Its general appearance in winter is much like the Dunlin, but its

somewhat flattened bill and the small amount of white on the secondaries

and upper tail coverts form distinctive characteristics. Length 6·5 in.;

bill 1·2 in.; wing 4·25 in.

THE AMERICAN PECTORAL SANDPIPER

Tringa maculata, Vieillot

The American Pectoral Sandpiper has occurred more frequently in Great

Britain than any other of the American Sandpipers, some thirty or forty

examples having been shot, and with two exceptions they have all

occurred during the winter months.

Its breeding range is in Arctic America, whence it migrates to the

tropics of America for the winter, and presumably those examples that

visit us have come _via_ Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroes.

The upper parts are brown, with lighter margins to the feathers; chin

and throat whitish; breast buff, streaked with brown. Length 8 in.; bill

1·1 in.; wing 5·3 in.

THE SIBERIAN PECTORAL SANDPIPER

Tringa acuminata (Horsfield)

The Siberian Pectoral Sandpiper is very closely allied to the above. It

breeds in Eastern Siberia and is found in winter down the Asiatic coast.

Two examples have occurred in England.

It differs from the American form in its smaller size and more rufous

coloration, while the markings on the breast are arrow-shaped. Length

7·4 in.; wing 5·25 in.

BONAPARTE'S SANDPIPER

Tringa fuscicollis, Vieillot

This is an American species, breeding in Arctic regions and migrating in

winter along the whole of the Atlantic sea-board of America. About a

dozen examples have been procured in England and one in Ireland.

In appearance it is like a small Dunlin, but may be recognised by its

smaller size, shorter bill, and white upper tail coverts. Length 7·25

in.; bill 0·9 in.; wing 4·75 in.

THE DUNLIN

Tringa alpina, Linnæus

Of all our shore-birds the Dunlin, or, as it is sometimes called, the

Ox-bird, is the most numerous. At all times of the year and round all

our coasts it may be seen running about and feeding on the animal life

to be found among the rocks or in the soft muddy ooze recently left by

the ebbing tide. It is almost always found in flocks, which are often

made up of thousands of individuals, and when disturbed from one place

they may be seen twisting and turning on the wing in graceful flight,

preparatory to settling again on some rich feeding-ground. At times it

is most absurdly tame, so that it is possible to walk right among a

flock, which will continue feeding or resting as though unaware of the

presence of a stranger. Suddenly an individual will sound the little

alarm-note, and the whole flock will rise as though governed by one

mind, even those who were asleep flying off in full possession of their

faculties as though they had been on the alert all the time. In summer

many leave us to nest in Northern Europe, while others betake themselves

to inland moors or salt marshes round the coast on which to breed. It

cannot be called a common nesting species with us, but it has been found

in suitable places throughout the United Kingdom, becoming more numerous

in the north.

The nest is a shallow "scrape" among heather, rough grass, or some other

cover, and during the nesting season the male has a pretty little trill,

which is generally uttered on the wing as he flies over the nest.

[Illustration: DUNLIN

_Tringa alpina_

Winter (above). Summer (below)]

The eggs are greenish white, spotted and blotched with reddish brown.

The young when first hatched are covered with reddish down, mottled with

black and white.

In its winter dress the adult Dunlin is grey above and white below with

a whitish bar across the extended wing. In spring the crown of the head

is rufous, streaked with black. Mantle black, with broad rufous margins;

the neck and throat white, streaked with black, breast black; belly

white. The sexes are alike, the female being usually slightly the

larger. Length about 7·5 in; bill 1·7 in.; wing 4·5 in. This species,

however, varies greatly in size.

The young in autumn have the back nearly black, the feathers having

narrow buff and rufous margins; the under parts are white, buff across

the breast, and thickly spotted, especially on the lower breast, with

black. The amount of spotting, however, as well as the colour of the

breast, varies greatly in individuals.

THE SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER

Tringa pusilla, Linnæus

A single example, the first to be recorded in Europe, of this American

species, was shot in Kent on the 17th September 1907. In general

appearance it resembles a Little Stint, but is rather paler and more

sandy in colour, and may easily be recognised by its longer bill and

partially webbed toes. Length 5·6 in.; bill 0·85 in.; wing 3·7 in.

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER

Tringa bardi (Coues)

This is an American species, and has recently been twice obtained in

England.

In winter it closely resembles a Dunlin in general appearance, but is

slightly streaked on the back. Its summer plumage is quite distinct.

Length about 8 in.; wing 4·7 in.

THE LITTLE STINT

Tringa minuta, Leisler

This, the smallest of our shore-birds, is not a very common species. It

occurs yearly on the autumn migration, along our eastern and southern

coasts, but on the west it is very irregular in its appearance and

decidedly rare. Its breeding-grounds are the tundras of Northern Europe,

though it is decidedly scarce as a breeding species in the north-west;

it winters in the tropical regions of the Old World.

In its habits and food it closely resembles the Dunlin, but its much

smaller size enables it to be easily recognised.

In plumage it is practically a miniature Dunlin, but it lacks the black

on the breast, which in the breeding plumage has a reddish tinge. Length

6 in.; bill 0·7 in.; wing 3·55 in.

THE AMERICAN STINT

Tringa minutilla, Vieillot

This species has occurred in this country on two or three occasions. It

is practically the counterpart of our species and can only be

distinguished by its rather smaller size and darker colour. Length 5·25

in.; wing 3·5 in.

TEMMINCK'S STINT

Tringa temmincki, Leisler

Although nesting much nearer to our shores than the Little Stint, this

species is a very rare and irregular visitor to this country. It breeds

commonly in Norway as far south as Trondhjem and eastwards across Russia

beyond the limit of tree growth. In winter it migrates eastwards as far

as India.

In appearance it is not unlike a very small Common Sandpiper, whereas

the Little Stint resembles a small Dunlin. It may, however, be further

recognised by the shaft of the outer primary being nearly white, and the

two outer tail feathers being quite white. Length 5·75 in.; bill 0·6

in.; wing 3·8 in.

THE CURLEW SANDPIPER

Tringa subarquata (Güldenstädt)

This bird arrives on our shores from the middle of August onwards,

leaving us again in October, and a few are met with on the return

journey in May. Although by no means as numerous as many other

shore-frequenting migrants, it is not uncommon on certain parts of the

coast, especially on the east and south, but is much rarer in the west.

It may be recognised by its white rump and by the partially decurved

bill, to which it owes its trivial name.

There is nothing to specially distinguish it in habits from the other

species of Waders, and it will generally be found associating with

Dunlins.

The breeding-grounds are in Arctic Siberia east of the Yenesei, and it

winters in the tropical regions of the Old World.

In autumn the adult is brownish grey on the upper parts, white on the

rump and under parts. The young birds may be recognised by the light

margins to the feathers of the back and a buffish tint on the chest. In

the spring plumage the upper parts are chestnut, streaked with black and

grey. The under parts are chestnut, sometimes barred or spotted with

brown, the feathers having white margins. Length 8 in.; bill 1·4 in.;

wing 5·1 in.

THE PURPLE SANDPIPER

Tringa striata, Linnæus

The Purple Sandpiper is a winter resident on our rocky shores, and if

somewhat local is nevertheless well distributed wherever suitable

localities are found.

It has not yet been known to breed within the British area, but it is

not unlikely that further investigation may prove that it does so on the

Shetlands. Its nearest authenticated breeding-ground is on the Faroes;

it breeds also in the north of Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and other

circumpolar islands westward to Arctic America, but there is no evidence

of its nesting in Siberia. The nest is placed on the sea-shore or on

rocky fells near the margin of a lake, and the eggs are usually pale

greenish buff, with reddish-brown markings. Both sexes incubate, and the

male takes chief care of the brood; if disturbed after the young are

hatched, the parent runs about in evident distress, and looks in the low

scrub more like a rat than a bird. Their diet consists of insects,

crustacea, and other living food, which may be found among the sea-weed

growing on rocks; and the most exposed situations are visited as soon as

the tide has uncovered the weed.

In summer the adult has the upper parts dark brownish grey, the feathers

being spotted with rufous and tipped with whitish. The under parts from

the chin to the breast dark grey, with brownish streaks; belly and

flanks white, the latter spotted with brown. Three inner secondaries

white, showing up conspicuously in flight. In winter the upper parts

have a purplish gloss, and the breast is brown, with indistinct

mottlings. The young have light margins to the feathers. Length 8·57

in.; bill 1·1 in.; wing 5 in.

The short legs give this bird a "squat" appearance and generally afford

a clue to its identity.

KNOT

Tringa canutus, Linnæus

In autumn numbers of this species visit our shores, where for a few

weeks it is one of the commonest birds, being found on all our coasts

except in the west of Scotland. Large numbers leave us again after a few

weeks' sojourn, but a fair number remain with us in wide estuaries or

sheltered bays throughout the winter. A return migration takes place in

spring, the birds being then in the full red plumage of the breeding

season; but these soon pass on and only a few weakly and non-breeding

birds are left with us during the summer.

For a long time the breeding home of this bird was unknown, and even

though it was discovered breeding over thirty years ago, it is only

within the last four or five years that authentic eggs have been

obtained and brought home from East Siberia. Its chief breeding-grounds

are the Arctic regions of North America and the north of Greenland, and

in winter it is found down both sides of the Atlantic.

In its food and habits it does not differ from its congeners, with whom

it may often be found associating.

In winter the adult is grey on the upper parts and white below, with a

few greyish flecks or bars on the upper breast. The young bird is

browner, with light margins to the feathers of the back, the breast pale

buff pink, with a few grey flecks. In nuptial plumage the head and neck

are reddish brown, streaked with black; upper parts black, the feathers

having marginal spots of chestnut and white tips; under parts chestnut,

spotted with black; vent and flanks whitish, mottled with black. Length

10 in.; bill 1·5 in.; wing 6·5 in.

THE SANDERLING

Calidris arenaria (Linnæus)

From its habit of frequenting sandy stretches along our shores, and less

frequently near inland lakes, this species has gained its trivial name.

To this country it is only a migrant, young birds arriving from their

northerly breeding-grounds as early as the middle of August; the old

birds follow a week or so later, many of them still retaining traces of

the nuptial plumage. They stay with us only a short time, and early in

October the majority have left us to winter on the shores of the

Mediterranean, very few remaining behind. In May the return migration

commences, but they only stay for a very short time to rest and then

continue their journey to the Far North.

Their food consists entirely of marine insects, sand-hoppers, and other

crustacea, but at their summer-quarters large quantities of the northern

saxifrage are consumed. It is very tame, allowing a close approach as it

runs about on the sand, and appears conspicuously white among the

Dunlins and other shore-birds with which it consorts. The note is a

sharp "wick."

Its breeding range is entirely circumpolar, and the eggs are greenish,

spotted with brown, not unlike miniature Curlew's.

In its winter plumage, in which it is most commonly met with in this

country, the upper parts are pale grey and the under parts white. In its

spring plumage the feathers of the back are black, with rufous margins;

the chin, throat, and breast chestnut, with a few dark brown spots; vent

white. In autumn the rufous edgings on the back of the old birds have

almost entirely worn away. Length 8 in.; bill 0·9 in.; wing 4·7 in.

This species may always be distinguished by the absence of the hind toe.

In autumn the young have the back black, spotted with white; the under

parts white, with traces of buff on the sides of the breast.

THE RUFF

Machetes pugnax (Linnæus)

Formerly this species used to be a regular summer migrant to our shores,

breeding in the fen countries and other suitable places, but now,

although a few birds visit this country in spring, and possibly a few

may still breed, it is only as an autumn visitor that it will be

generally found. Even on passage it can hardly be called common, but on

our east and south coasts a good many pass through, halting merely for a

few days. On the west and in Ireland it is decidedly rare and irregular

in its appearances.

This species differs in its nesting habits from all other Waders. The

males, who don a special showy ruff in spring, meet at their

breeding-quarters on some raised mound and display their finery to the

hens. Apparently they are very pugnacious, as they will often jump up

and peck at another male, using their feet also after the manner of a

gallinaceous bird, but on close observation it will be seen to be all

"show," and we have never seen a proper fight between two males. On the

arrival of a female the males spread out their ruff and remain

motionless in front of her, and as she moves away they will jump up, and

quivering with suppressed excitement again display their charms, to

which she is apparently quite indifferent. Although said to be

polygamous, the question is still open to doubt; from among her many

admirers the female chooses one, and observations, so far as they go,

seem to show that she only pairs with one male. A male, unless chosen,

never pursues the female or interferes with her in any way, but trusts

merely in his external beauty to attract her attention.

The nest is placed among rough herbage in a fairly damp place. It is a

deep cup, well lined with grass and bents. The eggs, usually four but

often three in number, are greyish green, blotched and spotted with

various shades of brown. Except during the actual pairing the male takes

no part in the housekeeping, and when the females are sitting the males

may be seen together in flocks. In food and other habits this species

resembles the majority of Waders.

In winter the sexes are alike, except that the male is very much larger

than the female. The upper parts are of a uniform brownish, and the

under parts brownish grey, with white margins to the feathers; belly

white. The young resemble the adults but are darker on the back, the

feathers of which have rufous or buff margins. The neck and breast are

of a pale pinkish buff.

In spring, the male grows a long ruff on the neck and upper breast as

well as a backwardly directed ear tuft on each side of the head. This

ruff can be raised or depressed at will, and is of a variety of colours,

hardly any two being exactly alike. The face also becomes covered with a

mass of warty carbuncles. The feathers of the back and flanks are black,

mottled, spotted, or barred with chestnut. The female has no ruff, but

becomes darker on the back and breast. Length of male 12·5 in.; bill 1·5

in.; wing 7·25 in.: of female 10 in.; wing 6 in.

THE BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER

Tringites rufescens (Vieillot)

Several examples of this American species have been obtained on our

shores. This bird is somewhat like the preceding species although much

smaller, but it may always be recognised by the black markings on both

sides of the inner webs of the primaries and secondaries. Length 8 in.;

bill 0·9 in.; wing 5·25 in.

BARTRAM'S SANDPIPER

Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein)

This is another North American species, of which some eight or ten

examples have been procured in this country.

Its general colour is pale tawny buff, barred and mottled with blackish.

For a Sandpiper its tail is distinctly long and barred. Length 11·5 in.;

bill 1·2 in.; wing 6·6 in.

[We may note here that the Sandpipers we have hitherto been dealing with

have had the tail plain, whereas in the remaining ones, which belong to

the genus _Totanus_, the tail is barred.]

THE COMMON SANDPIPER

Totanus hypoleucus (Linnæus)

This inland species, which is a summer migrant to our islands, is common

and well distributed along the margins of lakes and on the gravel shores

of streams and rivers. In the south and east, where suitable localities

are scarce, it only occurs on migration, but elsewhere it breeds

regularly.

The note is a plaintive "wheet, wheet, wheet," generally uttered on the

wing. It is a very pleasing bird in its actions, running along the

margin of the water and moving its body with a peculiar and delicate

see-saw motion. When flying it remains fairly low down and follows the

course of the stream, generally keeping over the water. Its food

consists of worms, flies, and insects. The nest is placed on the ground,

usually near the margin of some water, or on a rocky or gravel islet.

The spot chosen is sometimes quite bare, or at other times thickly

overgrown with brambles and rough vegetation. For a wading-bird it

constructs a fairly substantial nest of grass and leaves, etc., and the

eggs are of a pale clay buff, spotted with brown. The young when first

hatched are greyish green with longitudinal dark stripes.

In August or early in September they begin to leave their

summer-quarters and may then often be found in the salt marshes and on

tidal ditches near the shore, but they do not remain there long, and by

October they have all left, with the possible exception of a few

stragglers that spend the winter in some of the south-western counties.

In summer the upper parts are bronzy brown, irregularly barred and

flecked with blackish; sides of the neck and breast grey, with dusky

streaks; rest of under parts white. In autumn the upper parts are

uniformly brown, or nearly so, and the under parts lighter and with

fewer streaks. The young have buff margins to the feathers of the back

and lack the dark streaks on the throat. Length 8 in.; bill 1 in.; wing

4·25 in.

THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER

Totanus macularius (Linnæus)

This American species has been recorded on several occasions in these

islands. It is closely allied to the Common Sandpiper and resembles it

in plumage, but in the spring dress it is more spotted on the under

parts, and in autumn it is greyer above, and lacks the bronzy tint of

our native bird. All the secondaries are barred with ash brown, whereas

in the Common Sandpipers the eighth and ninth are nearly white. Length 7

in.; wing 4·2 in.

THE WOOD SANDPIPER

Totanus glareola (J. F. Gmelin)

This species is a regular but somewhat scarce visitor to our shores on

migration. In Ireland and the west it is extremely rare, but in the

south-east corner of England it occurs in small numbers yearly,

especially in autumn. Formerly a few pairs used to nest in one or two

suitable localities, but they have long ceased to do so. In the west of

Europe it does not breed south of the Baltic, but in the east it breeds

in the valley of the Danube and also possibly in Northern Italy.

The nest is placed on the ground in a marshy spot, and when they have

eggs or young the birds are extremely noisy if their haunts are invaded.

In this country it is generally found on salt marshes near the sea and

very rarely inland.

The sexes are alike: the back brown, spotted with white; upper tail

coverts white; shafts of the quills dusky, except that of the _outermost

one_, which is _white_. Under parts white, streaked with brown on the

throat and breast, the flanks being barred with the same colour.

Axillaries white. The young bird is similar, but the white spots are

larger and more elongated, and the outer tail feathers are barred on

both webs instead of on the outer one only. Length 8·5 in.; bill 1·1

in.; wing 5 in.

GREEN SANDPIPER

Totanus ochropus (Linnæus)

This is a much commoner species than the last, and haunts inland

streams, especially in the neighbourhood of trees and woods. It is most

numerous during the autumn migration, but many pass the winter with us,

and it has been suspected of breeding on more than one occasion, but

positive proof of this has not been forthcoming.

In the north and west of Scotland it is scarce, but otherwise it is

widely distributed throughout the country. On the Continent it nests in

marshy woods from the Arctic Circle southwards to Central Russia,

Poland, and East Germany, its migrations extending to Africa in the

winter.

In its nesting habits it differs from all others Sandpipers, for it lays

its eggs in the deserted nest of some other bird, generally that of a

Thrush, Blackbird, or Jay. The eggs are greenish grey, with small

brownish spots. Its food consists of worms and insects.

In plumage it very closely resembles the preceding species, but the back

is darker and the spots much more minute. It may, however, always be

distinguished by the _dusky_ shaft of the _outermost_ primary and the

brownish black axillaries. In young birds the spots on the back are less

plentiful and of a more buffish tint. Length 9·5 in.; wing 5·5 in.

THE SOLITARY SANDPIPER

Totanus solitarius (Wilson)

This is an American species, which, like so many of its New World

congeners, has occasionally and at long intervals straggled to these

islands.

Its nearest ally is the preceding species, from which it may be

recognised by having _all_ the tail feathers, except the central pair,

boldly barred with black. Length 8·25 in.; wing 5·2 in.

THE YELLOWSHANK

Totanus flavipes (J. F. Gmelin)

Two examples of this American species have been obtained, the first near

Nottingham and the second at Marazion in Cornwall.

In general appearance it is not unlike a young Redshank, but the legs

are longer and more slender, and the axillaries are _barred_ and not

white. Length 10·75 in.; wing 6 in.

THE GREATER YELLOWSHANK

Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin)

A solitary example of this species was shot on the 16th September 1906

at Tresco in the Scilly Islands. It is an American species and is not

unlike a very large Redshank, but the legs are longer in proportion and

yellow in colour. Length 12·15 in.; bill 2 in.; wing 8 in.

THE COMMON REDSHANK

Totanus calidris (Linnæus)

The Redshank is a common breeding species in suitable localities

throughout our islands.

In winter it occurs abundantly round all our coasts and causes much

annoyance to shooters from its habit of flying up on the least alarm and

warning all the other less wary fowl, with its shrill "tui too too."

The nest is usually situated on some inland marsh or low-lying grass

field intersected with ditches. It is a very slight structure of grass

and bents well concealed in a tussock of grass or tuft of rushes. The

four eggs are of a pale stone colour, mottled and blotched with rich

reddish brown. During the nesting season this bird becomes very noisy,

and if the nesting site be approached, especially after the young are

hatched, they fly round the intruder or sit on some bank, calling out

vigorously all the time. It is a most interesting sight to take a

sporting dog to where they have young and watch the way in which time

after time these birds will decoy the dog away by fluttering under his

very nose until they have led him to what they consider a safe distance,

when they will spring in the air and with a cheery note return to their

brood. This habit is common to many species and orders of ground-nesting

birds, but unless we take a keen hunting dog with us we shall fail to

realise what an excellent device it is for safeguarding the young from

mammalian vermin. The food and habits of this species call for no

special comment, as it does not greatly differ from its congeners.

In winter the adult is greyish brown on the back; secondaries nearly

white; rump and under parts white, with a few dark streaks on the neck

and breast. Bill black with a red tip; legs red.

In summer the upper parts are yellowish brown barred and spotted with

blackish, the under parts white, profusely streaked on the neck and

sides of the breast with ash brown, the flanks being barred with the

same colour. Length 11 in.; bill 1·8; wing 6·25 in.

The female resembles the male, and the young may be recognised by the

feathers of the mantle having buff spots and the legs being yellow.

The white secondaries are very conspicuous in flight.

THE SPOTTED REDSHANK

Totanus fuscus (Linnæus)

The Spotted Redshank is a rare migrant on both the spring and autumn

migrations. In Scotland, Ireland, and the west of England it is almost

unknown, but in the eastern counties a few probably occur every year on

passage, but their stay is of such short duration that they are often

unnoticed.

It breeds in the north of Scandinavia and Russia, laying its eggs in

very dry situations at a considerable distance from its marshy

feeding-ground. The young are, however, taken to the marsh as soon as

they are hatched.

In summer the male has the upper parts black mottled with white, except

the rump, and upper tail coverts, which are white, barred with black.

Under parts black. Bill black, red at base of lower mandible; legs and

feet deep red. The female at this season often has a white chin. In

autumn the upper parts and neck are ashy brown mottled with white; under

parts white. The young differ from the autumn plumage of the adults in

having the chin white and the rest of the under parts thickly barred

with ash brown. Length 13 in.; wing 6·6 in. This species lacks the white

wing bar.

[Illustration: REDSHANK

_Totanus calidris_

Adult, summer (right)

SPOTTED REDSHANK

_Totanus fuscus_ (Linnæus)

Young in autumn (left)]

GREENSHANK

Totanus canescens (J. F. Gmelin)

In a few places in Scotland where large tracts of pine forest exist some

small boggy swamps varying in size from two or three acres to perhaps

half an acre, may be found situated in the midst of the woods. These

swamps form the summer home of the few Greenshanks that nest with us.

The eggs are placed on a tussock in the centre of one of these bogs, so

that to reach them is by no means an easy matter, and so cunning are

these birds that they are seldom seen feeding on the swamp where they

nest, but prefer to dine elsewhere. The eggs are generally of a light

stone colour, boldly blotched and marked with darker brown. As soon as

the young are hatched the parents remain in constant attendance, and

should any one disturb the peace of their solitude, fly round, calling

out incessantly. Amid such surroundings, therefore, be it in Scotland,

Sweden, Finland, or elsewhere, the Greenshank is born, but as soon as he

is able to fly at about five weeks old he departs with his parents for

the nearest sea-shore where the mud-flats exposed at each tide afford

him abundant nourishment. He is a wild and restless bird, and

continually utters his clear "tui-tui" when on the wing. As a rule he is

more partial to ditches filled and emptied at every tide than a broad

flat expanse of mud, and by walking quickly along a ditch he may often

be closely approached and watched as he probes the soft ooze for worms,

shrimps, sand-hoppers, or anything that may come handy. At the least

sign of danger, however, he is off, calling out as he rises and

displaying a very conspicuous white rump. Although liking to associate

with others of his kind, his wild flight soon breaks up the family

party, so that by the time he reaches our shores in August and September

it is generally in twos and threes. The abundance of food on the shore

has not been without its effect, and he is at this time of year

exceedingly fat, doubtless a wise provision, as both old and young are

moulting and migrating, which must be a serious tax on their system.

They stay but a short time with us, and by the beginning of October the

last of them has gone and their ringing "tui-tui" no longer enlivens the

shore. In April they will return, but they are then anxious to reach

their summer home, and brief as is their passage in autumn it is still

shorter in spring, and if we wish to see them then it must be at their

home in Scotland or farther north.

In summer the back is nearly black, each feather being margined with

white; rump white; head white streaked with dark brown. Under parts

white with a few blackish streaks on the throat and upper breast. In

winter the back is greyer and the under parts are pure white. The sexes

are alike. The young are browner on the back, and have buffish margins

to the feathers. Length 14 in.; wing 7·25 in.

THE RED-BREASTED SNIPE

Macrorhamphus griseus (J. F. Gmelin)

Some half-dozen examples of this American species have been met with in

England, all of them during the autumn months.

At this time of year, except in size, it resembles a Dunlin; but in

spring the under parts are chestnut, spotted on the breast, and barred

on the flanks with dark brown. The feathers of the back are black, edged

and barred with rufous. Rump and upper tail coverts white barred with

black. The shaft of the outermost primary is pure white. Length 10 in.;

wing 5·5 in.

THE BAR-TAILED GODWIT

Limosa lapponica (Linnæus)

On migration this species visits us in fair numbers, being found on low

sandy shores and sheltered estuaries. A few remain throughout the

winter, but by far the larger number pass on to Africa after a short

sojourn. In May there is a return migration, especially along the east

coast, the birds being then in full nuptial plumage.

It breeds in the northern portions of Europe, and in winter it is found

throughout Southern Europe as well as in Africa. The note is a loud

"louey, louey."

In autumn the sexes are alike, and the general colour is brownish grey

above and white below. The tail feathers are brown with no bars, but the

tail coverts are barred at all seasons.

The young have a shorter beak than the adults, and are brown chequered

with buffish above and dull buff below. The tail feathers are broadly

barred.

In spring the male has the back blackish with tawny markings, the head

and neck chestnut with dark streaks. Whole of the under parts deep

chestnut, the sides of the breast spotted with brownish black. Rump

white. Tail whitish with brown bars. Length 15·5 in.; bill 2·25 in.;

wing 8 in. The female is much larger and has very little of the ruddy

tint.

THE BLACK-TAILED GODWIT

Limosa belgica (J. F. Gmelin)

During the first half of last century this species used to nest in small

but diminishing numbers in the fens and marshes of Lincolnshire and East

Anglia. It is now only met with on passage, and even at such times it is

by no means common, and in Scotland and Ireland it is scarce and its

visits very irregular. On the Continent it breeds in South Scandinavia,

Central Russia, Poland, North Germany, Denmark, and Holland, migrating

during August to the Mediterranean basin.

Their food consists of insects and worms, which in this country are

chiefly sought for in marshes near the shore. In the autumn plumage the

general colour is ash brown above and greyish below. There is a

conspicuous white wing bar, and the tail feathers are mostly black with

white bases. In spring they have the mantle brown, mottled with black;

head, neck and breast pale chestnut, the latter being barred with black.

The female is considerably larger and rather duller than the male. The

young in their first autumn resemble their parents, but have the neck

and upper breast tinged with buff. Length 16 in.; wing 9 in.

THE CURLEW

Numenius arquata (Linnæus)

The Curlew is an abundant resident throughout the United Kingdom. In the

winter it is essentially a shore-bird, moving about in large flocks,

which may be found in the meadows and pasture-lands near the coast;

these flocks journey to the shore twice daily to feed on the mud or

rocks left bare by the ebbing tide. In April it leaves the coast to nest

on the heath-covered moors, and though it breeds in larger numbers in

Scotland it is well distributed in the north and west of England and

Ireland.

The nest is a shallow "scrape" with hardly any lining, and is placed

among the heather or in a grass field. The four eggs are very pyriform

in shape and are olive green in colour blotched with brown; the duties

of incubation are undertaken by both sexes. It is extremely wary, rising

on wing at the least alarm and calling out its loud "cour lie," which

may be heard a considerable way off. Its food consists of worms, slugs,

snails, and other insects, and when on the shore, small fish and

crustacea are added to the bill of fare.

The general colour is a pale brown, with dark streaks; rump, vent, and

upper tail coverts white. In winter the under parts are very pale in

colour, almost white. The female is larger and the young in their first

plumage are spotted rather than streaked on the back. Length 21-26 in.;

bill 4·7-6 in.; wing 11·5-12·25 in.

THE WHIMBREL

Numenius pheopus (Linnæus)

The Whimbrel only passes through these islands on migration, though a

few pairs breed on the Orkneys and Shetlands. The spring passage

generally takes place in May, from which it is known in some countries

as the May-bird. In habits and food it closely resembles the Curlew, but

its note is very different, being a rather melodious rippling whistle,

which may be syllabled as "telly, telly, telly, tet." The fells of

Arctic Europe form its chief nesting-grounds, whence it migrates in

winter to the shores of the Mediterranean.

In plumage it is very similar to the Curlew, but may always be

distinguished by having the crown of a uniform dark brown with a pale

stripe down the centre. It is also a much smaller species. Length 17·5

in.; bill 3·4 in.; wing 10 in.

[Illustration: CURLEW

_Numenius arquata_]

THE ESKIMO CURLEW

Numenius borealis (J. F. Forster)

The home of this bird is in Arctic America, and some eight or nine

examples have been procured in this country.

In appearance it is rather like a small Whimbrel, but it may be

recognised by the absence of barring on the primaries, no white on the

rump, transverse arrow-head markings on the under parts, and the

axillaries being chestnut barred with brown. Length 14 in.; wing 8·25

in.

THE BLACK TERN

Hydrochelidon nigra (Linnæus)

Up till the middle of last century the Black Tern was a regular summer

visitor to our shores, remaining to breed in the fens and marshes of

England. For the last forty years, however, it has only occurred on

passage, the adult birds passing through in April and May, and flocks in

immature plumage being found along the east coast in the autumn. To the

west of England and Scotland it is a very irregular visitor, and the

same may be said of Ireland.

It nests in colonies on inland marshes, the nest being an accumulation

of decaying vegetation floating on the surface of the water. The eggs,

three in number, are olive green blotched with dark brown. Its food

consists largely of aquatic insects and their larvæ, dragon-flies and

such like, but it also feeds readily on small fish.

South of the Baltic it breeds in suitable localities throughout Europe,

migrating from its more northerly summer quarters to Africa.

The adult in summer has the head, neck, and under parts dark greyish

black, the rest of the plumage slate grey, except the vent and under

tail coverts, which are white. Bill black. In winter the forehead, nape,

chin, throat, and under parts are white. The young resemble the adults

in winter, but the upper tail coverts are lighter and the back and wing

coverts are greyish mottled with brown. Length 10 in.; wing 8·5 in.

THE WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN

Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Schinz)

This species, which is nearly allied to the preceding, breeds in the

marshes of Central and South-eastern Europe. It is a very scarce and

irregular visitor to our eastern and south-eastern shores, especially in

spring.

In habits it resembles the Black Tern, from which it may be

distinguished in summer by its red bill, white tail and tail coverts,

and whitish wing coverts. The young may be distinguished from those of

_H. nigra_ by their longer toes and much paler rump and tail. Length 9·5

in.; wing 8·25 in.

THE WHISKERED TERN

Hydrochelidon hybrida (Pallas)

This is a more southern species than its congeners, breeding in Spain,

on the delta of the Rhone, and eastwards in Turkey, Greece, and South

Russia. To our shores it is a very rare visitor, some half-a-dozen

specimens only having been obtained.

In summer it is not unlike the Black Tern, but it may be recognised by

the bill, which is stouter and red; the black of the head and nape is

sharply contrasted with the grey of the back. A broad white stripe runs

backwards from the base of the bill. Chin and throat grey, shading to

black on the belly. In winter the forehead and under parts are white.

Length 11·5 in.; wing 9·25 in.

THE GULL-BILLED TERN

Sterna anglica, Montagu

With this species we come to the true Terns or Sea-Swallows, the

preceding species being known as Marsh Terns. The Gull-billed Tern is

only a very scarce straggler to our shores, being a southern European

species though occurring yearly as far north as Denmark.

In habits there is nothing to distinguish it from our commoner species.

In summer the adult has the whole of the upper parts, including the

tail, pearl grey; head and nape dense velvety black; primaries blackish.

Under parts pure white; bill and legs black. In winter the head is white

streaked with black. Length 15·5 in.; wing 13 in.

THE CASPIAN TERN

Sterna caspia, Pallas

This large Tern is, like the preceding, only a rare straggler to our

shores. It nests in Denmark and various islands on the Baltic, as well

as in the Mediterranean basin eastwards to the Aralo-Caspian area.

Plumage much as in preceding species, but the tail nearly white. Bill

vermilion red; legs black. Length 20 in.; wing 16 in.

THE SANDWICH TERN

Sterna cantiaca, J. F. Gmelin

This species arrives on our coasts about the middle of April and at once

repairs to its breeding-stations. In England these are very few in

number and mostly in the north, but occurring equally on the east and

west coasts. In Scotland the colonies are rather more numerous, while

Ireland can only boast of one in the north.

It nests on the bare shingle, the nests being usually placed quite close

to each other. Two or three eggs of a pale stone colour, spotted and

blotched with reddish brown and black, form the clutch.

Like all Terns, this bird is a powerful flier, and seizes the fish on

which it feeds by plunging into the water with considerable force. Its

note is a loud and harsh "kirhitt," which may be heard some way off and

often enables this species to be detected when among other Terns. It

leaves our shores as soon as the young are well on the wing, and though

a few stragglers may occur on the coast during the autumn it is by no

means a common species, and needs all the protection it can get, if it

is to remain an annual summer visitor to our shores.

The adult male in summer has the crown of the head black; the rest of

the upper parts pearl grey; rump, tail, and under parts white, the

breast being suffused with a delicate rose tint which soon fades after

death. Bill black with a yellow tip. Legs black. The female is similar

but slightly smaller. In autumn the back of the head and nape are white,

the latter being lightly mottled. In the young the head is white mottled

with black. The feathers of the back and wing coverts have black and

brownish crescentic markings and white tips. The tail is also marked

with angular lines of black, the outer feather being almost entirely

greyish. Length 16 in.; bill 2·5 in.; wing 12 in.

THE ROSEATE TERN

Sterna dougalli, Montagu

This Tern still nests in small numbers round our shores, but it is

extremely scarce and somewhat erratic in its choice of

breeding-quarters, which often vary from year to year. It arrives very

late in May, and leaves our shores as soon as the young can fly, so that

it is not often met with on migration. It breeds sparingly on the coast

of France, but its chief breeding-quarters are along the Atlantic coast

of the United States.

In general habits it resembles its congeners, but it is an exclusively

sea Tern, obtaining most of its food some distance out at sea.

In plumage it is almost indistinguishable from the two following

species, but it may be recognised at all ages by the white inner margins

to the primaries reaching the tip and even some little way up the outer

web. The bill in the breeding season is black; legs and feet red. Length

15·5 in.; wing 9 in.

THE COMMON TERN

Sterna fluviatilis, Naumann

This species arrives in May and nests in colonies round the whole of the

coast as well as on some inland waters. In England it is the commonest

Tern, but in Scotland and Ireland the Arctic Tern is almost if not quite

as numerous, and both species may often be found nesting on the same

island or beach.

Its food consists of small fish and crustacea, which it catches after

the manner of all Terns by dropping down on them with closed wings from

a moderate height.

[Illustration: COMMON TERN

_Sterna fluviatilis_

Summer. Young flying]

They nest in colonies on rocks, shingle beaches, or near the margins of

large inland waters, and very little attempt at a nest is made, though

this species almost invariably gathers a few bents together. The eggs

are usually three in number, often only two, and are very variable in

colour, being as a rule greenish or stone buff, with brown and grey

spots and markings.

The note is a sharp "kik-kik," but during the nesting season they utter

a loud "ee-arre," which is rather characteristic of this species.

The young are covered with pale brown down mottled with black, and leave

the nest as soon as they are hatched, but they remain near the spot

until they are fully fledged and well able to fly, as they are during

that period entirely dependent on their parents for food.

Soon after the young can fly, old and young gradually disperse along the

coast, slowly working southwards till by the beginning of October the

last straggler has left for its winter quarters in Africa.

In summer the adult has the crown of the head and nape black, the rest

of the back pearl-grey; rump white; tail feathers white with greyish

outer webs. Under parts white tinged with grey. Bill orange red with

_horn-coloured tip_; legs coral red. The sexes are alike. In winter the

forehead is sprinkled with white and the under parts nearly pure white.

The young in its first plumage has the head white; spotted with blackish

brown, the feathers of the back pale pearl-grey barred with buff or

brown and tipped with white; by late autumn, however, the back is pure

grey with the exception of a dark band along the carpal joint. Bill and

legs yellowish. Length 14·25 in.; bill 1·7 in.; tail 6·5 in.; wing 10·5

in.

THE ARCTIC TERN

Sterna macrura, Naumann

Except in a few minor points of plumage and in its distribution this

species is the counterpart of the preceding one. In England it is only

met with on migration, though a few pairs may nest in the north, but in

Scotland it is the commonest Tern, breeding in increasing numbers

northwards. In Ireland it breeds commonly, especially on the wind-swept

islets of the north and west. Elsewhere it breeds in circumpolar

regions, and has been met with in winter in Antarctic seas, so that it

has a latitudinal range of from 82° N. to 74° S., probably the largest

range recorded for any one species.

Its nesting habits are similar to those of the Common Tern, and as a

rule it collects absolutely no materials for a lining, but lays its eggs

in a shallow "scrape" or even on the bare rock. The eggs are

indistinguishable in colour from those of the Common Tern, but are on

the average slightly smaller. To the experienced ear the note is also

rather different, but that difference is too slight to be expressed on

paper.

This species may be distinguished from the preceding species by its

blood-red bill, which is _not_ darker at the tip, and the shorter tarsi.

The under parts, especially in summer, are much darker, and the stripe

on the inner web of the flight feathers is narrower and darker than in

_S. fluviatilis_. In other respects these species are almost

indistinguishable. Length 14·5 in.; bill 1·6 in.; tail 7·5 in.; wing 10

in.

THE LITTLE TERN

Sterna minuta, Linnæus

This is the smallest of our Terns and is a summer visitor, breeding in

fair numbers on shingle beaches round the coast but becoming scarcer in

the north.

It may often be seen fishing in small parties at the tidal mouth of some

small stream, especially when the tide is flowing. At such times it

flies slowly towards the sea till it sees a fish, when it stops, hovers

for a moment, and then drops on its prey, rising immediately from the

water to resume its search; after progressing a short distance it will

wheel back and return to its starting-point.

The eggs are laid on the bare sand or shingle without any attempt at a

nest; they are usually three in number and of a pale stone colour

spotted with grey and brown. The note is a sharp "kik."

In summer the head and nape are black, except for the forehead, which is

white. Upper parts grey, tail and under parts white. Bill yellow with a

black tip. Legs orange.

The young have the head white, streaked with blackish brown, mantle grey

with buffish tips, under parts white. In their first autumn plumage they

are very similar to the young of the Sandwich Tern, the feathers of the

back being marked with black, brown, and white. Length 9 in.; wing 6·75

in.

THE SOOTY TERN

Sterna fuliginosa, J. F. Gmelin

Stragglers of this tropical species have on two or three occasions been

met with on our coasts.

There is a white band across the forehead, which extends backwards over

the eye on each side; rest of the upper parts deep sooty black; under

parts white; outer web of outer tail feathers white. Bill and legs

black. Length 17 in.; bill 2·1 in.; tail 7·5 in.; wing 11·75 in.

THE NODDY

Anous stolidus (Linnæus)

Like the former, this is a tropical species, which has on two occasions

wandered to our shores.

The general colour is a dark chocolate brown all over except for the

head, forehead, and crown, which are lavender grey. Length 16 in.; wing

10·5 in.

SABINE'S GULL

Xema sabinii (Joseph Sabine)

This circumpolar species is a very rare autumnal visitor to our shores.

Its chief breeding-grounds are the Arctic regions of North America,

whence it migrates southwards, in winter.

The adult has a slate grey back; the head and neck are very dark grey,

tail and under parts white. In winter the forehead and crown are white.

In their first autumn the young are ash grey on the occiput, nape, and

back. The tail feathers have broad black tips. Length 13 in.; wing 10·75

in.

This species may always be recognised by the forked tail.

THE WEDGE-TAILED GULL

Rhodostethia rosea, Macgillivray

This extremely scarce Arctic Gull is said to have been obtained in

Yorkshire on one occasion. It may be recognised by the wedge-shaped

tail.

The adult is grey on the mantle; the rest of the plumage, except for a

narrow black ring round the neck, is pure white. Length 13·5 in.; wing

10·25 in.

BONAPARTE'S GULL

Larus philadelphia (Ordigny)

This is a common North American species, of which some three examples

have been taken in the United Kingdom.

In summer the adult has the head and neck black; mantle grey; tail and

under parts white. The black on the head is lost in winter. Length 14

in.; wing 10·25 in.

This species may always be recognised by the white margins to the inner

webs of the two outer primaries.

THE LITTLE GULL

Larus minutus, Pallas

This species, which is the smallest of our Gulls, is an irregular autumn

visitor to our shores. It breeds in Northern Russia and possibly on some

of the islands of the Baltic, migrating in winter to the Black Sea and

Mediterranean.

In summer the head and neck are black; mantle grey, primaries grey edged

with white, rest of plumage white except the underside of the wing,

which is black and forms a distinctive characteristic in the adult.

Length 11 in.; wing 8·75 in.

THE BLACK-HEADED GULL

Larus ridibundus, Linnæus

The Black-headed Gull is an extremely abundant species throughout the

United Kingdom at all times of the year. In summer it resorts to various

inland marshes and bogs, where it nests in immense colonies, some of

which have been in use for centuries. In autumn and winter it is found

all along the coast and up tidal rivers, a great many coming to London,

where they are extremely tame and show great agility in catching bread

and other morsels of food thrown to them by pedestrians. The bird is

practically omnivorous. When inland it follows the plough and feeds

largely on worms and beetle grubs which are thus laid bare; but on the

sea-shore, fish, crustacea, marine insects, and garbage are greedily

devoured.

[Illustration: BLACK-HEADED GULL

_Larus ridibundus_

Summer]

The nests are placed in a very wet and boggy place, surrounded, if

possible, by water, but small ponds or tarns in marshy land are chosen

in preference to large sheets of water. The nest is a large untidy heap

of weeds and sticks. Four eggs, which are greenish, spotted and blotched

with various shades of brown, form the usual clutch. The young hatch

after about three weeks' incubation, and are covered with pale brown

down mottled with black. They leave the nest when two or three days old,

but for a week or ten days at least are entirely dependent on their

parents for food; after that, however, though still fed by their

parents, they pick up a good deal for themselves. They fly when about

six weeks old. This gull is extremely noisy at all times, but when the

nesting-ground is approached the babel of harsh screams is deafening.

Although usually settling on the ground, this bird can perch with ease,

and does so not infrequently when at its breeding haunts.

The sexes are alike, and in winter have the back pearl grey, wing

feathers white with dark margins to the inner webs, head white with two

indistinct dark crescents connecting the eyes and ears respectively,

rest of the plumage white. Bill and legs white. In summer the head, with

the exception of a narrow white circle over the eye, is dark brown. Bill

and legs much darker than in summer. The young in their first plumage

are mottled with pale brown, but soon become like the adult except for a

black bar on the tail and pale brown wing coverts. The brown head is

often only partially assumed in their first summer. Length 16 in.; wing

12 in.

THE MEDITERRANEAN BLACK-HEADED GULL

Larus melanocephalus, Natterer

This southern species has only once been taken on our shores, though, as

it visits the west of France not uncommonly, there is no great

improbability in its occurrence here. Its true habitat is the

Mediterranean basin.

It is slightly smaller than the preceding species, and the head is jet

black, _not_ brown. The beak is also stouter. In young birds the first

five primaries are chiefly dark brown, whereas in our species the shafts

and contiguous portion of the inner webs are white. Length 15·5 in.;

wing 11·75 in.

THE GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL

Larus ichthyaëtus, Pallas

This species is found in Egypt, the Levant, the Red Sea, and Persian

Gulf, and only one example is known to have occurred on our shores.

The large size and black head are sufficient to distinguish this species

when adult; young birds may be recognised by the clear-cut dark band

across the tail and by the white margins to the outer webs of the

secondaries. Length of male 26 in.; wing 19 in. The female is much

smaller.

COMMON GULL

Larus canus, Linnæus

This bird is by no means the commonest of our Gulls, but may

nevertheless be found in fair numbers along all our coasts in winter.

It does not breed in England, and in Ireland there are comparatively few

colonies; but in Scotland, on the low islets round the coast as well as

on the lochs and tarns inland, it is abundant in summer as well as in

winter.

It usually nests in small colonies of six or eight pairs on some

low-lying islet near the coast or on a lake, but it avoids during the

breeding season precipitous coasts and exposed situations. The nest is

placed on the ground and composed of a few bits of grass, seaweed, and

heather without any attempt at concealment. The eggs, usually three in

number, are olive brown streaked and spotted with blackish; like most

Gull's eggs, however, they vary considerably in colour. In food and

habits it closely resembles the Black-headed Gull. Its ordinary note is

a harsh cry, but during the nesting season it tries, somewhat feebly, to

imitate the well-known call of the larger Gulls.

In summer the plumage, with the exception of the wings and mantle, is

pure white. The mantle and most of the wing feathers are delicate bluish

grey, but the three outer pairs of flight feathers are black with a

white mirror towards the tip. Bill greenish with yellowish tip, legs

greenish yellow. The sexes are alike, and in winter the head is flecked

with brown. The young in autumn may be distinguished by the black bar on

the tail and brownish wing coverts. Length about 17 in.; wing about 15

in.

THE HERRING GULL

Larus argentatus, J. F. Gmelin

This is the commonest of all our Gulls, and may be found abundantly

throughout the year, round all our coasts. It nests in colonies, usually

on the ledges of precipitous cliffs, although small low islets are

occasionally resorted to. The nest is composed of grass, seaweed, and

other vegetable débris, and the eggs, three in number, are greenish

brown with brown and grey markings, but they are not infrequently of a

uniform pale blue. Incubation is undertaken by both sexes. The young as

a rule remain in or near the nest till fully fledged, but when the nest

is low down near the shore they leave it much sooner. The Herring Gull

is practically omnivorous; fish, rats, crustacea, and garbage thrown up

by the tide are all equally appreciated, and when nesting near colonies

of Guillemots and Cormorants it systematically hunts the ledges and

devours any uncovered eggs it can find. During the nesting season it is

very noisy and utters a variety of cries; at times the head is bent

right down and suddenly thrown up in the air with a loud "ollick,

ollick," which cry is taken and repeated all over the colony. Young

Gulls first commence to utter this note, which is not peculiar to the

nesting season or to this species, at about three months old. If the

colony be approached the birds utter a short "ow-ow"; the pairing note

is a deep "mau," not unlike a cat's "miau," and a soft purring "ououou,"

the latter note being uttered while the bird sits down and toys with

grass or other material at hand.

[Illustration: HERRING GULL

_Larus argentatus_

Summer]

The adult in summer has the mantle French grey, secondaries grey tipped

with white, outer primaries black with white tips and large subapical

"mirrors." The rest of the plumage is white. Bill yellow with a red

patch at the basal angle. Legs flesh-coloured. The female is said to be

smaller than the male, but the difference is not always very apparent.

In winter the head and neck are streaked with brownish.

The young in the first autumn are mottled all over with pale brown. They

do not become fully adult until their fourth year, though they may

sometimes breed in their third year. The adult plumage is assumed

gradually, and there is much individual variation both as regards the

time and method in which it is assumed. As a rule, however, some grey

feathers appear on the back during the first summer; after the second

autumn moult the under parts are chiefly white flecked with brown, but

the back is chiefly brown. In their second summer much of the brown on

the head and under parts is lost, the mantle becomes very grey, and the

bill begins to show signs of yellow. The wing coverts and tail are,

however, still very mottled.

After the third autumn moult the under parts, head, and neck are much as

in the adult birds but more thickly mottled, the back chiefly grey, but

the wing coverts, wings, and tail are still very brownish. In their

third summer they are practically in adult plumage except for the wings

and tail and a remnant of black on the bill. After the fourth autumn

moult they are in full adult plumage except that the bill may still show

some traces of black and occasionally the tail has some brown flecks,

but by the time their fourth summer comes round they are in full adult

plumage and breed.

Immature birds are seldom seen among colonies of adults during the

summer, and it is still somewhat doubtful where they spend the summer;

possibly round some islets out at sea where food is plentiful. Length 24

in.; wing 17 in.

THE LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL

Larus fuscus, Linnæus

Very closely allied to the Herring Gull, this species is tolerably

common everywhere, but is rather more local in the breeding season. In

England it nests but sparingly and only in the west, but in Scotland it

becomes much more abundant, and in some districts commits considerable

havoc among the game-birds on the moors.

It chooses for its breeding-quarters some grassy slope on the top of the

cliffs or on an islet in one of the numerous firths in the west of

Scotland. In Ireland it is generally distributed and nests sparingly

round the coast. In all its habits this species so closely resembles the

Herring Gull that further description is unnecessary.

The adult only differs from the preceding species in being black on the

mantle and wing coverts, and in the colour of the legs, which are

yellow. Length 22 in.; wing 16 in.

It is almost impossible to distinguish the young of this species in

their first autumn.

THE GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL

Larus marinus, Linnæus

This species may be found during the winter on almost any part of our

shores, but it is by no means so abundant as the Herring Gull.

As a breeding species in England it is rather scarce, chiefly owing to

lack of suitable places, but in Scotland it is abundant. It is a bold

and majestic species, with a fine soaring flight, but we must

acknowledge that it is terribly destructive to weakly lambs and young

water-fowl. Practically omnivorous, nothing comes amiss to this

rapacious bird, and its food consists largely of carrion and other

refuse of the shore. Although it has often been denied, this and other

species of Gulls can completely immerse themselves and pick up food from

the bottom in at least three feet of water, and we have repeatedly

observed them do so in captivity. Having marked some food at the bottom

of the water, they rise to a height of about four feet and forcibly

precipitate themselves into the water with half-open wings; they are

nevertheless extremely buoyant, and occasionally bob up on to the

surface again before they have attained their object.

An isolated "stack" or islet in a loch is commandeered by a pair of

these birds for their summer home. The nest, composed of grass and

rubbish, is usually placed on the highest point. They lay two or three

eggs, which are stone buff in colour, blotched and spotted with light

brown and grey.

The most usual note is a deep "ow, ow, ow." In plumage the adult is

almost the counterpart of the preceding, but the legs are

flesh-coloured. Length 23 in.; wing 19 in.

The young are mottled and barred with various shades of brown and buff,

but are rather lighter in colour than those of the Herring Gull. The

adult plumage is assumed by precisely the same stages as in the other

species, and they may occasionally become fully adult in their third

summer.

THE GLAUCOUS GULL

Larus glaucus, O. Fabricius

This large white-winged Gull is an annual visitor to the north of

Scotland, but southwards it becomes scarcer, and it is only in very

severe weather that it visits the south of England. Its breeding range

is circumpolar, its nearest breeding-place to our shores being in

Iceland.

[Illustration: GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL

_Larus marinus_

Summer (right). Young, first autumn (left)]

The mantle and wings are pearl-grey, with white tips to the secondaries

and outermost webs of the quills. Orbital ring vermilion. Legs pink.

Immature birds are whitish uniformly and thickly mottled with ash grey.

Length 29 in.; wing 18 in.

THE ICELAND GULL

Larus leucopterus, Faber

This species is very closely allied in plumage and habits to the

preceding. It is a winter visitor to the shores of Scotland, only coming

south in severe weather. It breeds on Jan Mayen Islands and Greenland,

and is only a winter visitor to the island whose name it bears.

Except in size it is almost a counterpart of the Glaucous Gull, but the

orbital ring is flesh-coloured, and the legs yellowish. Length 22 in.;

wing 16 in.

THE KITTIWAKE GULL

Rissa tridactyla (Linnæus)

With the Kittiwake we come to a species of Gull which differs in its

general build from those we have hitherto dealt with. It is rather

shorter in the leg, which gives it a somewhat "squat" appearance, and it

does not run about on land with the same facility. In correlation with

this we find it to be a much more pelagic species, and though found

commonly round our shores, it gets most of its food on the water and is

rarely to be found among the large flocks of other Gulls that spend much

of their time on the shore itself. Its food consists almost entirely of

fish, in pursuit of which it dives and swims under water with ease.

It nests on the ledges of precipitous cliffs in immense colonies, and in

some cases the population of these colonies must amount to very many

thousands. The nest is built of seaweed and other flotsam, and is often

larger than the narrow ledge on which it is placed. The eggs, two or

three in number, are usually pale greyish white, blotched and zoned with

ash grey and brown; the shell is rougher in texture than in the other

species. They are laid very late in the season, so that it is generally

July before the young are hatched. Both sexes take part in the

incubation, and the young are entirely nidicolous, not leaving the nest

till they are well able to fly.

In summer the adults very closely resemble the common Gull, but it is a

smaller bird, and the black legs, on which the hind toe is absent, form

an unfailing characteristic. In winter the nape and hind neck are grey

like the mantle. Length 15·5 in.; wing 12 in.

The young bird in its first autumn has the nape greyish but darker than

in the adult, and the wing coverts and inner secondaries are thickly

spotted with brownish black.

[Illustration: KITTIWAKE

_Rissa tridactyla_

Summer (below). Winter (above)]

THE IVORY GULL

Pagophila eburnea (Phipps)

Some thirty or forty examples of this Arctic Gull have been taken in

these islands; it is entirely circumpolar in distribution and breeds on

Spitzbergen, Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, and other Arctic regions.

The adult is entirely white; bill greenish grey with a red tip; legs

black, the hind toe being well developed. The young bird is mostly

white, but spotted on the back, wings, and tail with brownish black.

Length 18 in.; wing 13 in.

THE GREAT SKUA

Megalestris catarrhactes (Linnæus)

The Skuas are a group of birds closely allied to the Gulls, being very

similar in general build, but both the claws and beaks are sharper and

more hooked.

As a rule they chase Gulls and Terns, compelling them by so doing to

disgorge their last meal; this the Skua then devours, leaving the Gull

in peace to hunt for more. They are not, however, always content with

this second-hand dinner, but sometimes kill and eat the Gulls

themselves; they also devour offal and carrion.

The Great Skua is a scarce species, and is but seldom seen round our

shores. The only breeding-stations within the United Kingdom are on two

islands of the Shetlands, where it is strictly protected. During the

winter, unless driven inshore by stress of weather, it keeps out at sea,

remaining near the Gulls on the fishing-grounds.

The nest is a "scrape" among the heather on the highest part of some

island, and the eggs, two in number, are olive brown with darker

markings. In defence of their home this species is very bold, sweeping

down continually at an intruder and even striking at him with their

wings.

The sexes are alike, and are dark brown above with chestnut and whitish

mottlings; below they are of a uniform rufous brown. The claws are

hooked and sharp. Length 21 in.; wing 16 in.

The young resemble their parents.

THE POMATORHINE SKUA

Stercorarius pomatorhinus (Temminck)

This bird, especially when immature, is not very rare on our eastern

shores during the autumn migration in September and October, a few even

wintering off our south coast. On the return migration in spring it is

very rarely seen.

It breeds in Eastern Siberia and thence eastward across Arctic America

to Greenland.

The adult has the head sooty black. The hind neck whitish with straw

yellow acuminate feathers. Upper parts brown, two central tail feathers

longer than the rest and twisted vertically. Under parts whitish, except

the flanks and abdomen, which are brown. Length 21 in.; wing 14·25 in.

The young bird in its first autumn is brown mottled and barred with dull

rufous. It takes more than a year to assume the full adult plumage.

THE ARCTIC OR RICHARDSON'S SKUA

Stercorarius crepidatus (J. F. Gmelin)

This is the commonest of the Skuas, occurring on all the Scottish coasts

and being fairly common in the east of England every autumn. In Ireland

and the west of England it is only an irregular straggler.

It breeds in the Shetlands, Orkneys, and the north of Scotland, some

moor at no great distance from the sea being chosen as a summer home. No

nest is made, but a depression is formed in the moss or grass on which

the two brownish green eggs, blotched with darker brown, are laid. The

young when first hatched are covered with dark brown down.

In its habits and food it does not differ from the other Skuas.

This species is dimorphic, one form having light under parts, and the

other being of a uniform sooty brown all over. The light-coloured birds

predominate in the north of their breeding area and the dark ones in the

south, but when they meet they breed indiscriminately, and intermediates

of all shades are found. The central tail feathers are longer than the

rest. Length 20 in.; wing 13 in.

The young vary considerably, but are usually brown, mottled and spotted

with chestnut, while in some the chestnut colour is almost entirely

wanting.

THE LONG-TAILED OR BUFFOUS SKUA

Stercorarius parasiticus (Linnæus)

This is a rare species to all our shores, but a few, chiefly immature

birds, visit the east coast yearly, and in some seasons become quite

common. It is a circumpolar species, breeding on the tundras throughout

Europe, Asia, and America, and migrating in winter as far south as the

basin of the Mediterranean.

In its habits it resembles other Skuas, but in addition to robbing

Gulls, it feeds largely on beetles and worms, and the young eat a large

quantity of crowberries when in their summer-quarters.

The adult has the top of the head black, cheeks and hind neck buffish

yellow, mantle and tail, the two central feathers of which are much

elongated, grey brown, wings darker. Under parts chiefly white, brownish

on the flanks and belly. Length 23 in.; tail 8·5 in.; wing 11·9 in.

Immature birds are barred above and below with brown and yellowish

white. It is sometimes rather difficult to distinguish between the young

of this and the preceding species; the present species is, however,

always much greyer and less rufous, and has the shafts of the _two

outer_ primaries _white_, the rest being _dusky_, whereas in the Arctic

Skua the shafts of all the primaries are _white_.

[Illustration: RICHARDSON'S SKUA

_Stercorarius crepidatus_

Adult (above). Young (below)]

THE RAZORBILL

Alca torda, Linnæus

The Alcidæ are pre-eminently pelagic birds that spend their whole life

out on the ocean except for a few short weeks every year, when they

assemble in thousands on precipitous cliffs to breed.

During most of the year the Razorbill lives far out at sea in the

Atlantic, never coming within sight of land unless driven inshore by

some winters gale.

It is an expert swimmer and diver, and though it flies well and swiftly

with rapid beats of its small wings, it rarely avails itself of that

means of progression. It feeds entirely on small fish. Early in April it

repairs to the cliff where it is to breed, but it is not until May that

the large single egg is deposited in some nook or recess of the cliff

often quite hidden from view. If, however, suitable recesses are not

handy, it will content itself with an open ledge. The egg is white or

buffish in ground colour, boldly marked with chocolate brown and black.

Incubation, which is carried on by both sexes, lasts about five weeks.

The young bird when first hatched is covered with short down and is

blackish on the back, white beneath, and yellowish on the head. It

remains in the nest for about three weeks, by which time it is covered

on the back and breast with downy feathers and has tiny wing feathers

caused, as in the case of the game birds, by the rapid growth of the

primary wing coverts.

At this age the young may be found in the sea, having presumably been

carried down by their parents; they can swim readily, but it is said

that unless forcibly made to dive by their parents they remain on the

surface. In captivity, however, they dive without hesitation on the

least sign of alarm, using both wings and feet, and progress with

considerable rapidity under water.

At the age of about two months the flight feathers proper begin to grow,

and then the autumnal moult takes place.

In summer the adult has the head, neck, chin, throat, and back deep

blackish brown, a narrow line from the eye to the culmen white, and the

rest of the under parts white. The bill is black and vertically

flattened; it has two or more grooves near the tip that are whitish. It

varies greatly in size, and is much larger in some individuals than in

others, this difference being probably due to age. The sexes are alike,

and in winter the chin and throat are white. Except in the size of the

bill, the young bird resembles the adult after the first moult. Length

17 in.; wing 7·3 in.

[Illustration: RAZORBILL

_Alca torda_

Adult (left). Young (right)]

THE GREAT AUK

Alca impennis, Linnæus

So much has been written on this now extinct species that it need hardly

be mentioned here.

The last living example was killed off Iceland in 1844, and the last

British example was captured in 1834 in Waterford Harbour.

In former times it was abundant round Newfoundland, and especially on

Funk Island, where the fishermen used to salt it down for food, and soon

extirpated it.

In appearance it was like a large Razorbill, but it had very small wings

and was quite incapable of flight. The lores and under parts were white,

upper parts black. Length 32 in.; wing 4·25 in.

THE COMMON GUILLEMOT

Uria troile (Linnæus)

In its habits, food, and actions this species closely resembles the

Razorbill, and they are usually found breeding on the same cliffs. The

numbers at a colony can only be reckoned in countless thousands, the

birds sitting crowded together as close as possible.

This species lays its egg on the bare open ledges and never seeks the

nooks and recesses made use of by the Razorbill. The eggs are very

pear-shaped, a wise provision which prevents their rolling off the

narrow ledges on which they are laid. In colour they are most variable;

the commonest variety is greenish in ground colour with brown or black

streaks and markings; cream varieties somewhat resembling those of the

Razorbill are not uncommon, but they may always be distinguished by the

_yellowish white_ lining membrane, whereas in the Razorbill the membrane

is _greenish_.

The young bird when first hatched is covered with iron-grey down on

those parts of the body which are brown in the summer dress of the

adult. The under parts are white and there are a few bits of white down

on the head.

In its habits and moults it resembles the young Razorbill.

In summer the adult has the upper parts, chin, and throat dark brown,

and the rest of the body white. The black bill is long, pointed, and

sharp, and not flattened as in the Razorbill. At the autumnal moult the

brown on the chin, throat, and back of the head is replaced by white,

and in this and the other allied species all the flight feathers are

moulted at the same time. Length 18 in.; wing 7·5 in.

There is a curious variety of this bird known as the Ringed or Bridled

Guillemot, which may be distinguished in summer by having a narrow white

ring round the eye which stretches backwards for a short distance along

the feather crease behind it.

[Illustration: COMMON GUILLEMOT

_Uria Troile_

Adult, summer (left). Young (right)]

BRÜNNICH'S GUILLEMOT

Uria bruennichi, E. Sabine

This species breeds in the north of Iceland, Greenland, Spitzbergen, and

on suitable cliffs throughout the Far North. Some three or four examples

only have been taken off our shores.

In habits and appearance it very closely resembles the preceding

species, but it may be recognised by the general colour being much

darker and lacking the brownish tint of the common species. The bill is

stouter and black with a whitish line along the upper mandible from the

nostrils to the gape. Length 18 in.; wing 8·25 in.

THE BLACK GUILLEMOT

Uria grylle (Linnæus)

In England this species is rare even in winter, but in Scotland and

Ireland it is fairly common, and breeds in suitable spots round all the

coasts.

The Black Guillemot differs in many respects from the other Auks and it

is never found in vast colonies, though several pairs will often breed

in close proximity. Some hole or recess in a cliff or among broken rocks

on a steep slope is chosen and two eggs are deposited, which are whitish

spotted with grey and brown and elliptical in shape. Both sexes take

part in the incubation, and the young are said not to leave the nest

until they are fully fledged. Their food consists of fish and

crustaceans, which they obtain by diving.

The sexes are alike in plumage, and in summer are of a uniform sooty

brown all over, with the exception of a patch on the wing, which is

white. Bill black. Legs vermilion red.

In winter the crown is black marked with white, the back barred with

black and white, and the rest of the plumage white. The young resemble

the adults in winter but are rather whiter. Length 14 in.; wing 6·5 in.

THE LITTLE AUK

Mergulus alle (Linnæus)

This species is an inhabitant of Arctic seas, breeding in Greenland,

Spitzbergen, and Franz Josef Land, but it does not occur in Arctic

America nor to the east of the Kara Sea. In winter it migrates

southwards and a few are found round our northern shores every year, but

in severe winters it often occurs in considerable numbers, and many

storm-driven birds are found in a dying condition far inland.

There is a small white spot over the eye, but otherwise the plumage is

sooty black on the upper parts. The under parts are white, but in summer

the chin and throat are black. Length 8·5 in.; wing 4·65 in.

[Illustration: BLACK GUILLEMOT

_Uria grylle_

Summer (below). Winter (above)]

PUFFIN

Fratercula arctica (Linnæus)

One of the most fascinating points in connection with this quaint bird

is that for at least six months in every year we know nothing, or

comparatively nothing, of its habits or whereabouts.

Towards the middle of April it suddenly appears at certain well-known

haunts and proceeds forthwith to set up housekeeping.

A hole or cranny in a rock or, where possible, a rabbit-burrow is fixed

upon as its home, and the same entrance is often shared by several pairs

as well as the rabbit.

A weird little creature is our friend as he sits bolt upright on his

doorstep, turning round every now and again to bill and coo with his

mate, their large orange-red beaks and feet showing up brightly against

their black-and-white plumage. The wings are so short that this bird

finds some difficulty in rising from a flat surface, and when on the

wing will often fly round in spiral curves in order to reach the summit

of the cliff. In flight the legs are held spread out behind on either

side of the very short tail and help to act as rudders.

The large single white egg being laid, both birds take their turn at

incubation, and invariably sit with their head facing the entrance, and

woe betide any one who by mistake enters the wrong hole, for their beaks

are exceeding sharp and powerful, and they cling on with all the

tenacity of a bull-dog.

They feed chiefly by night and spend the day resting on the water or at

the mouth of their burrows. The food consists of small fry, and when

feeding their young as many as three or four fish are caught and carried

up in their bill at the same time. If approached by boat, they remain

till one is just on them, and then suddenly dive. Under the water their

progress is extremely rapid, and both wings and feet are brought into

play, but especially the former.

The young are clad in very thick long down of a dark smoke-grey colour.

As they grow they will often move about the passage, running to the

entrance and meeting their parents, but never venturing outside, while

if they meet another young one bound on a similar errand a stern fight

ensues.

Not, however, till they are fully fledged do they leave the burrow and

then immediately take to the water, on which they are quite at home,

swimming and diving with ease from the very first.

The parents, whose plumage has lately been showing signs of wear, now

commence to moult, and shed at the same time the ornate sheath at the

base of the bill and over the eye, while the beak itself becomes dark

and the rosette at the corners of the mouth shrinks. A few more days and

by the end of August they have gone--where? They are never seen, and the

only evidence of their existence is the occasional occurrence of a dead

or starving individual washed ashore or blown inland by a winter's gale.

The head, nape, and the whole of the upper parts and a broad collar

round the throat are black. Scales of the head and under parts white.

Legs deep orange. Bill chiefly red and orange. The young resemble the

parents, except that the beak is much smaller and the legs are pale

flesh-coloured. The mode of growth of their wings is quite distinct from

that of the Guillemot, the primaries being grown simultaneously with the

rest of the plumage. Length 13 in.; wing 6 in.

THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

Colymbus glacialis, Linnæus

During autumn and winter this species is by no means rare along our

coasts. It does not remain to breed on any part of Great Britain, but

breeds to the north-west in Iceland, Greenland, and North America.

It feeds entirely on fish, and the adults generally keep well out at

sea, unless the weather be stormy, so that the individuals that frequent

our shores are mostly immature.

In autumn the young bird has the feathers of the back greyish brown with

paler margins; under parts whitish. Bill brownish horn colour.

The adult in its breeding dress has the back black, each feather having

two square white spots; the head and neck are black with a purplish

gloss, except for two crescentic bands on the fore neck, which are

longitudinally striped with white and black. After the autumn moult the

whole of the upper parts are pale slaty blue, the head and nape dusky

grey, chin and throat white. This plumage is, however, worn for an

exceedingly short time and is rarely complete, signs of the new breeding

dress appearing before all old feathers have been cast.

The winter feathers of the head and neck are downy. Length 30·32 in.;

wing 13·14 in.

THE WHITE-BILLED NORTHERN DIVER

Colymbus adamsi, G. R. Grey

This species breeds in the Far North, wandering south in winter; two or

three examples have been taken on our shores, and it is probable that

owing to its resemblance to the preceding species it has been often

overlooked.

The chief characteristic is the bill, which is yellowish white at all

seasons, and the lower mandible is also markedly upturned. The white

streaks on the transverse throat bands are much fewer in number than in

the preceding species. Length about 33 in.; wing 15·1 in.

THE BLACK-THROATED DIVER

Colymbus arcticus, Linnæus

The Black-throated Diver is very rare in England, and the few examples

that are obtained are usually immature. In Ireland it has only been

taken at long intervals, but in Scotland it breeds locally throughout

the north and west.

The site chosen for the nest is usually an islet in some large loch, and

the eggs, two in number, are olive brown, sparsely spotted with black

and brown. The young when first hatched are of a uniform smoky

grey-brown.

In its habits it closely resembles the next species. In summer the back

is black, spotted with white, but the spots are not so uniformly

distributed as in the former species. Crown and hind neck ash grey, chin

and throat black, margined with short black and white stripes and a

small band of similar stripes towards the upper end of the patch. Under

parts white. The sexes are alike, but the females are slightly smaller.

After the autumn moult the chin and throat are white and the upper parts

ash brown.

The young bird resembles the young of the Great Northern Diver, but is

much smaller and the neck is greyer. Length 27 in.; wing 11·75 in.

THE RED-THROATED DIVER

Colymbus septentrionalis, Linnæus

This species is the commonest of the Divers and may be found along all

our coasts during the winter months. In the breeding season, except for

a few pairs that may still be found on some of the Irish loughs, it is

restricted to Scotland so far as our islands are concerned.

The eggs are laid close to the margin of some small tarn or on an islet

in a large loch, but the former situation is the one preferred; they are

elongate and olive brown, spotted with umber. The young leave the nest

as soon as they are hatched, but they are not very strong divers at

first and receive all their food from their parents; in fact this

species often nests on ponds destitute of fish, and journeys several

miles to the sea or large loch daily for its food. If the nest be

approached the sitting bird glides off and dives without a ripple,

reappearing again some way off. The note is a loud and mournful "kark,

kark, kakera."

In winter the adult is brown on the back, spotted with small white

spots. The under parts are pure white, and head and neck, on which the

feathers are very downy, are greyish brown on the crown and nape and

white on the chin and throat. In summer the white spots on the back

disappear; the crown and nape are slate grey streaked with black; the

sides of the head and neck are pale grey and there is a longitudinal

patch of chestnut down the fore-neck. The sexes are alike in plumage.

The young bird in winter may be distinguished by the spots on the back

being longer and tending to form arrow-shaped markings, and the feathers

of the vent have narrow brown margins. Length 24 in.; wing 11·2 in.

[Illustration: RED-THROATED DIVER

_Colymbus septentrionalis_

Adult in summer (right). Young (left)]

THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE

Podicipes cristatus (Linnæus)

In the course of these pages we have often had to lament the

extermination or decrease of many species, so that it is a real pleasure

to have to record that a fine species like the present has increased

abundantly of late years.

This has been largely brought about by very strict protection, and

although still local, there are many places where it is now common, and

in Scotland it breeds on several lochs as far north as Aberdeenshire. In

Ireland also it nests in several localities. It is practically a

resident and may be found with us at all times of the year, but after

the breeding season the majority leave their summer haunts and may be

found in the estuaries and bays along the coast. The nest is a large

floating mass of decaying vegetation generally well hidden among thick

reeds, though occasionally it is placed in the open. The eggs, usually

four in number, are yellowish white when first laid, but soon become

stained to a dirty brown from contact with the decaying vegetable matter

with which they are always covered when the sitting bird leaves the

nest. The young when first hatched are dark brown, longitudinally

striped with white; they are carefully tended by both their parents, who

often carry them on their backs. The food consists of fish, crustaceans,

and any other living food which may be found.

This bird may usually be seen swimming about in the centre of the open

water, its long neck and low flat back enabling it to be easily

recognised.

It flies well and strongly, appearing when on the wing rather like a

Duck.

In winter it is dark brown above and white below, but in spring it

assumes a chestnut tippet which surrounds the face; the crown of the

head is dark brown, the cheeks and a stripe over the eye white.

The female is rather duller but otherwise resembles the male. The young

in their first plumage are much like the adults in winter. Length 21

in.; wing 7·5 in.

THE RED-NECKED GREBE

Podicipes griseigena (Boddaert)

On the east coast of England this species is not uncommon during the

winter months, and in some seasons becomes quite abundant. Elsewhere in

our area it is decidedly rare, and not more than five or six examples

are recorded from Ireland. It is plentiful in the south of Scandinavia,

the Baltic, and North Russia, whence it migrates southwards throughout

Europe in the winter. In habits and food it does not appreciably differ

from the preceding species.

The crown and nape are blackish, upper parts dark brown with a white

patch on the secondaries.

Cheeks, chin, and throat grey; neck rich chestnut red; rest of under

parts white. Length 18 in.; wing 7 in.

[Illustration: GREAT CRESTED GREBE

_Podicipes cristatus_

Adult, summer (right). Young (left)]

THE SLAVONIAN OR HORNED GREBE

Podicipes auritus (Linnæus)

This is a northern species, breeding in Iceland, Scandinavia, and

Russia, which visits our shores, especially in the east, annually, and

in the north of Scotland it is quite common. Ireland is also regularly

visited on migration every year.

In summer the upper parts are dark brown; the crown, forehead, chin, and

tippet black, and a tuft of elongated feathers on each side of the head

chestnut. Secondaries white, _except the three outer ones, which are

dusky like the primaries_; neck, breast, and flanks warm chestnut; belly

white. In winter the crest is absent; the under parts are white. The

young resemble their parents in winter dress. Length 13·5 in.; wing 5·5

in.

THE BLACK-NECKED OR EARED GREBE

Podicipes nigricollis, C. L. Brehm

Unlike the preceding species, this is a southern Grebe, stragglers of

which are occasionally met with most frequently in spring, and there is

evidence that it may have nested with us on more than one occasion. To

Scotland and Ireland it is a very rare wanderer.

The adult in spring has the head and neck black with a triangular patch

of yellowish chestnut feathers on the ear coverts; upper parts dark

brown; under parts white; flanks chestnut. All the secondaries _white_,

and _a good deal of white on the four innermost primaries_. Bill black,

_up-curved in front of the angle_. In winter the ear tufts and black on

the throat are lost, and at this season it closely resembles the

preceding species, but the _white_ on the primaries will always serve to

distinguish it. Length 12 in.; wing 5 in.

THE LITTLE GREBE OR DABCHICK

Podicipes fluviatilis (Tunstall)

The Little Grebe is abundant on rivers, streams, and ponds throughout

the country, but becomes scarcer in the north of Scotland. It must be

tolerably familiar to every one as a short squat little bird that dives

at the smallest alarm, only coming to the surface again some distance

away, most often among the reeds and aquatic vegetation near which this

bird is always found. The nest is a fair-sized mass of dead weeds

floating on the surface of the water and generally moored to some reed

stems.

The eggs, usually five in number, are of a uniform yellowish white, but

soon become discoloured by the weeds with which they are always covered

when the bird is not sitting. The nestling is striped, and fed by its

parents on insects and small fish. These birds are seldom seen on the

wing and hardly ever on land, but nevertheless they are well able to

stand up and even walk when on shore.

In summer the plumage, except for the cheeks, throat, and sides of the

neck, which are chestnut, is dark brown all over, rather lighter on the

under parts.

In winter the chin, neck, and under parts are nearly white. The plumage

of the young resembles the winter dress of their parents but is a little

duller, and there is more white about the cheeks. Length 9·5 in.; wing 4

in.

THE STORM PETREL

Procellaria pelagica, Linnæus

This is the commonest of the Petrels which come to our shores to breed,

for as a rule these birds live far out at sea and only visit the shore

to breed or when driven inland by stress of weather or on migration.

About their migrations little or nothing is known, but in October and

November this species regularly strikes many of our lighthouses and

lightships, being attracted by the light. It is found along the whole of

the countries fringing the Atlantic, and nests from the Faroes

southwards, and also along the shores of the western end of the

Mediterranean.

The single white egg is deposited during the latter half of June down

holes in heaps of stones, in rabbit-burrows, or in any other spot

affording suitable concealment. Incubation, which is probably undertaken

by both sexes, lasts about thirty-five days, the nestling when hatched

being covered with long black down. Their food consists of crustaceans,

small fish, and fatty matter of any kind. They are nocturnal, during the

breeding season at all events, only leaving their retreat after dark and

returning before dawn, so that it is very difficult to detect their

presence. The sitting bird, however, utters a curious note while

sitting, and a strong musky odour pervades the burrow, so that by this

means the nest may frequently be found. If handled, the bird emits a

greenish oil.

In England it only nests sparingly on the coast of Wales and in the

Scilly Islands, but in Scotland and Ireland its breeding places are

numerous.

The adult is sooty black all over, but the bases of the tail coverts are

white and the edges of the wing coverts are slightly edged with white.

Length 6·5 in.; wing 4·7 in.

LEACH'S FORK-TAILED PETREL

Oceanodroma leucorrhoa (Vieillot)

This species is a regular but not very numerous visitor to our shores

every autumn, its numbers depending largely on the weather, and after

heavy gales it is often found inland. It nests in small numbers on St.

Kilda and some of the Outer Hebrides, and has also been found nesting

off the coast of Kerry; and in time many other breeding stations will

probably be found on the islands of our western shores. The single egg

is white freckled with rusty spots. In its food and habits it resembles,

so far as they are known, those of the Storm Petrel.

The adult is dark leaden black, rather more sooty below; upper tail

coverts white; tail sooty black and deeply forked. Length 8 in.; wing 6

in.

[Illustration: STORM PETREL

_Procellaria pelagica_

(right)

LEACH'S PETREL

_Oceanodromas leucorrhoa_

(left)]

MADEIRAN FORK-TAILED PETREL

Oceanodroma castro (Harcourt)

An example of this bird was picked up dead in Kent in December 1895.

The home of this species is the islands lying off the west of Africa,

viz. Cape Verde, Madeira, Desertas, Salvages, and Canaries, from whence

individuals occasionally wander to Europe.

This species very closely resembles Leach's Petrel, but the tail is

hardly forked; the upper tail coverts are white tipped with black; and

the bases of the tail feathers are white. Length nearly 8 in.; wing 5·9

in.

WILSON'S PETREL

Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl)

This bird is almost cosmopolitan in distribution, but perhaps the South

Atlantic is its main home, and it is commoner up the North American

coast than on this side. Several examples have been shot in this

country. The legs and wings are longer than in the preceding species and

the webs of the feet are _yellow_ at their bases. The general colour

above and below is sooty brown with white on upper tail coverts and

thigh patches, and also at the base of the outer tail feathers. Length 7

in.; wing 6 in.

THE FRIGATE PETREL

Pelagodroma marina (Latham)

Of late years two examples of this Petrel have been washed up on our

shores. The Salvages are the nearest breeding haunts of this species,

but it is also found in the south seas.

The crown, nape, and patch behind the eye are slate grey; upper parts

grey; wing coverts brown; quills blackish. Tail black; under parts white

tinged with grey on the flanks. Length 7·75 in.; wing 6·25 in.

THE GREAT SHEARWATER

Puffinus gravis, O'Reilly

This species is a fairly regular summer visitor to the waters round our

coasts, but it does not often approach the land.

Nothing is known of its breeding haunts, which are probably in the

Antarctic seas.

The upper parts are ash brown, mottled with white on the upper tail

coverts. Under parts white, sometimes brownish on the belly. Legs

pinkish. Length 19 in.; wing 12·7 in.

THE SOOTY SHEARWATER

Puffinus griseus (J. F. Gmelin)

This species visits us yearly but is much scarcer than the Great

Shearwater.

Its only known nesting haunts are in Chatham Islands and others near New

Zealand, but the birds which visit us probably nest in the South

Atlantic.

The whole of the plumage is brown, rather greyer below and more mottled.

Legs blackish outside, lilac grey within. Length 18 in.; wing 12 in.

THE MEDITERRANEAN GREAT SHEARWATER

Puffinus kuhli (Boie)

A single specimen of this Atlantic and Mediterranean Shearwater was

picked up on the Sussex coast in 1906. It is similar to the Dusky

Shearwater but greyer, wings and tail blackish brown, under parts pure

white. Length 17·25 in.; wing 12·75 in.

THE MANX SHEARWATER

Puffinus anglorum (Temminck)

The Manx Shearwater is the commonest of the Shearwaters that are found

round our coasts. It is resident with us throughout the year, feeding

chiefly on fish, offal, etc., that it finds on or near the surface.

During the nesting season it retires to secluded parts of the coast,

where it lays its single white egg in rabbit-burrows or other crevices.

It is not known to breed on the east coast, but down the west from Wales

northwards as well as in Ireland it breeds commonly, though from its

nocturnal habits the nest is not always easy to find.

It may be distinguished when flying by its rounded wings and its habit

of progressing with wings held motionless close over the surface of the

water.

The crown, nape, and upper parts are sooty black, under parts white,

except for a patch of sooty brown behind the thighs; legs and feet

flesh-coloured; outer toes black. Length 15 in.; wing 9·5 in.

THE LITTLE DUSKY SHEARWATER

Puffinus assimilis, Gould

This is another species inhabiting the Salvages and islands off the west

coast of Africa.

Some three or four examples have been obtained, which were originally

wrongly identified as _P. obscurus_, an American species.

The upper parts are slaty black and under parts white. Bill and legs

blackish; webs yellow. Length 10·5 in.; wing 7·4 in.

THE CAPPED PETREL

Æstrelata hæsitata (Kuhl)

Extremely little is known of this species, which used to nest in the

West Indies. It has occurred here on one occasion only.

The crown, nape, and mantle are dark brown; hind-neck and upper tail

coverts white; cheeks grey; forehead and under parts white; central tail

feathers brownish black; the rest, white edged with brown. Length 16

in.; wing 11·3 in.

THE COLLARED PETREL

Æstrelata brevipes (Peale)

A single example of this Petrel was obtained off the coast of Wales in

December 1889. The southern and western Pacific appear to be its true

home.

The crown is slaty grey; rest of upper parts darker, becoming browner on

the wing coverts. Forehead and throat white; rest of under parts white,

sometimes tinged with grey. Length 11·5 in.; wing 8·7 in.

BULWER'S PETREL

Bulweria bulweri (Jardine and Selby)

This small Petrel is a common resident in the Canaries and neighbouring

islands, but only one individual has straggled to our shores.

The plumage is of a uniform sooty brown; tail wedge-shaped. Bill black.

Legs reddish brown. Length 11 in.; wing 8 in.

THE FULMAR

Fulmarus glacialis (Linnæus)

Although not very rare, this bird is seldom seen, as it spends most of

its time at sea in attendance on the fishing-boats or on the banks where

the fish abound. In Scotland it nests on St. Kilda and a few of the

other islands of that group; while in the Shetlands, where it was first

known to nest in 1878, it has now spread to several of the neighbouring

stacks.

The nest is placed on a ledge on the face of a precipitous cliff, and

the single egg is pure white with a few reddish-brown spots. The young

are at first nourished on a yellowish oil vomited by the parent birds,

and large numbers are annually taken in St. Kilda for the sake of this

oil. It may easily be distinguished from a Gull on the wing by its

peculiar flight and rounded wings.

The back and tail are grey, the rest of the bird white. Bill yellowish;

legs ash colour. The young resemble their parents. The more northerly

form of this bird has greyish under parts and may be met with in

Scotland in winter. Length 19 in.; wing 13·25 in.

THE BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS

Diomedea melanophrys, Boie

The true home of this species is in the southern seas near the Chatham

Islands and New Zealand, but it has been known for some time past to

occasionally visit the North Atlantic.

A specimen was obtained near Cambridge on the 9th of July 1897.

The adult has a short black band passing through and above the eyes;

back and wings brownish black; tail feathers grey; rest of the plumage

white. Length 27 in.; wing 17 in.