.V. Nov.
4th, one resting on rigging at 7.30. a.m. for ten minutes, and perhaps
Whitby, Jan. 3rd, 1884, "one very large Horned Owl seen on cliff top."
Heligoland, Oct. 31st and Nov. 1st, pretty numerous.
_A. brachyotus_, Short-eared Owl.--Spring, Farn L.V., April 25th,
7.45, p.m., "one very large Owl to E.N.E.; very high." Autumn, first
at Redcar, Sept. 11th to Dec. 20th. At Llyn Wells L.V., two to S.S.W.;
throughout October to Nov. 8th, at eleven stations;[21] rushes Oct. 1st
to 4th, 12th to 14th, and first week in November. Heligoland, Oct. 14th
and 15th, one each day; 22nd, numerous; 24th, some; 30th, great many;
31st, numerous. Nov. 1st to 4th, "and at night at the lighthouse, many,
also our smaller Owl, _tengmalmi_."
[Footnote 21: Under date of Nov. 7th, at Happisburgh L.H., an Owl,
flying about in the glare of the lamps, was seen to pounce on a
Starling and carry it off. Mr. F. Spurr writes, "this latter, a fine
Horned Owl, has taken to visit the lighthouse regularly; he takes his
post just beneath the strong rays of light, and from thence pounces on
the small birds when they are frightened by the glare." He goes on to
say that he had seen it perched on the rail of the balcony, when its
eyes shone like living coals; just such a light as is visible in the
eyes of the night-flying moths when they settle on the pane.]
Falconidæ.--Circus, Harrier, Redcar, Sept. 21st, six on Tees
Breakwater. Buzzards or "very large Hawks," Spring, Farn L.H., March
10th, "one large Hawk, feeding on Blackbird"; May 18th, large Hawk;
June 18th, very large Hawk, driving the Terns from their nesting-place;
also on 19th. Autumn, from Sept. 6th to Jan. 12th, 1884, numerous
Buzzards, and "very large Hawks" are recorded at ten stations between
the Farn Islands and Yarmouth; the majority between Sept. 6th and Oct.
20th. There appears to have been a rush of the larger _Falconidæ_ on
Sept. 21st. At the Spurn L.H., on Sept. 21st, two Common Buzzards;
14th, 1 a.m., Honey Buzzard caught against lantern, and another on
17th, shot near Kilnsea. Farn L.H., 23rd, one very large Hawk, "back
and wings dark brown, belly greyish white, beak slate-colour." Whitby
L.H., Jan. 12th, 8.30. a.m., one very large Hawk, "dark colour, with
long, square tail, the largest I have ever seen." _Accipiter nisus_,
Sparrowhawk, numerous through September and to Oct. 14th, and after
this in less numbers to Nov. 20th; rush, Sept. 21st, with other
_Falconidæ_. Heligoland, Rough-legged Buzzard, Oct. 12th and 13th, one
each day; Nov. 2nd, some; 19th, four to six. Sea Eagle, _Haliaëtus
albicilla_, Sept. 21st, some. Sparrowhawks, from Sept. 21st to Nov.
1st.; Oct. 4th, first old birds. As a rule Sparrowhawks pass late in
the afternoon. Peregrine Falcon, Oct. 12th, a few. Kestrel and others,
Sept. 22nd, "more than ever, with Sparrowhawks and Merlins."
_Phalacrocorax carbo_, Cormorant.--Tees L.V., March 7th, flock of
twenty-five; 24th, fifty.
_Sula bassana_, Gannet.--Spring, Farn L.V., Feb. 25th, many going N.
Longstone L.H., March 22nd to April 15th, daily to N., and from this
date every day till May 30th, never more than nine in a flock; great
numbers of young also seen off Farn Islands, Redcar and Whitby, first
three weeks, in October, generally moving in northerly directions.
Redcar, Oct. 26th and 31st and Nov. 2nd and 10th, great numbers to S.E.
Hanois L.H. (Guernsey), Nov. 24th, all day passing.
_Ardea cinerea_, Heron.--Languard L.H., June 25th, a pair very high to
S.W., and several seen off Farn L.H. in August.
_Botaurus stellaris_, Bittern.--Early in January, 1884, a Bittern was
shot near Thornton College, North Lincolnshire, and two others are
reported as seen.
Anser, Geese.--Languard L.H., March 11th, sixteen Grey Geese, very high
to S.W. Whitby L.H., June 20th, nineteen going N., and on July 8th, 5
p.m., a large flock from N. to S.W. Redcar, Sept. 21st, twelve Grey
Geese to E.; and at some stations also in October and November, having
probably reference to change of feeding-ground. A large flock of Brent
Geese, _Bernicla brenta_, were seen off the Farn Islands on March 23rd,
at 6 p.m., and in the autumn a few on Sept. 26th, at the Tees L.V.
Cygnus, Swans.--At Tees L.V., March 25th, one. Outer Dowsing L.V.,
14th, three from N.W. to E.S.E. Spurn, May 13th, three to S.; and on
15th, two in Humber. Llyn Wells L.V., Sept. 16th, three to W.S.W. It is
possible all these may have reference to escapes or strays from private
waters.
_Tadorna cornuta_, Common Sheldrake.--Tees L.V., Jan. 13th, flock of
three hundred. "Never saw so many together before." Nov. 28th, flock of
about one hundred.
_Mareca penelope_, Wigeon.--Redcar, Aug. 20th, two flocks; Sept. 20th,
flock of one hundred Teal at sea. Farn L.H., Dec. 12th, hundreds of
Wild Duck, _Anas boschas_, off island.
_Harelda glacialis_, Long-tailed Duck.--Farn L.H., March 8th, "flock
of fifty to sixty off island." On Oct. 23rd, at Kilnsea, near the
Spurn, I shot a mature female Hareld from a flooded meadow. The stomach
contained a mass of small red worms and minute stones.
_Somateria mollissima_, Eider Duck.--Farn L.H., Nov., "hundreds of
Eiders, drakes and ducks, with young birds, flying and swimming about
the island every day this month." In December six were shot on Breydon
Water, Norfolk. The King Eider, _Somateria spectabilis_, was again, as
in the last two years, seen at the Farn Islands, in company with the
Common Eider, in April.
_Œdemia nigra_, Common Scoter.--Gull L.V., Aug. 19th to Sept. 11th,
great numbers going S.W.
_Columba palumbus_, Ring Dove.--Farn L.H., Sept. 24th, one. Stock Dove,
_C. ænas_.--On Oct. 25th, at Kilnsea, near the Spurn, I saw one come in
direct from the sea and pitch in a field on the cliff top. Heligoland,
_C. palumbus_, Sept. 30th, some; Oct. 4th, flights, forty to fifty;
13th and 15th, passing on; 31st, many.
_Rallus aquaticus_, Water Rail.--Farn L.H., Oct. 30th, S., foggy, three
at daylight; Nov. 2nd, one at noon, to land; Galloper, 3rd, one (wing
to J. H. G.) Hasbro' L.H., Dec. 9th, S.W., one struck.
_Crex pratensis_, Corn Crake.--Farn L.H., May 1st, 3 p.m., N.E., one;
23rd, 2 p.m., one. Whitby, 11th, first heard. Winterton L.H., Aug.
10th, midnight, one struck. Spurn L.H., Sept. 15th, one; Hunstanton
L.H., Oct. 8th, one struck and caught alive.
_Œdicnemus scolopax_, Stone Curlew.--Heligoland, Aug. 15th.
_Charadrius pluvialis_, Golden Plover.--Farn L.H., July 27th, five to
E., and on Aug. 20th, flock to W.; numerous on island through August
and September, moving to and from the mainland. At the Spurn on Aug.
29th, a large flock to N.[22]; and at Wells, Norfolk, Aug. 27th, in
small parties on mud. Heligoland, July. 16th, one young bird shot; Aug.
21st to 24th, young birds; 16th and 17th, great flights, all young;
29th, great flights; night Oct. 31st to Nov. 1st, "whole atmosphere
gloomy darkness, Curlew, Lapwing, Tringa, Snipe, Woodcock, but no
Golden Plover." Dec. 4th, N.E. (No. 8 or 9), snow-storm. Woodcocks and
Golden Plover.
[Footnote 22: The occurrence of a large body of Golden Plovers at
the Spurn at this date, passing to the north, is somewhat remarkable
in connection with the large flight of the same species seen there,
passing in the same direction, on Aug. 22nd, in 1880, and on Sept. 6th
in 1881. (Yarrell's Brit. Birds, ed. iv., vol. iii., p. 274).]
_Squatarola helvetica_, Grey Plover.--Spurn, June 7th, 11 a.m., N.E.,
flocks along coast. Hasbro' L.V., Nov. 1st, four killed. Tees L.V.,
Dec. 13th, large flock.
_Vanellus vulgaris_, Lapwing.--Spring, Cockle L.V., March 8th, large
flocks to S.W. Autumn, Yarmouth, Oct. 6th, large flocks in afternoon
from sea; 30th, Hasbro' L.V., great rush; Whitby L.H., Nov. 15th, 16th
and 17th, flights each day, south-westerly gale; also at Hunstanton
L.H. on 16th, to S.W., from daylight to noon.
_Strepsilas interpres_, Turnstone.--Yarmouth, Aug. 11th, young birds
to S. Farn L.H., 14th, large flocks at noon. Redcar, 31st, large flock
near Teesmouth, fresh arrivals.
_Hæmatopus ostralegus_, Oystercatcher.--Llyn Wells L.V., Jan. 7th,
1884, one killed (J. H. G.).
_Phalaropus hyperboreus_, Red-necked Phalarope.--Yarmouth, Oct. 24th,
one shot.
_Scolopax rusticula_, Woodcock.--Flamborough L.H., April 6th, struck
and killed. Two or three occurred at Teesmouth (Redcar), last week
in August, and a few in September. At Seaton Snook and Flamborough
on Sept. 21st. The "first flight" was on the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire
and Norfolk coasts, on the night of Oct. 21st, wind N.E. The "great
flight," or rush, on the nights of Oct. 28th and 29th, covering the
whole of the E. coast, from the Farn Islands to Yarmouth, the bulk
coming probably into the Humber district. A friend wrote me he had shot
eighteen on the morning of 29th, and might easily have doubled this
number if he had started early enough. From the 2nd to the 10th of
November stragglers continued to arrive between the Farn Islands and
Yarmouth. Heligoland, Sept. 22nd, first; Oct. 22nd, one hundred caught
or shot; 28th, astounding passage of Larks, Starlings, Peewits, Snipes
and Woodcocks; Oct. 30th, twenty to thirty shot; 31st, ten to twenty
shot; 31st to Nov. 1st, thirteen caught, a few stragglers to December
4th.[23]
[Footnote 23: Mr. Clubley, of Kilnsea, near the Spurn, who during his
life has probably shot more Cock than anyone living on the east coast,
says that a S.E. wind always brings _large grey_ or _light-coloured_
Woodcocks, a N. wind _small_ and _red-coloured_ birds--that is,
Scandinavian birds. This rule seems to hold good on other parts of our
east coast. See also remarks by Mr. J. Harvie-Brown.]
_Gallinago major_, Great Snipe.--N. E. Lincolnshire, Oct. 2nd, one
shot; Yarmouth, same date, one.
_G. cælestis_, Common Snipe.--Yarmouth, Aug. 11th, several. Great
Cotes, Sept. 25th, first considerable flight, wind S.E. night of 24th,
with gale and heavy rain. Hasbro' L.H., Nov. 8th, two struck and
killed. Heligoland, Oct. 22nd, great flight; 28th, night, immense.
_Limnocryptes gallinula_, Jack Snipe.--Farn. L.H., Sept. 21st, S.E.,
noon, two. Galloper L.V., Nov. 3rd, one (J. H. G.) Llyn Wells L.V.,
7th, one (J. H. G.)
_Tringa alpina_, Dunlin.--Languard L.H., March 10th, 7.40 a.m., very
large flock, very rapidly to N. _T. minuta_, Little Stint, Bridlington,
Aug. 3rd, two seen (W. E. C.), and at Yarmouth, second week in
September, three.[24]
[Footnote 24: The first great rush of _Tringæ_ across Heligoland was
Aug. 6th and 7th; 14th also, all sorts; and on 21st and 22nd, same;
again on night of Oct. 31st, and morning of Nov. 1st.]
_T. subarquata_, Curlew Sandpiper.--Essex coast, August 1st, Colonel
Russell shot three from a flock of Oxbirds; they were in partial moult;
another was seen.
_T. striata_, Purple Sandpiper.--Farn L.H., May 15th, 6 p.m., S.S.E.,
very large flock flying over island; and at the same station, on Nov.
28th, very large flocks of Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper and Redshank.
Yarmouth, Oct. 5th, five seen.
_T. canutus_, Knot.--Spurn, June 13th, flock arrived from S. The first
Knots in the autumn were seen at Yarmouth and Redcar on Aug. 11th, and
by the end of the month were tolerably numerous along the east coast.
Llyn Wells L.V., Sept. 22nd, N.N.E., large flocks to S. all day; at
this station also, from Oct. 20th to Jan. 6th, 1884, twenty-eight were
killed against the lantern.[25]
[Footnote 25: The Knot at Blakeney is always called "Knet"; Godwit, a
"Pick"; Dunlin, "Stint"; Whimbrel, "May-bird"; Turnstone, "Dotterel";
Ringed Plover, "Oxbird." On the Essex coast the Whimbrel is a
"May-bird" or "Titterel," the latter from its cry; Godwits are "Pream;"
Knot, "Marl"; Dunlin, "Oxbird"; Ringed Plover, "Stone-runner." At
Spurn the Knot is a "Plover-knot," but on the Lincolnshire coast
simply a "Knot". Local names, common to both sides of the Humber,
are, Turnstone, "Dotterel"; Common Dotterel, "Land Dotterel," "Spring
Dotterel"; Grey Plover, "Pigeon," or "Buffel-headed Plover"; Dunlin,
"Stint," or "Tommy Stint"; Ringed Plover, "Sand-runner"; Whimbrel,
"Curlew-jack"; Godwit, "Curlew-whelp." On the Durham coast the Knot
is both a "Dunlin" and "Grey Plover"; Dunlin, a "Stint"; Sanderling,
"White Stint"; Whimbrel, "Curlew-jack"; Lapwing, a "Tyafit"; Godwit,
"Goodwin." The local names of birds vary so in different districts that
they frequently become very puzzling to the members of the Committee;
it would greatly assist their labours and facilitate enquiry if any
fellow-worker would take the trouble to compile a glossary of local
names of our British birds. The investigation might be rendered easy
by sending printed forms to the best known ornithologists, in their
respective districts. The results could not fail to be both useful and
interesting.]