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WILLIAM GEORGE'S SONS LTD.
89 PA.RK STREET, BRISTOL 1

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THE

BIRDS OF DORSETSHIRE

•Baflantgne grow

BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.
EDINBURGH AND LONDON

THE

BIRDS OF DORSETSHIRE

A CONTRIBUTION

TO

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY

BY

J. C. MANSEL-PLEYDELL, B.A., F.L.S., F.G.S.

FORMERLY OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
PRESIDENT OF THE DORSET NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUARIAN FIELD CLUB

ETC. ETC.

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR

BY

R. H. PORTER, 6 TENTERDEN STREET, LONDON, W.

AND

M. & E. CASE, DORCHESTER

INTRODUCTION.

THEEE never was a more favourable time than the
present for the study of the history of the habits of
birds. During the last ten years there have issued
from the press, in parts, no less than four important
ornithological works, three of which are now com-
plete, (i.) Dresser's "Birds of Europe," in 8 vols.
4to, 1871-81, supplies a want which was only
partially satisfied by Bree's "Birds of Europe not
Observed in the British Islands," being, as its title
implies, much more comprehensive. (2.) Yarrell's
"British Birds," 4th edition, in 4 vols. 8vo, 1871-
1885, of which the first two volumes (including
the Accipitres Passer es and Picarice) were edited
by Professor Newton, and the last two (dealing
with the remaining orders) by Mr. Howard Saun-
ders. The important additions made to our know-
ledge since Yarrell's first publication on the subject,
and embodied in this edition, makes it practically
a new work. (3.) Seebohm's " British Birds," with
coloured illustrations of their eggs, 3 vols. 8vo,
1883-85, an excellent work, containing much new
and interesting information derived from the author's

2040239

viii INTRODUCTION.

personal experience, gained not only in the British
Islands, but in many parts of Europe, and notably in
European and Asiatic Siberia, where the nests and
eggs of many so-called rare birds were discovered.
(4.) Booth's "Rough Notes on the Birds Observed
during Twenty Years' Shoooting and Collecting in
the British Islands," a folio work, which has been
appearing in parts with coloured plates since 1881,
and of which the last part has been now published,
details the results of the author's own experience,
and supplies much information concerning the
breeding haunts and habits of birds generally ac-
counted rare as observed in Scotland. The " Hand-
book of British Birds," by Mr. Harting ; the article
" Birds " by Professor Newton and Professor W. K.
Parker, and " Ornithology " by Professor Newton,
published in the ninth edition of the " Encyclopaedia
Britannica," may be mentioned as indispensable aids
to those who would acquire a thorough knowledge
of the British avifauna, and a key to its literature.
As regards nomenclature — a difficult subject — the
" Ibis List," which should be authoritative (having
been published in 1883 by a committee of the British
Ornithologists' Union), unfortunately contains many
errors which, considering the reputation of the com-
pilers, ought to have been avoided.

It has long been known that there are certain
species of birds which reside only a portion of the
year with us, arriving from the south in spring, and,
after rearing their young in this country, depart south-
ward again in the autumn. The males arrive first,

INTRODUCTION. ix

followed shortly afterwards by the females, and lastly
by the young birds, which do not usually take so
long a flight, some perhaps not getting farther than
the European shores of the Mediterranean. Roughly
speaking, there are three lines of migration taken by
birds whose route lies southward in autumn, namely,
the Spanish coast in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar,
the Italian coast by Sicily, and the Greek coast by
Cyprus. The first lands them on the opposite coast
of Barbary, the second on the shore of T|unis, the
last on the Asiatic coast at Tripoli. It is remarkable
that these three routes cross the sea where it is
narrowest and the most shallow, and were probably
dry land in comparatively recent times.

Several birds, such as the Ring-Ouzel, Golden
Plover, &c., pass through Dorsetshire on their migra-
tion northwards to breed. The migratory line of
the Dotterel being outside our border, the bird visits
us rarely; its last occurrence was in 1883.1 A vast
number of birds push their way as far north as the
ice-line, a course which some naturalists assign to
an hereditary instinctive impulse to return to the
breeding-homes of their progenitors, which had an
equable climate before the rigours of the glacial
period had set in, and had forced them southward
to seek food and shelter. Thus it is supposed the
migratory habits of birds originated, and continue to
the present day.

Seeing that the course of many birds on migration
lies far east of these islands, any casual visitor

1 See Proc. Dorset N. H. Field Club, vol. vi. p. 29 (1885).

x INTRODUCTION.

can only be attributable to deflections by storms or
adverse winds, which may account for the appear-
ance of the Little Bustard, Common Crane, Cream-
coloured Courser, Collared Pratincole, Glossy Ibis,
Shore Lark, &c. Several birds, whose visits now
are only few and far between, were formerly of more
frequent occurrence, and some were even residents,
such as the Great Bustard, Bittern, Common Crane,
and Avocet. The Kite bred in Radnorshire as late
as 1870.,, This might be attributable to a depletion
of the species through various causes, such as altered
conditions of country, drainage, clearance of wood-
lands, or even a multiplication of plantations and
enclosures, which has probably caused the disappear-
ance of the Great Bustard from our downs, which
at one time were its favourite haunts.

Some birds have entirely disappeared from the face
of the earth within the memory of man, or at least
within historic times ; notably the Garefowl or Great
Auk (Alca impennis), which has become extinct since
1844, is the latest instance known of the extinction
of a bird. In 1574 it was very plentiful on the east
coast of Greenland. It lived in Scotland during the
Pleistocene Age ; its bones occur frequently in the
kitchen-middens of Caithness, with those of the
Wild Swan, Black Grouse, Seal, Walrus, and Beaver.
The fortunate recognition of its egg in the hall of Mr.
Philip Hill, of Pimperne, by the Rev. S. A. Walker,
Rector of Spettisbmy, rescued it from oblivion, the
owner being unaware of its rarity and value, who,
under Mr. Walker's advice, took it to the British

INTRODUCTION. xi

Museum, and ultimately sold it for ^"50 to Lord
Lilford, one of our most distinguished British orni-
thologists. There are not more than seventy eggs
and as many skins preserved in any public or private
collection.

A gradual depletion of species is still going on,
tending to reduce several of its members to what
might be termed zero-point, whose reproductive
powers are unequal to the task assigned by Nature
to fill up the gap occasioned by death. In course of
time these will be exterminated in their struggle for
existence. The Wild Birds Preservation Act is doing
good service, wherever enforced, among the sea-fowl
and waders which frequent our shores during the
nesting season, and has been the means of adding
to their breeding - stations and colonies in this
county.

There is an opinion gaining ground and advocated
by some of our naturalists, that in the construction
of their nests birds are more imitative than instinc-
tive ; that it is rather from memory they build a nest
characteristic of their own species, both in shape and
material. Birds hatched in confinement build only a
rudimentary nest with the materials furnished them,
without any typical construction. Some young Chaf-
finches which had been imported to New Zealand and
turned out, built their nests with no resemblance to
the English type, either in structure or material. The
cup of the nest was smaller and longer, and made
to hang loosely down the side of the branch on
which it rested, in this respect resembling the

xii INTRODUCTION.

nests of the Icteridce. Professor Newton shows, by
several instances, " how the dictates of hereditary
instinct are by a remarkable degree of elasticity, in
some species, rudely broken." If I recollect right,
he was present with me in the examination of a
Heron's nest built on the united summits of a reed-
bed, more than three or four feet from the surface
of the surrounding water, on which floated the body
of the unfortunate chick, which would not, in all
probability, have come to so untimely an end, had
the parents chosen the usual lofty and safer site for
their nest than the reed-bed. (See p. 129.)

The annual moult to which birds are subject is
an important provision for their preservation, and the
means for restoring the injuries sustained between
the periods of moulting. The wing and quill feathers
especially are liable to be broken or split, so as to
deprive the bird of power of flight, or at all events
to impede its aerial progress. With the exception of
the AnatiddB and Spheniscidce, which shed their quill
feathers simultaneously, and remain in a defenceless
condition, hidden among sedge and grass, or keeping
to the water until they have reassumed their full
plumage, all other birds moult their feathers in pairs,
by which an equilibrium is maintained, their flying
powers remaining unimpaired.

Dorsetshire has a large and varied avifauna, owing
mainly to its extensive seaboard and being in the
migratory line of several birds. The coast includes
the cliffs of St. Alban's, Gadcliff, Whitenore, Old
Harry, and Durlston ; the sandbanks of Small-

INTRODUCTION. xiii

mouth and Studland ; and the estuaries of Poole and
Weymouth Fleet, at the head of which is a remark-
able swannery, of which the Earl of Ilchester is
owner, notable not only on account of its antiquity,
but also as being the only swannery existing in Great
Britain. The extensive tracts of down, heath, and
woodlands which stretch away through the county
have each their particular attractions to the various
species whose habits and instincts are satisfied by food
and other favourable circumstances. The Greater and
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Cormorant,
and Shag share with the Razor-Bill, Guillemot, and
Puffin the grand cliffs of Old Harry and Whitenore
for rearing their young. The Common Tern has an
extensive breeding colony on the Chesil Bank, where
the Ringed Plover also breeds in great abundance.

The heaths and sandy wastes which border the
estuaries of Poole and Weymouth offer nesting facili-
ties to the Sheldrake, Pochard, Oyster-Catcher, Black-
headed Gull, and Curlew. I received an egg of the
last-named bird a few years since which had been
taken from a nest near Poole Harbour. (See p. 100.)
The chick it contained was hatched on the journey ; it
had burst through the shell, which was neatly broken
in two in unequal parts, the lower one the largest, as
is usual when the birth of the bird is natural. It
was mature, covered with its characteristic down ; the
bill, although curved, was proportionally shorter than
in the adult. The colour of its legs distinguished it
from the young Stone Curlew, whose beak besides
is short and straight. The chick is in the County

xiv INTRODUCTION.

Museum collection. The Hen Harrier has nested
here within the last three years. Unhappily it was
shot after laying two eggs in a loosely-constructed
nest. I saw the male several times afterwards ; its
shorter wings and more compact form distinguished
it from the Montagu's Harrier, which is a more fre-
quent visitor in these parts. The Stone Curlew
breeds upon our upland fallows, and remains with
us until the late autumn. The eggs of the Wood-
cock are very rarely found in Dorsetshire (I know
only of one instance). The Dipper frequents the
western side of the county, where it breeds ; two
broods have been known to have been reared in one
year by the same parents. The Dartford Warbler,
which was a constant resident in our heath districts
until the rigorous winter of 1 88 1 and several succeed-
ing ones, has now disappeared. It is to be hoped
there may be a few survivals, and that the heathlands
of the county may be again graced by this lively
little bird. The Peregrine holds its own in Purbeck,
mainly owing to the protection it receives from the
proprietors of the sea-cliffs, which are its principal
breeding-places. The Chough has nearly succumbed
to the senseless greed of egg-collectors, and its
numbers are now so reduced that for some time past
it has reached what I have termed zero-point. It is
to be regretted that this harmless and graceful bird
is not so abundant with us as it is in the Pyrenees,
where, at Cauterets (in the spring of 1880), I fell
in with two flocks, each numbering more than a
hundred birds.

INTRODUCTION. xv

Amongst the rarer visitants to this county are
the White-tailed Eagle, Iceland Falcon, Scops Owl,
Pied Flycatcher, Woodchat, Blue-throated Warbler,
Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Rose-coloured Pastor, Little
Bustard, Cream-coloured Courser, Collared Pratin-
cole, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Glossy
Ibis, Black Stork, Common Crane, Purple Heron,
Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Ameri-
can Bittern, Polish Swan, Red-crested Pochard,
Ruddy Sheldrake, Buffle-headed Duck, Gadwall, Surf
Scoter, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, and Ivory
Gull.

It cannot be doubted that if proper protection
were afforded during the breeding season to our
spring visitors, many would remain to breed with us ;
and attractive species such as the Hoopoe and Golden
Oriole, which are destroyed almost as soon as they
reach our coast, would take up their abode with us,
and not leave until they had reared their broods.

It only remains for me to acknowledge the friendly
aid which I have received from various correspon-
dents in the preparation of this volume.

In the first place, I am desirous of expressing my
great obligations to my friend Mr. J. E. Harting for
having looked over the work for me, and for having
suggested many useful and interesting additions
which would otherwise have escaped record. To Mr.
T. M. Pike, of Westport, Wareham, I am indebted
for much information relating to the wild-fowl and
sea-fowl of Dorsetshire, with which, as a practical
observer and experienced wild-fowler, he is so well

xvi INTRODUCTION.

acquainted. The courtesy of Mr. Edward Hart in
replying to my inquiries, and in furnishing me with
the history of the rarer birds in his beautiful museum
at Christchurch, many of which were procured in
Dorsetshire, also deserves recognition at my hands ;
while in addition, I have to thank many other
correspondents, whose names are mentioned in the
following pages, for communications of which I have
gladly availed myself.

In the few wood engravings which are scattered
throughout the volume, and which have been drawn
and engraved by Mr. G. E. Lodge, I have selected
for illustration some of the rarer or more remarkable
birds, which, either as residents or accidental visi-
tants, have been met with in the county of Dorset.

The " View in the Swannery " at Abbotsbury,
which forms the frontispiece to this volume, was
photographed during the summer of 1887, and has
been reproduced by the " Meisenbach " process.

THE BIRDS OF DORSETSHIRE.

ORDER ACCIPITRES.
FAM. FALCONIDJE.

GQLDEX EAGLE. Aquila chnjsaetus, (L.)

Yarrell,1 i. p. n ; Hat-ting, p. 3 ; Dresser, v. p. 533 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 96 ; Ibis List, p. 96 ; Pulteney's List, p. 2.

Occasionally seen in England during the autumn
migration, but may be said to be confined to the
wildest districts of Scotland and Ireland. One was
shot in Sherborne Park while feeding on a dead
deer (J. C. Dale, "Naturalist," 1838, p. 173), and
another seen in Christchurch Harbour, October 1885.
The latter, however, was not heard of again in the
neighbourhood.

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. Haliceetus albicilla, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 25 ; Hart ing, p. 3 ; Dresser, v. p. 551 ; Seebohm, i.
p. 87 ; Ibis List, p. 97 ; Falco ossifragus, Pulteney's List, p. 2.

The White-tailed Eagle is now only a rare straggler;
it was more frequently seen here at the beginning of

1 The references throughout this volume to " Yarrell " are intended
to apply to the fourth edition of that work, edited by Professor Newton
and Mr. Howard Saunders.

A

2 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

the century. It still breeds, however, in parts of
Scotland, and in the rocky islands of the Hebrides
and Shetland. " A full-grown bird was caught near
Long Bridy, and lived many years in the aviary at
Crichel ; another shot at Morden Park " (Pulteney).
One killed at Weymouth in 1857 is in the possession
of Mr. Horner, Mells Park, Somerset ; a pair fre-
quented the Rempston Woods in 1 860, one of which
was trapped there by the keeper, the other was
shot at Lulworth soon afterwards. One was seen at
Kimmeridge in the winter of 1880, and after remain-
ing there several weeks, left without suffering the
usual fate of rare birds.

OSPEEY. Pandion haliceetus, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 30; Harting, p. 3; Dresser, vi. p. 139; Seebohm,
i. p. 55 ; Ibis List, p. 105 ; Falco haliseetus, Pulteney' s List,
p. 2.

The Osprey is not an unfrequent visitor to the
estuaries of Poole and Weymouth, where several
have been seen and killed. One frequented the
neighbourhood of Weymouth the greater part of the
summer of 1881. Another was killed on Rempston
Heath the same year ; a third at Weymouth, Sep-
tember 20, 1870, whilst being mobbed by a kestrel ;
a fourth was seen the following day, and escaped ;
a fifth, shot at Hyde in 1876, is in Mr. Radclyfie's
collection. There are several records of the occur-
rence of the Osprey at Poole and the neighbourhood
between 1846 and 1881. Contrary to its usual

FALCONS. 3

habits, a pair frequented Wilton Park (thirty miles
inland), during the summer of 1884, and were un-
fortunately killed.

ICELAND FALCON. Falco islandus, Graelin.

Tarrell, i. p. 46; Dresser, vi. p. 25 ; Falco islandicus, Harting,
p. 86 ; F. candicans, Seebohm, i. p. 16 ; Hierofalco islandus,
Ibis List, p. 1 02.

An accidental visitor to Great Britain ; one was
found dead in the early part of the present century
in Cranbourne Chase, with a pigeon half-eaten by
its side, a bone of which had got across its throat
and choked it. It is preserved in Viscount Port-
man's fine collection of birds at Bryanston.

PEREGKINE FALCON. Falco peregrinus, Tunstall.

Yarrell, i. p. 53; Harting, p. 4; Dresser, vi. p. 31 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 23 ; Ibis List, p. 102 ; Pulteney's List, p. 2.

The Peregrine Falcon is the commonest of our
larger birds of prey, and at present is well estab-
lished in the county, owing to the protection ex-
tended to it by many of the landed proprietors.
Purbeck is its headquarters, where precipitous cliffs
afford an additional protection. In 1884 a nest was
robbed from a cliff, but fortunately the old birds
were not deterred from again occupying the same
site, where, I am glad to say, they nested last
year (1886). With the aid of my binocular, I dis-
tinctly saw one of the young birds standing on the
nest, apparently well fledged, on the grassy ledge of

4 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

the cliff, far out of danger, although the parents dis-
played their anxiety by flying to and fro in the
neighbourhood. I had been previously watching
them for some time, little suspecting I was actually
within sight of the brood, though with an un-
fathomable gulf intervening. A young bird of the
year was shot at Milborne St. Andrews, in 1874;
a pair near Wareham in 1880; another at Mel-
bury, and one at Bryanston in 1881 ; a female and
two young ones were seen at Chapman's Pool in
August 1882. I have twice seen the Peregrine
baffled in its stoop at a bird — once on the beautiful
lake at Crichel. I had been watching one as it
poised to and fro, keeping the wildfowl in an excited
and uneasy state ; suddenly it selected a Goosander
which was flying a few feet above the water, when
the latter, seeing its danger in time, eluded the
stoop by as suddenly diving. The falcon rose in the
air disappointed, and flew off to seek a less crafty
quarry. The second instance occurred last summer
(1886) on Ballard Down, near Studland. I observed
a Peregrine which I had been watching suddenly fly
out to sea in pursuit of a Jackdaw which was cross-
ing the bay ; the quarry perceiving its danger, began
to " ring up," but finding itself baffled and the falcon
gaining in altitude, most adroitly closing its wings,
dropped perpendicularly to within a foot or two of
the surface of the sea, and then recovering itself,
made directly towards the cliffs, which it safely
reached, and although still pursued, I believe it
escaped. On three occasions I have seen a Pere-

FALCONS. 5

grine hover in the air after the manner of the
Kestrel, flapping its wings and then holding them
perfectly motionless. Once I had the advantage
of assuring myself that it was a Peregrine by the
proximity of a pair of Kestrels which were hovering
in their usual manner near enough for comparison.

HOBBY. Falco subbuteo, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 65 ; Harting, p. 4 ; Dresser, vi. p. 69 ; Seebohm, i.
p. 31 ; Ibis List, p. 102 ; Pultenetfs List, p. 3.

The Hobby, both in appearance and character, is a
miniature Peregrine. It is a summer visitor to this
country. Instances of its breeding in the eastern
and southern counties have been frequently recorded.
Mr. F. Bond has received eggs from Dorsetshire, and
the Rev. O. Pickard Cambridge says it has regularly
nested in the neighbourhood of Bloxworth until
within the last few years. Mr. James Henning ob-
tained nestlings from Middlemarsh Grange Woods ;
a male was shot at Kimmeridge in 1854, another
at Long Burton in 1851, and one at Bryanston in
1852, now preserved in the Bryanston collection.

MERLIN". Falco cesalon, TunstaU.

Tarrett, i. p. 74 ; Harting, p. 4 ; Dresser, vi. p. 83 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 34; Ibis List, p. 103; Pulteneifs List, p. 3.

This, our smallest Falcon, still breeds in the north
of England and Scotland, retiring to the lowlands
and cultivated districts during the winter months.

6 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Although so diminutive in size, it is much prized
by falconers for lark-hawking. Four of these little
hawks passed through the hands of Mr. Eolls, bird-
stuffer, Weymouth, in one year (Mr. Thompson) ;
two shot at Glanville's Wootton (Mr. J. C. Dale) ;
one killed at Wareham in December 1857 ; another
at Lytchett Maltravers in 1872 ; two at the Roman
Camp, Milborne St. Andrew's, in 1878; and a pair
at Warmwell, near Dorchester, December 1886.

KESTREL. Falco tinnunculus, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 78; Harting, p. 4; Dresser, vi. p. 113; Seebohm,
i. p. 45 ; Pulteney's List, p. 3 ; Tinnunculus alaudarius,
Ibis List, p. 104.

The Kestrel is abundant with us, especially near
the sea, where it finds suitable and safe nesting-
places among the cliffs. Several may be seen on a
summer or autumn afternoon hovering over the furze-
clad summits of the neighbouring heights in search of
food. The ruins of Corfe Castle is a favourite haunt,
and it is well distributed in the wooded districts of
the county. As mice form its staple food, it deserves
more protection than it receives. The indifference
shown by birds in the hedgerows and farmyards on
the approach of a Kestrel fairly indicates that it is
not so great an enemy to the feathered tribe as is
generally supposed. Contrast the excitement and
alarm occasioned by a Sparrow-hawk flying overhead
in rapid flight, ere the experienced eye of the keeper
is aware of its transient presence.

HA WKS. 7

GOSHAWK. Astur palumbarius, (L.)

Tarrell, i. p. 83 ; Harting, p. 4 ; Dresser, v. p. 587 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 142 ; J&z's LeX p. 97 ; Pulteney's List, p. 3; Natura-
list, ii. p. 173.

Although Professor Newton, in the fourth edition
of YarrelTs " British Birds," mentions twenty-six
instances of its occurrence in Great Britain, it is now
a rare straggler. Pulteney speaks of it as not un-
common in his time, when game-preserving was not
attended with such continuous persecution of birds
of prey as at the present day, and when a larger
extent of uncultivated country favoured its existence.

SPAKKOW-HAWK. Accipiter nisus, (L.) ]

Yarrell, i. p. 88; Harting, p. 4; Dresser, v. p. 599; Seebohm,
i p. 135 ; Ibis List, p. 98 ; Falco nisus, Pulteney's List, p. 3.

There is a curious account of a sparrow-hawk's
fate in the Field, November 20, 1876. A corre-
spondent (R. W. G., Weymouth) noticed a sparrow-
hawk suspended by the claw from the top of a bush,
and found it had been choked while endeavouring
to swallow a mouse, which was firmly fixed in its
throat.

KITE. Milvus ictinus, Savigny.

Yarrell, i. p. 92 ; Harting, p. 5 ; Dresser, v. p. 643 ; Milvus
regalis, Seebohm, i. p. 74 ; Ibis List, p. 99 ; Falco inilvus,
Pulteney's List, p. 3.

At the beginning of the present century the Kite
was very common ; it is now only an accidental

8 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

visitor. When the first edition of "Yarrell" was
published, the Kite was numerous in the northern
counties, and even bred in Huntingdonshire, where
it is now extinct. It survives, however, in several
districts of Scotland, and in parts of Wales. Pul-
teney speaks of it as common in his time, and the
late Mr. J. C. Dale remarked that it was formerly
plentiful in the Grange Woods, Middlemarsh. One
shot at Bryanston is in Viscount Portman's collec-
tion ; another was shot at Rempston ; a third,
procured in the neighbourhood of Dorchester, was
presented to the County Museum by the late Mr.
C. Herring ; a fourth was shot at Bexington, near
Abbotsbury (Rev. R. B. Roe) ; while the last on
record was killed at Ashley, near Puncknoll, in
April 1 88 1.

COMMON BUZZAKD. Buteo vulgaris, Leach.

Yarrell, i. p. 109; Harting, p. 6; Dresser, v. p. 449; Seebohm,
i. p. 117; Ibis List, p. 94 ; Falco buteo, Pulteney's List, p. 3.

The Common Buzzard is the most frequently seen
of all the larger hawks ; generally birds of the year
from the Continent on migration. When hunting, it
usually flies sluggishly near the ground, but rises to a
great height spirally, careering aloft in wide circles.
One was shot at Encombe in 1866, two at Kim-
meridge in 1867, and a fourth at Peverel Point,
Swanage, in 1866. Specimens are in the Bryanston
and Rempston collections, as well as in the County
Museum. When riding over " Bere Field " in Octo-

BUZZARDS. 9

her 1884, I observed a Buzzard flying low over the
stubble pick up a Partridge, which it held screaming
in its claws. I pursued it with a companion, when
the Partridge was dropped and escaped unscathed.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD. Buteo lagopus, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, i. p. 115 ; Harting, p. 6 ; Arcliibuteo lagopus, Dresser,
v. p. 471 ; Aquila lagopus, Seebohm, i. p. in ; Ibis List,

P- 95-

The Rough-legged Buzzard is a northern species,
rarely visiting this county in autumn. Two passed
through the hands of Mr. Rolls, bird-stuffer, of Wey-
mouth, one of which was shot at Weymouth, the
other at Creech Grange, in Purbeck ; two shot in the
neighbourhood of Blandford were in the collection
of the late Mr. C. O. Bartlett ; Mr. Hart, of Christ-
church, stuffed a Dorsetshire specimen in 1857 ; and
one was killed at Rempston in 1862. An immature
bird shot at Morden Park in 1871 is now in the
possession of the Rev. O. P. Cambridge, who saw
one alive at Bloxworth in 1862 ; while the last on
record was shot at Alderney Manor, Poole, in the
autumn of 1879 (C. Hart).

HONEY-BUZZARD. Pernis apivorus, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 121 ; Harting, p. 6 ; Dresser, vi p. 3 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 69 ; Ibis List, p. 100; Falco apivorus, Pulteney's List,
P- 3-

The Honey-Buzzard is a summer migrant, and still
breeds in favoured places in Great Britain, notably

io THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

in the New Forest. Unlike other raptorial birds, its
usual food is the larvae of bees and wasps, coleopterous
and lepidopterous insects, and earthworms. It is to
be regretted that so harmless a bird should not be
exempt from persecution ; but the fact of its being a
hawk is sufficient in the eyes of game-preservers and
collectors to ensure its destruction. There are Dor-
setshire specimens preserved in the Bryanston and
Rempston collections, and in the County Museum.
Two passed through the hands of Mr. Rolls, bird-
stuffer, of Weymouth, which were killed in the
neighbourhood of Weymouth ; one was trapped in
Chetter Wood in the autumn of 1861, and another
at Kimmeridge in the autumn of 1868. Its local
name is " Capped Buzzard."

MAKSH HAERIEE. Circus ceruginosus, (L.)

Yarrell, i p. 127 ; Harting, p. 7 ; Dresser, v. p. 415 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 124; Ibis List, p. 92; Falco seruginosus, Pulteneys
List, p. 3.

In Pulteney's time the Marsh Harrier was not un-
frequently seen on the wet moors of the county ;
drainage has very much limited its favourite haunts
since then. One in the Bryanston collection was
caught in a trap, September 22, 1808. It still fre-
quents the salt marshes between Wareham and Arne,
where I have not unfrequently seen it. One was
killed at Littlesea, Studland, in 1873, and another
(a male) at Parkston in 1877.

HARRIERS. ii

HEN HARRIER. Circus cyaneus, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 132; Harting, p. 7; Dresser, v. p. 431 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 128 ; Ibis List, p. 93 ; Falco cyaneus, Pulteney's List,
P- 3-

The difference of plumage between the male and
female Hen Harrier led ornithologists in Bewick's
time to regard them as two distinct species, desig-
nating the former the " blue hawk," the latter the
" ring- tail." It is not unfrequently seen quartering
the fields like a pointer. One was shot at Henbury
in 1850 ; a second at Leeson, Swanage, in 1866 ; a
pair were shot at Alderholt, near Fordingbridge, in
the summer of 1872 ; and a female at Wareham the
same year. In 1875 one was procured at Hyde, and
another at Whatcombe. A male and two females,
also obtained in the county, are in the County
Museum. A pair of these birds nested on a piece of
moorland in the Poole estuary ; the female was un-
fortunately killed on the nest, having laid two eggs,
which were also destroyed. The nest, composed of
bents of grass, was placed in a slight natural depres-
sion. I saw the male bird twice after the death
of its mate, near enough to distinguish it from
Montagu's Harrier, which is more slightly built and
longer in the wing. A male Hen Harrier frequented
the neighbourhood of Bere Regis for several days in
the early part of June 1887.

12

THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

MOXTAGU'S HARRIER. Circus cineracius, Montgu.

Yarrell, i. p. 138; ffarttng, p. 7 ; Dresser, v. p. 423; Seebohm,
i. p. 131 ; Ibis List, p. 93.

Montagu's Harrier, which is smaller and more
slender than the Hen Harrier, is occasionally met
with in the county. One was killed at Wareham,
September i ; one at Swanage, October 30 ; a
second at Swanage, November 26, 1867; and a
third at Swanage, 25th June 1869. One was seen
at Lytchett Maltravers by Professor Newton in
1870, and one on Morden Heath in 1872; others

OWLS. 13

have been obtained at Bere Heath in 1871, at Stud-
land, at Kempston, and on Wareham Heath in 1873.
A male was shot near Wareham in July 1885, and
in June 1887 a nest with four eggs, from which the
hen bird rose, was found in a clover field at Winter-
bourne Kingston.

FAM. STRIGID.E.

TAWNY OWL SMx aluco, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 146; Seebohm, i. p. 154; Pulteneifs List, p. 4;
Syrnium aluco, Harting, p. 8; Dresser, v. p. 271; Ibis
List, p. 87.

This owl is abundant in the wooded districts and
parks of the county.

BARN-OWL. Aluco flammeus, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 194 ; Seebohm, i. p. 148 ; Strix flaminea, Harting,
p. 8 ; Dresser, v. p. 237 ; Ibis List, p. 85 ; Pulteney's List,
p. 4.

The Barn-Owl is more widely distributed than any
other European bird of prey, except the Peregrine ;
and, in spite of its conspicuous plumage, escapes
extermination owing to its nocturnal habits. It is
very active in the dusk of evening, and can fly with
great rapidity. On the appearance of a dog, it will
cross and recross its path with the apparent inten-
tion of attack, and will almost touch its head with
its noiseless wings, a curious and amusing sight.
The following in connection with this bird appeared
in one of our local papers : — "As a man was cutting

i4 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

down a hollow ash-tree at Chalmington, he came
upon an owl's nest containing two young owlets, for
whose benefit the old pair had stowed away two
nearly full-grown rats, a dozen mice, a couple of
young rabbits, and three birds."

LO:NTG- EARED OWL. ASM otus, (L.)

Tarrell, i. p. 158; Dresser, v. p. 251 ; Ibis List, p. 86; Otus
vulgaris, Harting, p. 8 ; Strix otus, Seebohm, i. p. 160 ; Pul-
teney's List, p. 4.

The Long-eared Owl is less abundant than either of
the two preceding species, being more restricted to
the wooded districts of the county, notably the
Chase Woods, Milton, Houghton, and Middlemarsh
Grange Woods. A nest containing four owlets of
this species was taken near West Lodge in 1865.

SHORT-EARED OWL. Asia accipitrinus, (Pallas).

Tarrell, i. p. 163; Dresser, v. p. 257; Otus brachyotus, Hart-
ing, p. 8; Strix brachyotus, Seebohm, i. p. 167; Pulteney's
List, p. 4 ; Asio brachyotus, Ibis List, p. 86.

The Short-eared Owl is an autumnal visitant, arriv-
ing about the end of October. It used to breed in
the fen-lands of the eastern counties, and, unlike the
other owls, its nest is exposed and built upon the
ground. It is locally called the " Woodcock Owl,"
arriving about the same time as that bird. Speci-
mens have been obtained, amongst other places, at
Bridport, Moreton, and Bryanston, the last in Vis-
count Portman's collection.

OWLS. 15

SCOPS OWL. Scops giu, (Scopoli).

Yarrell, i. p. 173; Harting, p. 93; Dresser, v. p. 329; Ibis
List, p. 89; Scops scops, Secbohm, i. p. 193.

This, the smallest of the British owls, is an acci-
dental and rare visitant. Mr. Harting (I. c.) enume-
rates twenty instances of its occurrence in Great
Britain. One was killed at Buckland Bipers a few
years ago (W. Thompson).

It may be well to note here that Mr. E. Meade
Waldo, of Rope Hill, Lymington, during the last few
years has turned out a great number of Little Owls
(Athene noctua) in that part of the country, and it is
not improbable that we may hear of the appearance
of some of them in Dorsetshire, reported as visitors
from the Continent, should the observers be unaware
of the fact above stated.

SNOWY OWL. Nydea scandlaca, (Daudin).

Yarrell, i p. 187 ; Dresser, v. p. 287 ; Ibis List, p. 87 ; Nyctea
nivea, Harting, p. 89 ; Surnia nyctea, Seebohm, i. p. 177.

The Snowy Owl is also an accidental visitant. It
is essentially an Arctic species, straggling southward
during hard winters. Mr. Harting enumerates
twenty- two instances of its occurrence in Britain,
excluding the Hebrides, Shetland, and Ireland, where
at various times a good many have been met with.
One shot at Langton Copse, in this county, is in
Mr. Farquharson's collection.

16

ORDER PASSERES.

FAM. LANIID.E.

GEEAT GEEY SHEIKE. Lanius excubitor, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 199 ; Harting, p. 9 ; Dresser, iii. p. 375 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 598 ; Ibis List, p. 37 ; Pulteney's List, p. 4.

The Grey Shrike is a rare winter visitant. Seen
in the Chase Woods ; one killed in Aimer Wood,
and another near Weymouth (Pulteney) ; one shot
at Stafford, near Dorchester ; one at Lewell (J. C.
Dale). A few passed through the hands of Mr.
Rolls, bird-stuffer at Weymouth, which had been shot
in that neighbourhood (W. Thompson). One shot
at Little Bridy in 1863 (A. E. Eaton). The last on
record was shot at Lytchett Maltravers in 1872
(Hart).

EED-BACKED SHEIKE. Lanius collurio, L.

Yarrell) i. p. 209 ; Harting, p. 9 ; Dresser, iii. p. 399 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 606 ; Ibis List, p. 38 ; Pulteney's List, p. 4.

The Red-backed Shrike is one of our latest summer
visitants, arriving early in May and leaving in
August. It breeds here regularly, and may often be
seen in our orchards and hedgerows ; very seldom in
woods, preferring the open country.

SHRIKES AND FLYCATCHERS. 17

TTOODCHAT. Lanius auriculatus, Miiller.

Tarrell, L p. 215; Dresser, iii. p. 407; Lanius rutilus, Harting,
p. 9; Lanius rufus, Seebohm, i. p. 610; Pulteney's List,
p. 4 ; Lanius pomeranus, Ibis List, p. 38.

The Woodchat is a rare visitant. Pulteney says,
" I have not seen the Woodchat, but am assured it
has now and then been shot in Dorsetshire." One
was killed at Bloxworth (Rev. O. P. Cambridge), and
another seen at Lyme Regis, June 22, 1876 (Lister,
The Field, July 8, 1876). Some eggs of the Wood-
chat in the County Museum are stated to have been
taken from a Dorsetshire nest.

FAM. MUSCICAPIDJE.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. Musdeapa grisola, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 220 ; Harting, p. 10 ; Dresser, iii p. 447 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 323 ; Ibis List, p. 40; Pidteney's List, p. n.

This solitary little bird arrives here about the
middle of May, and soon after commences building
its nest, usually selecting holes in trees and walls,
especially in gardens and orchards, the nest being not
unfrequently placed on a horizontal branch of some
wall-fruit tree. A pair reared a brood two years
consecutively in the wall of the yard of the Winter-
bourne Whitchurch village school.

13

i8 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

PIED FLYCATCHER. Muscicapa atricapilla, L.

Tamil, i. p. 229 ; Harting, p. 10 ; Dresser, iii. p. 453 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 328; Ibis List, p. 41.

The Pied Flycatcher is a rare visitant to Dorset-
shire. It breeds in the Lake District, in the York-
shire Dales, and in Wales, as well as in the south
of Scotland. Three passed through the hands of
Mr. Rolls, of Weymouth, which had been shot at
Bloxworth, and one was shot at Glanvilles Wootton.
A manuscript note by the late Mr. J. C. Dale, in his
copy of " Pulteney's Catalogue," states that Selby
possessed a Dorsetshire specimen. A pair was shot
in the grounds of Corfe Castle Rectory in May 1879.

FAM. OKIOLID^E.

GOLDEN ORIOLE. Oriolus galbula, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 233 ; Harting, p. 10 ; Dresser, iii. p. 365 ; Seelohm,
i. p. 589 ; Ibis List, p. 36.

The Golden Oriole is an accidental summer visitant,
and has been met with in several parts of the county.
A male bird was seen at Bloxworth for more than
a week in 1854 (Rev. 0. P. Cambridge, Zoologist,
p. 4366) ; another was shot at Affpuddle (Rev. C. R.
W. Waldy) ; one was seen on the hills behind Kim-
meridge in 1867, and one shot at Bradford Peverell,
September 1872. A pair visited Chandler's Copse,
Buckland Newton, April 1874 (C. S. Glyn) ; one was

DIPPER. 19

seen near the North Lodge, Moreton, May 9, 1885 ;
a male was shot between Swanage and Corfe Castle,
June 1885. " The nest has been found in Kent several
times, and in Dorsetshire, Devonshire, and Sussex "
(Harting, "Handbook of British Birds," p. 10). Its
gaudy plumage, however, often causes its destruction.
If protection were only afforded to it on its arrival in
April, it would in all probability nest regularly here,
and return to the same breeding haunts (as is the
case with many other migratory birds) ; our eyes
would often be gladdened by its resplendent plumage
flashing among the foliage of our glades and groves,
and our ears by its melodious flute-like notes.

FAM. CINCLID^E.
DIPPER. Cindus aquaticus, Bechstein.

Tarrdl, i. p. 241 ; Harting, p. 10 ; Dresser, ii. p. 167 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 253 ; Ibis List, p. 23.

The Dipper is only known on the western side of
Dorsetshire. So long ago as 1830 a pair was shot at
Sadborough, near Bridport. A pair built their nest
for three consecutive years ( 1 883-85) under an accom-
modation wooden bridge in the valley of the Bredy,
and brought up four broods, of which two were
hatched in 1885. Mr. William Thompson, of Wey-
mouth, saw one in the flesh in the hands of Mr. Rolls,
of Weymouth. One was seen at Long Bredy in 1 885,
and another on the stream between Lyme Regis and
Uplyme in August 1887.

20 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

FAM. TURDID.E.

MISSEL-THRUSH. Turdus viscivorus, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 258 ; Harting, p. n ; Dresser, ii. p. 3 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 207 ; Ibis List, p. i ; Pulteneijs List, p. 10.

The Missel-Thrush, although now so common, was
extremely scarce at the end of the last century ; so
much so, that Bewick had some difficulty in procuring
a specimen. His description in the edition of 1804
is without a figure.

SONG -THRUSH. Turdus musicus, L

Tarrell, i. p. 264 ; Harting, p. n ; Dresser, ii. p. 19 ; Seebohm, i.
p. 213 ; Ibis List, p. 2.

The Song-Thrush, although a resident, is partially
migratory in the autumn. Sportsmen when beating
the turnip-fields in October and the beginning of
November see them rising at every few yards ; and
although in considerable numbers, they do not appear
to be gregarious, but rise singly as they are disturbed.
They migrate during the night, and during the day
rest under the turnip-leaves for food and shelter.
In the exceptionally dry summer of 1885, the in-
numerable broken shells of snails under the walls
and on the waysides testified to the destructive power
of the Thrush upon land mollusks when deprived of
their ordinary food.

THRUSHES. 21

BED WING. Turdus iliacus, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 268; Harting, p. n ; Dresser, ii. p. 35 ; Seebohm,
i p. 220; Ibis List, p. 2 ; Pulteney's List, p. 10.

Unlike the Song-Thrush, the Redwing is essentially
gregarious. It is an autumn visitor, arriving early
in October. It is reported to have nested in four
English counties, as well as in North Wales. See
Zoologist, 1855, p. 7427, and Ibis, 1865, p. 19.

FIELDFAKE. Turdus pilaris, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 272 ; Harting, p. n ; Dresser, ii. p. 41 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 228 ; Ibis List, p. 2 ; Pulteney's List, p. i.

The Fieldfare arrives later than the Redwing, about
the beginning of November. It breeds within the
Arctic circle, but farther south than the Redwing, to
the limit, and occasionally beyond, the forest growth.
It is said to have nested in this country, but Mr.
Seebohm considers that farther proof of the state-
ment is necessary.

BLACKBIRD. Turdus merula, L.

Tarrell, i. p. 280; Harting, p. 12; Dresser, ii. p. 91 ; Merula
merula, Seebohm, i. p. 235 ; Ibis List, p. 4.

The Blackbird is a resident, but, like the Song-
Thrush, migratory in the autumn. This has been
abundantly proved by the numbers which have been
observed at the lighthouses and lightships during
the period of migration.

22 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

RING-OUZEL. Turdus torquatus, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 287; Harting, p. 12; Dresser, ii p. 113; Ibis
Lis^ p. 5; Pulteney's List, p. ioj Mem la torquata, See-
bohm, i. p. 243.

The Ring-Ouzel is a spring and autumn migrant,
but resident in the North of England and Scotland,
where it habitually breeds. Rodd states that many
remain on Dartmoor and on the Cornish moors, and
may be seen through the summer with their nests,
eggs, and young ; but this is not the case in Dorset-
shire, where they are only seen on migration. In
the wild Houghton district they are regularly ob-
served, especially in the autumn ; several were seen
last year (1886), and three together at Thorncombe.
Several flocks were noticed at Poole in October, and
at Weymouth also in the autumn ; a pair were shot
at Gorwell in 1862. In 1878 a pair were observed
at Turnworth all the winter, as reported by Mr. H.
G. Parry Okeden, in the Field of February 15, 1879.

FAM. SYLVIID^E.
HEDGE-SPARROW. Accentor modularis, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 301 ; Hurting, p. 12 ; Dresser, iii. p. 39; SeeboJim,
i. p. 497; Ibis List, p. 22; Motacilla modularis, Pulteney's
List, p. 9.

This familiar little bird is a constant resident
with us, and generally distributed.

WARBLERS. 23

REDBREAST. Eritliacus rubecula, (L.)

Tarrell, i. p. 305 ; Harting, p. 12 ; Dresser, ii. p. 329 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 262; /Ws List, p. 10; Motacilla rubecula, Pulteney's
List, p. 8.

The Eedbreast, as is well known, at the approach
of winter draws in towards human habitations and
homesteads from its favourite summer haunts, woods,
shrubberies, and hedgerows, and in very severe
weather migrates to great distances. It is a regular
migrant on the Continent, and thousands are killed
annually for food in the South of France and Italy.
Many young birds bred in England habitually mi-
grate southwards. Mr. Seebohm says that the young
of most birds- rarely, if ever, remain in the locality
of their birth. My gamekeeper, W. Shave, who is
a good naturalist, tells me the Redbreast is invari-
ably his constant companion when ferreting or rab-
biting, at all seasons of the year, even in the densest
and remotest woods on the estate, and will fearlessly
hop from twig to twig, eyeing the worms as they are
brought to the surface by the spade, and picking up
the crumbs which are kindly thrown to it from the
luncheon-basket.

NIGHTINGALE. Daulias luscinia, (L.)

Tarrell, i. p. 312 ; Dresser, ii. p. 363 ; Ibis List, p. u • Luscinia
philomela, Harting, p. 15; Erithacus luscinia, Seebohm, i.
p. 276 ; Motacilla luscinia, Pulteney's List, p. 8.

A common summer visitant on the eastern side,
rarer on the ivestern side of the county, which is

24 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

nearly the limits of its range. Seldom seen on
account of its secluded habits, it secretes itself when
alarmed among the weeds, grass, and thick under-
growth. The males arrive about a fortnight before
the females.

BED-SPOTTED BLUE-THROAT. Ruticilla suecica, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 321 ; Cyanecula suecica, Harting, p. 102 ; Dresser,
ii. p. 317 ; Ibis List, p. 10 ; Erithacus suecica, Seebohm, i.
p. 269.

The three forms of Blue-Throated Warblers —
suecica, with a red spot in the centre of a blue throat
(Motacilla suecica of Linnaeus), Sylvia leucocyanea of
Brehm, with a white spot in the centre of the blue
throat, and Sylvia Wolfii, with the entire throat
blue — are regarded by Mr. Harting as probably one
species in different phases of plumage. The Northern
or Arctic form, suecica, is said to have been killed
in Dorsetshire (J. C. Dale, "Naturalist," ii. p. 275).
There is a specimen of the European Blue-Throat,
leucocyanea — E. cyaneculus of Seebohm — in the
Salisbury Museum, belonging to the collection of
the late Mr. Cox, a resident in Dorsetshire, but with
no indication of the locality whence obtained.

KEDSTAKT. Ruticilla phcenicurus, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 329 ; Harting, p. 12 ; Dresser, ii. p. 277 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 287 ; Ibis List, p. 8 ; Motacilla phoenicurus, Pulteney's
List, p. 8.

The Kedstart is a summer migrant by no means
common in the county. It arrives in April, and

WARBLERS. 25

haunts localities similar to those of the "Wheatear.
One in my collection was taken out of a cat's mouth
at Whatcombe in May 1870. Seen at Stoke Wake,
May 15, 1875, and on Charlton Down, July 15,
1886.

BLACK KEDSTART. Rutidlla tithys, (Scopoli).

Yarrell, i. p. 333; Harting, p. 13; Dresser, ii. p. 293; Ibis
List, p. 9 ; Seebohm, i. p. 293.

This little bird is one of our winter visitants. One
was killed at Tarrant Keynston, in the winter of
1867 (Kev. J. H. Austin) ; one at Gussage All Saints,
in 1868 (Rev. B, W. A. Waldy) ; two at Lytchett
Maltravers as early as August 1840, and another in
December 1843. One was seen by Mr. W. Thomp-
son on the leads of his house at Weymouth. Mr.
E. Hart tells me that several Dorsetshire specimens
passed through his hands in 1864 and 1865. I have
in vain searched for it among the coves along the
coast, which are its favourite haunts in Devonshire.
The origin of the specific name tithys is explained
by Mr. Harting in " Our Summer Migrants," p. 79.

STONECHAT. Saxicola rubicola, (L.)j

Yarrell, i. p. 399; Harting, p. 13; Pratincola rubicola, Dresser,
ii. p. 263; Seebohm, i. p. 317; Ibis List, p. 8; Motacilla
rubicola, Pulteney's List, p. 9.

A constant resident with us, frequenting the open
downs and heaths, and building its nest on the
ground. In very severe weather it retires to more

26 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

sheltered spots. Its restless flight and sharp call-
note are familiar to every one, as it displays its
attractive plumage and black head on the highest
branch of a furze-bush or thorn-spray.

WHINCHAT. Saxicola rubetra, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 344; Harting, p. 13; Pratincola rubetra, Dresser,
ii. p. 255; Seebolim, i. p. 312; Ibis List, p. 7; Motacilla
rubetra, Pulteney's List, p. 9.

Unlike the preceding species, the Whinchat is a
summer migrant, arriving in April. Its habits are
less local, extending to pastures and cultivated dis-
tricts.

WHEATEAR. Saxicola cenanthe, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 347 ; Harting, p. 13 ; Dresser, ii. p. 187 ; Seelohm,
i. p. 298 ; Ibis List, p. 6 ; Motacilla senanthe, Pulteneijs
List, p. 9.

The Wheatear arrives on our coast towards the end
of March. It is less plentiful now than in Pulteney's
time, who says, " In Portland it is called the ' Snorter.'
They are caught in great numbers in traps in the
island. More than thirty dozen are said to have
been taken in one day. A person who disposes of
them in the Weymouth market, I have been told,
paid ^30 to one man in the year 1794 for Wheat-
ears at one shilling a dozen, and is said to have
been supplied with fifty dozen more than could be
disposed of." They appear in large numbers in Pur-
beck about the middle of September, congregating
there preparatory to migration. They breed freely on

WARBLERS. 27

our downs, often choosing unused rabbit-burrows for
their nesting-places, as well as stone walls and old
rotten molehills.

REED WARBLER Acrocephalm strepems, (Vieillot).

Tarrellj i. p. 369 ; Dresser, ii. p. 567 ; Ibis List, p. 18 ; Sali-
caria strepera, If art ing, p. 14 ; Acrocephalus arundinaceus,
Seebohm, i. p. 367.

A summer visitant, arriving here about the first
week in May. It usually makes its nest interwoven
between willow twigs overhanging the streams. It
is oftener heard than seen, but may be occasionally
observed clinging to a perpendicular reed or flitting
from one side of the river to the other.

SEDGE "WARBLER. Acroceplialus sclicenolcenus, (L.)

Tarrell, i. p. 376; Dresser, ii. p. 597; Salicaria phragmitis, Hart-
ing, p. 14; Acrocephalus phragmitis, Seebohm, i. p. 352;
Ibis List, p. 20 ; Motacilla salicaria, Pulteney's List, p. 9.

This Warbler is also a summer visitant. It arrives
with us before the Reed- Warbler, from which it differs
in habits in not confining itself exclusively to the
vicinity of rivers and marshes. It may be seen and
heard at a considerable distance from either. It is a
shy bird, and makes itself known by its harsh scold-
ing notes as it threads its way through the hedge-
rows and thick willows of the river-banks, where it
usually builds its nest.

28 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. Acrocephalus ncevius, (Bodd).

Yarrell, i. p. 384; Salicaria locustella, Harting, p. 14 ; Locus-
tella naevia, Dresser, ii. p. 611 ; Ibis List, p. 20 ; Locustella
locustella, Seebohm, i. p. 340.

The Grasshopper Warbler arrives here in April and
leaves in September. Its creeping habits keep it
very much out of sight, and but for its prolonged
trill, resembling that of a grasshopper, it would be
passed by unnoticed. It is a constant visitor to the
neighbourhood of Blandford. I saw one on Cham-
berlayne's Heath in June 1876, and heard one in
Clenston Wood as late as September 4 of the present
year. A nest, containing five eggs, in the County
Museum, was taken in Houghton Heath, among some
sedge grass, by Colonel Stuart.

DARTFORD WARBLER. Melizophilus undatus, (Bodd).

Yarrell, i. p. 398 ; Dresser, ii. p. 441 ; Ibis List, p. 14 ; Sylvia
undata, Harting, p. 16; Sylvia provincialis, Seebohm, i.
p. 414.

The Dartford Warbler is a resident, confining itself
chiefly to the heathy districts of the county. Sir
Edward Newton and I had the rare opportunity, on
June 8, 1876, of watching a pair on Studland Heath
feeding their young. After short intervals, they
returned with a small green caterpillar in their bills,
which was soon disposed of by the little nestlings,
which were hidden in a thick furze-bush. This
species has been seen at Blackdown (a tertiaiy out-
lier) ; on Houghton Stubbs, a considerable distance

WARBLERS. 29

from the heath district, but where a few tertiary
plants grow, the remains of a flora which probably
existed previous to the denudation of the superin-
cumbent bed ; and at Fairmile, between Blandford
and Stickland, July 1877. A nest and eggs were
found at Bloxworth by the Rev. O. P. Cambridge
(''Naturalist," v. p. 190). I have a specimen in my
collection which was shot on Bere Heath in August
1870. There are records of its occurrence in the
neighbourhood of Poole, Canford, Morden, and

Lytchett Heaths ; also at Vernon Heath, Ensbury,
and West Parley. It was frequently seen previous
to the severe winter of 1 880-81, which it is to be
feared nearly exterminated the species. Mr. O.
Pickard Cambridge saw one in 1886 at Bloxworth,
but in all probability this and other survivors suc-
cumbed to the severity of the past winter of 1886-87,
and it is doubtful whether we shall any longer see
our heaths enlivened by this active little bird.

30 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

WHITE-THROAT. Sylvia ritfa, (Bodd).

Yarrell, i. p. 406; Dresser, ii. p. 377; Sylvia cinerea, Harting,
p. 16; Seebohm, i. p. 405; Ibis List, p. n; Motacilla
cinerea, /3., Pulteneijs List, p. 9.

This is one of our commonest summer visitants ;
it arrives towards the end of April, and may often
be seen on the top spray of a hedgerow, or rising
in the air sending forth its short, jerky song. It is
very shy, taking every precaution for concealment,
invariably keeping on the off-side of a hedge to
elude the notice of the passer-by.

LESSER WHITE-THROAT. Sylvia curruca, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 410; Dresser, ii. p. 383; Seebohm, i. p. 410; Ibis
List, p. 1 2 ; Sylvia sylviella, Harting, p. 1 6.

The Lesser White-Throat is also a summer visitant,
though less common than the preceding, but not
sufficiently so to require special notice. It is gene-
rally distributed. Professor Newton found its nest
at Bloxworth in June 1876.

BLACKCAP. Sylvia atricapilla, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 418 ; Harting, p. 15 ; Dresser, ii. p. 421 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 394; Ibis List, p. 12 ; Motacilla atricapilla, Pulteney's
List, p. 8.

A common and regular summer visitant, vieing
with the Nightingale in the power and sweetness of
its song.

WARBLERS. 31

GARDEN WARBLER. Sylvia saliearia, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 414; Dresser, ii. p. 429; Sylvia hortensis, Harting,
p. 1 5 ; Seebohm, i. p. 400 ; Ibis List, p. i 3.

The Garden Warbler is a late summer visitor, fre-
quenting shrubberies, woods, plantations, and gar-
dens, where its sweet soft song may often be heard
in May.

WOOD WREN. Phylloscopus sibilatrix, (Bechstein).

Yarrell, i. p. 427 ; Dresser, ii. p. 497 ; Seebohm, i. p. 426; Ibis
List, p. 1 7 ; Phyllopneuste sibilatrix, Harting, p. 1 7.

A summer visitor ; the males precede the females
by several days. It frequents the wooded districts
of the county. A brood was hatched and reared
in Longthorns Wood in June 1871 ; the nest was
domed and placed on the ground, resembling that
of the Willow Wren, but differing from it in the
absence of feathers ; it was lined with grass and
hair.

WILLOW WREN. Phylloscopus trochilus, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 432; Dresser, ii. p. 491 ; Seebohm, i. p. 430; Ibis
List, p. 1 6 ; Phyllopneuste trochilus, Harting, p. 1 8 ; Mota-
cilla trochilus, Pulteney's List, p. 9.

A common summer visitor, and one of the earliest
migrants to arrive. It may be seen as early as March,
flitting from branch to branch in search of food in
every crevice and angle with the utmost assiduity.
It builds its nest on the ground, which is lined with
a profusion of feathers.

32 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

CHIFFCHAFF. Pliylloscopus collylita, (Yieillot).

Yarrell, i. p. 437 ; Dresser, ii. p. 485 ; Phyllopneuste rufa,
Harting, p. 18; Phylloscopus rufus, Seebohm, i. p. 435;
Ibis List, p. 1 6.

The Chiffchaff is another very early visitor in
spring. Its well-known double note is usually heard
for the first time about the middle of March. Its
dark legs may serve to distinguish it from the
two preceding species, whose legs are pale brownish
flesh-colour.

GOLD-CREST. Regulus cristatus, Koch.

Yarrell, i. p. 449 ; Harting, p. 19 ; Dresser, ii. p. 453 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 453 ; Ibis List, p. 14.

A common resident, breeding regularly with us.
An interesting note by Mr. S. J. Salter on the
occurrence of large flocks of this little bird in Dor-
setshire in winter will be found in the Zoologist for
1848, p. 2020.

FIRE-CHEST. Regulus ignicapillus, (C. L. Brelim).

An occasional visitant. The first British speci-
men brought to the notice of naturalists was killed
by a cat near Cambridge in August 1832. Many
have since been met with. One was shot at Park-
stone, another at Cerne, and Mr. E. Hart reports that
four were shot near Christchurch during the winter
of 1884.

WREN. 33

FAM. TROGLODYTES.

WHEN. Troglodytes parvulus, Koch.

Yarrell, i. p. 460; Harting, p. 19; Dresser, iii. p. 219; Seebohm,
i- P- 5°5 ) Ib™ L^i P- 29 > Motacilla troglodytes, Pulteney's
List, p. 9.

Resident, and generally distributed throughout
the county. *

FAM. CERTHIID.E.

TKEE-CREEPEK. Certhia familiaris, Linn.

Tarrell, i. p. 468 ; Harting, p. 20 ; Dresser, iii. p. 195 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 512 ; Ibis List, p. 45.

Like the last named, this species is resident, and
generally distributed in the parks, shrubberies, and
wooded districts of the county.

FAM. SITTID^E.

NUTHATCH. Sitta ccesia, Meyer.

Yarrell, i. p. 473; Harting, p. 20; Dresser, iii. p. 175; See-
bohm, i. p. 523 ; Ibis List, p. 28 ; Sitta europaea, Pulteney's
List, p. 5.

The Nuthatch is a resident and extremely common
in the county, where it breeds freely. It can ascend

and descend the trunks and branches of trees with

c

34 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

equal ease, and without the aid and support of the
tail, as is the case with the Woodpeckers. The
northern Nuthatch, described by Linnaeus as Sitta
europcea, is distinct from the Central European spe-
cies, which occurs in the British Islands, and which
is distinguished as Sitta ccesia.

FAM. PARID.E.

GREAT TITMOUSE. Farm major, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 479; Harting, p. 20 ; Dresser, iii. p. 79; Seebohm,
i. p. 463 ; Ibis List, p. 26 ; Pulteney's List, p. 9.

Kesident, and common everywhere.

BLUE TITMOUSE. Parus cceruleus.

Yarrell, i. p. 483; Harting, p. 20; Dresser, iii. p. 131; See-
bohm, i. p. 468 ; Ibis List, p. 27 ; Pulteney's List, p. 10.

Like the last named, a common resident.

COAL TITMOUSE. Parus ater, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 489; Harting, p. 21 ; Ibis List, p. 26; Pulteney's
List, p. 10 ; Parus britannicus, Dresser, iii. p. 93 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 472.

The form of Parus ater, which has been described
as Parus britannicus, is apparently confined to the
British Islands, where it is a resident and abundant
species. The typical ater visits us occasionally on
migration, from which ours differs in the feathers of
the back and flanks being tinged with olive-brown.

TITMICE. 35

MAKSH TITMOUSE. Parus palustris, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 495 ; Hurting, p. 2 1 ; Dresser, iii. p. 99 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 476 ; /6zs £&£, p. 27.

The Marsh Titmouse is resident and locally abun-
dant, frequenting well-timbered parks and shrub-
beries without reference to the neighbourhood of
water, although equally partial to marshy places and
river- sides. Mr. Seebohm divides the species into
eight varieties, each of which he considers occupies
a well-defined geographical area. One of them, Parus
borealis, Mr. Dresser regards as a distinct species.

LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. Acredula caudata, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 504; Acredula rosea, Hart ing, p. 21 ; Dresser, iii.
p. 63 ; Seebohm, i. p. 486 ; Ibis List, p. 25 ; Parus caudatus,
Pulteney's List, p. ro.

The Long-tailed Titmouse is a resident, frequent-
ing woods, shrubberies, and orchards. It is gregari-
ous during the autumn and winter, when it may be
seen in small flocks flitting from tree to tree in search
of food. Like the Coal Titmouse, the British form
of the Long-tailed Titmouse (rosea of Blyth1) differs
from Linnaeus' s Scandinavian form, Parus caudatus,
which has a white head, and is occasionally met
with in these islands.

1 White's " Natural History of Selborne," edited by Blyth, 1836,
p. in, note.

36 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

FAM. PANURIDJS.

BEARDED TITMOUSE. Panuna biarmicus, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 511 ; Harting, p. 22 ; Seebokm, i. p. 492; Ibis
List, p. 24 ; Calamophilus biarmicus, Dresser, iii. p. 49.

The Bearded Titmouse must be regarded as a rare
and very exceptional visitor to Dorsetshire, although
an established resident in Norfolk and Cambridge-
shire. Several have been met with on the Fleet at
Abbotsbury, and five or six are said to have been
shot there by Captain Latour (W. Thompson).

FAM. AMPELIDJG.

WAXWESTQ. Ampelis garrulus, L,

Yarrell, i. p. 523; Harting, p. 23; Dresser, iii. p. 429; See-
bohm, ii. 3 ; Ibis List, p. 39 ; Pulteney's List, p. n.

The Waxwing is an occasional winter visitant from
the north, arriving spasmodically and in some num-

WAGTAILS. 37

bers. One killed near Shaftesbury in 1785 is men-
tioned by Pulteney ; another was shot at Bexington
(Rev. R. B. Roe) ; a third, shot at Abbotsbury in
January 1850, is preserved in the County Museum
collection ; a fourth frequented the garden of Little
Bridy Rectory during the winter of 1855 (Rev. A. E.
Eaton) ; a fifth was shot in a hedgerow adjoining
the Weymouth Cemetery on December 10, 1858;
another which was seen at the same time escaped.

FAM. MOTACILLID^E.

PIED WAGTAIL. Motacilla higubris, Temm.

Tarrell, i. p. 538; Dresser, iii. p. 239; Ibis List, p. 30; Mota-
cilla yarrelli, Harting, p. 23; Seebohm, ii. p. 194; Mota-
cilla alba, Pulteney's List, p. 8.

The Pied Wagtail is to a certain extent a resident,
although in the autumn large numbers are seen on
the coast which are probably migrating southwards
for the winter. The return journey in spring has
been noticed by other observers on the coast of
Sussex.

WHITE WAGTAIL. Motacilla alba, L.

Yarrell, i. p. 548 ; Harting, p. 23 ; Dresser, iii. p. 233 ; See-
bohm, ii. p. 199 ; Ibis List, p. 29.

The White Wagtail is an annual summer visitant.
It was first noticed as a British bird in 1841, although
abundant on the other side of the Channel. Mr.
Gould received one from Poole in March 1861, and
several were shot in Kimmeridge Bay in May 1877.

38 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

GREY WAGTAIL. Motacilla sulphured, Bechstein.

Yarrell,i. p. 552 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 203 ; Motacilla boarula, Hart-
ing, p. 23 ; Pultenei/s List, p. 8 ; Motacilla malanope,
Dresser, iii. p. 251 ; Ibis List, p. 30; Nature, vol. xxxvii. p. 6.

The Grey Wagtail is a winter visitant in Dorset-
shire. It is frequently seen from October until May,
occasionally in company with the Pied Wagtail. A
young brood was hatched at Fordingbridge in the
month of June (Mr. James Kawlence) ; Professor
Newton saw one at Bloxworth quite late in the
summer. It is more frequently observed on the
western side of the county.

YELLOW WAGTAIL. Motacilla raii, (Bonaparte).

Tarrell, i. p. 564; Dresser, iii. p. 277; Seebohm, ii. p. 212;
Motacilla rayi, Harting, p. 2$; _Ibis List, p. 31 ; Motacilla
flava, Pulteney's List, p. 8.

The Yellow Wagtail is a summer visitant, fre-
quenting the pastures and marshes on the sea-coast.
It has been observed in the pastures of Kimmeridge
feeding upon the insects disturbed by the cattle.

FAM. ANTHID^E.

TREE PIPIT. Anthus trivialis, (L.)

Tarrell, i. p. 569 ; Dresser, iii. p. 309 ; Ibis List, p. 33 ; Anthus
arboreus, Harting, p. 24; Seebohm, ii. p. 219; Alauda
minor, Pulteney's List, p. 8.

The Tree-Pipit is a summer visitant, arriving about
the end of May. It chooses for its haunts timbered

PIPITS. 39

hedgerows and outskirts of woods. Pulteney erro-
neously described it as a resident and not migratory,
probably confounding it with the next species. A
nest with eggs was taken near Blandford by Mr.
Bosworth Smith.

MEADOW PIPIT. Anthus pratensis, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 575; Harting, p. 24; Dresser, iii. p. 285;
Seebohm, ii. p. 224; Ibis List, p. 32 ; Alauda pratensis,
Pulteney' s List, p. 8.

Resident, and common on the heaths and dry moors.

ROCK PIPIT. Anthus obscurus, (Latham).

Yarrell, i. p. 586 ; Harting, p. 24 ; Dresser, iii. p. 343 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 244 ; Ibis List, p. 35.

The Rock Pipit is a common resident on the coast,
from which it seldom wanders, nesting in the rocks
and under stones out of reach of the tide.

RICHARD'S PIPIT. Anthus richardi, Vieillot.

Yarrell, i. p. 598 ; Harting, p. 24 ; Dresser, iii. p. 325 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 233 ; Ibis List, p. 34.

A rare visitant, which, so far as I am aware, has
only twice been met with in this county. It differs
from the preceding species by its greater size, longer
tarsus, enormously developed hind-claw, and by the
outer tail-feathers, which are nearly pure white.
One was shot in the neighbourhood of Weymouth,
and another at Ringstead in the autumn of 1882, by
the late Mr. H. Pickard Cambridge.

40 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

FAM. ALAUDID.E.

SHORE LARK. Octocorys alpestris, (L.)

Yarrell, i. p. 604; Dresser, iv. p. 387 ; Ibis List, p. 73 ; Alauda
alpestris, Harting, p. 25 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 284.

The Shore Lark is an irregular winter visitant,
occurring more frequently on the east coast of Eng-
land than in the south. Two were shot at Wey-
mouth in the winter of 1868, and one at Lodmoor,
December 3, 1869.

SKYLARK. Alauda arvensis, L.

Tarrell, i. p. 614 ; Harting, p. 24 ; Dresser, iv. p. 307 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 266; Ibis List, p. 71 ; Pulteney's List, p. 7.

A common resident, congregating after the breed-
ing season in considerable flocks, when doubtless
many quit the country to pass the winter farther
south.

WOODLARK. Alauda arborea, L.

Tarrell, i. p. 625 ; Harting, p. 25 ; Dresser, iv. p. 321 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 256; Ibis List, p. 71 ; Pulteney's List, p. 7.

Kesident in the wooded districts of the county,
where it is not uncommon. Yarrell cites Dorset-
shire as one of the English counties which it
especially frequents. It differs from the Skylark
in its smaller size and shorter tail, and, unlike that
songster, frequently sings while perching. Mr.
Bosworth Smith has found the nest and eggs in the
neighbourhood of Bradford Abbas.

BUNTINGS. 41

FAM. EMBERIZID.E.

SNOW BUNTING. Plectrophanes nivalis, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. i ; Dresser, iv. p. 261 ; Ibis List, p. 63 ; Emberiza
nivalis, Harting, p. 25 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 125.

The Snow Bunting, or, as Willughby quaintly
terms it, the Great Mountain Finch, is an accidental
visitant in winter. One was procured so long ago
as 1844 at Houghton, another at Kimmeridge in
February 1868, one at Poxwell (Rev. 0. P. Cam-
bridge), and five near AVeymouth, December 28, 1869.

EEED BUNTING. Emberiza schceniclus, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 23 ; Harting, p. 26; Dresser, iv. p. 241 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 135 ; Ibis List, p. 62 ; Pulteney's List, p. ii.

Resident and common in the neighbourhood of
streams and marsh ditches : its black head and white
collar render it very conspicuous as it perches or flits
among the reeds, uttering its grating call-note.

CORN BUNTING. Emberiza miliaria, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 38 ; Harting, p. 26; Dresser, iv. p. 163 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 148; Ibis List, p. 59; Pulteney's List, p. 11.

The Corn Bunting is a common resident, found
chiefly in the open parts of the county. It may be
recognised by its monotonous and harsh note, usually
uttered from the topmost spray of some hedgerow,
fence, or telegraph wire. It is not shy, but continues
its song even on the approach of the passer-by.

42 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

YELLOWHAMMER. Emberiza citrinella, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 43 ; Harting, p. 26; Dresser, iv. p. 171 ; Seebolim,
ii. p. 1 60; Ibis List, p. 60; Pulteney's List, p. u.

A well-known resident, flocking in winter, when
it may often be found in the rickyards with Sparrows,
Greenfinches, and Chaffinches.

CIKL BUNTING. Emberiza cirhis, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 50 ; Harting, p. 26 ; Dresser, iv. p. 177 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 156; Ibis List, p. 60.

The Cirl Bunting is resident, and not uncommon
in Dorsetshire in the neighbourhood of the coast.
It is not readily distinguished from the Yellow-
hammer by an ordinary observer. The chief feature
of distinction is a black streak on each side of the
face, and a black patch on the chin. One was
shot at Poxwell (Rev. O. P. Cambridge), and others

FINCHES. 43

have been procured at Sherborne, August 2, 1882
(Naturalist, vol. ii. p. 250), Kimmeridge, Char-
mouth, Langton, Blandford, and Ensbury, near
Wimborne (Rev. J. H. Austen). Mr. W. Thompson
had one alive in confinement, which was caught at
Weymouth, December 23, 1870. Two were shot
at Langton Maltravers in August 1884, and three
were seen on Houghton Stubbs, July 10, 1886. A
nest and eggs were found in Warnwock Valley,
August 9, 1877.

FAM. FRINGILLIDJJ.

CHAFFINCH. Fringilla ccelebs, L.

Yarrett, ii. p. 68; Earting, p. 27; Dresser, iv. p. 3; Seebohm,
ii. p. 100; Ibis List, p. 52 ; Pulteney's List, p. n.

A well-known resident, and generally distributed
throughout the county.

BRAMBLING. Fringilla montifringilla, L.

Tarrell, ii. p. 75; Harting, p. 27; Dresser, iv. p. 15; Seebohm,
ii. p. 96; Ibis List, p. 52 ; Pulteney's List, p. 12.

The Brambling is a winter visitant, arriving late
in autumn, and in some years in great numbers.
Pulteney says : " Great numbers were seen in
Dorsetshire in the winter of 1789-90, and were
very plentiful in the nursery-garden, Blandford, in
the winter of 1795." In the winters 1872-73 and
1 880-8 1 it was particularly numerous, associating
with sparrows and chaffinches. It has been observed

44 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

at Kimmeridge, Milborne St. Andrew's, Houghton,
Clenston, Little Bridy, and Weymouth. It was very
abundant at Wareham and the neighbourhood during
the severe winter of 1886-87.

TREE-SPARROW. Passer montanus, L.

Tarrell, ii. p. 82 ; Harting, p. 28; Dresser, iii. p. 597 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 69; Ibis List, p. 51.

Kesident, but, unlike its congener, the House-
Sparrow, its usual abode is far removed from human
habitation, although it frequents the farmyards in
winter. It prefers the wild and open parts of the
country. I have notes of one shot near Blandford
and two at Bishop's Caundle (J. C. Dale), one at
Ensbury, in March 1861 (J. H. Austen), and one
seen at Bloxworth by the Kev. O. P. Cambridge. A
small flock was seen at the west end of the Down
House plantation, November 30, 1886.

HOUSE-SPARROW. Passer domesticus, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 89 ; Harting, p. 28 ; Dresser, iii. p. 587 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 63 ; Ibis List, p. 5 1 ; Fringilla domestica, Pulteney's
List, p. ii.

A common resident; subject to occasional varia-
tion of plumage. Specimens of a buff colour, and
others with more or less white about them, have
been procured at Winterbourne Kingston, and else-
where in the neighbourhood.

FINCHES. 45

HAWFINCH. Coccothraustes vulyaris, Pallas.

Yarrell, ii. p. 98 ; Harting, p. 29 ; Dresser, iii. p. 575 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 57 ; Ibis List, p. 50; Loxia coccothraustes, Pulteney's
List, p. ii.

The Hawfinch can only be regarded as an occa-
sional visitant, though it appears to be resident in
the adjoining county in the New Forest. Its shy
habits exempt it from the usual fate of showy birds.
Mr. W. Penney states that a pair once nested in
the garden at White's Place, Poole, and that one
was caught there in January 1881. Large flocks
arrived in the winter of 1872-73, when two were
taken alive at Upwey (W. Thompson), and one was
shot at Melbury Osmond (Rev. R. B. Roe). I have
records of others procured at Kimmeridge, What-
combe, Holt, Wimborne, Poole, Chettle, Affpiddle, &c.
A nest and eggs were found at Thorncombe, near
Blandford (Bosworth Smith).

GREENFINCH. Coccothraustes chlorit, L.

Tarrell, ii. p. 105; Harting, p. 29 ; Ligurinus clitoris, Dresser,
iii. p. 567 ; Ibis List, p. 49 ; Fringilla clitoris, Seebohm, ii.
p. 74; Loxia chloris, Pulteney's List, p. ii.

A common resident, generally distributed, assem-
bling in flocks in winter. An unusual site for a nest
was a hollow on the top of a gate-post at Poxwell
in 1880. A curious circumstance occurred to me last
year (1886) in connection with a Greenfinch. While
riding fast through a narrow roadway, a Greenfinch
suddenly flew across, and meeting my horse's knee
or hoof while in the act of flying, was struck on the
head and flung to the off side, reversing the direction

46 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

of its flight, which was from right to left. Observ-
ing this, I dismounted, and found the poor bird
senseless, but without a feather displaced or a limb
injured. It was probably only stunned, but of this
I could not wait to assure myself.

GOLDFINCH. Carduelis elegans, Stephens.

Yarrell, ii. p. 117; Dresser, iii. p. 527; Ibis List, p. 47;
Fringilla carduelis, Harting, p. 27 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 87 ;
Pulteney's List, p. 12.

A resident species ; frequenting gardens, shrub-
beries, and orchards, and resorting in autumn to
the open downs and commons to feed on the thistle-
seed. Small flocks may then be seen passing along
with jerky flight, and sharp, quickly-repeated call-
notes. Since the Wild Birds Preservation Act came
into force, I am glad to note that Goldfinches have
become more numerous. Several small flocks visited
the downs of Whatcombe in the autumn of 1887.

SISKIN. Carduelis spinus, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. 126; Fringilla spinus, Harting, p. 27; Seebohm,
ii. p. 92; Pulteney's List, p. 12; Chrysomitris spinus,
Dresser, iii. p. 541 ; Ibis List, p. 48.

The Siskin is a winter visitant, and one of the
rarest of our Finches. Pulteney says it has been
seen in the neighbourhoods of Hanford and Bland-
ford, but is more frequent on the eastern side of the
county. A flight of these little birds arrived near
Ensbury in January 1 848 (J. H. Austen) ; a pair
brought to Mr. Thompson were shot near Wey-
mouth, October 18, 1872 ; one was shot at Lodmoor,

FINCHES. 47

November 20, 1876 ; and others have been seen on
the banks of the river at Chamberlayne's, Bere Regis ;
and on the Stour, at Bryanston. According to Mr.
A. G. More, " the nest has been found in Dorset-
shire" (The Ibis, 1865, p. 129).

LESSEE EEDPOLL. Linota rufescens, (Vieillot).

Yarrell, ii. p. 146 ; Harting, p. 28 ; Dresser, iv. p. 47 ; Ibis List,
p. 54; Fringilla rufescens, Seebohm, ii. p. 115; Fringilla
linaria, Pulteney' s List, p. 1 2.

Although a resident in the North of England, the
Lesser Redpoll is usually only a winter visitant here.
Pulteney says, "It is not uncommon in Dorsetshire,
particularly among alders and willows." Mr. See-
bohm says, " It has been found breeding in the
greater number of English counties east of Somer-
set;" and according to Mr. A. G. More (Ibis, 1865,
p. 129), it "nests occasionally in Dorset." I have
notes of its occurrence on the banks of the Stour
(Pulteney), and at Lodmoor, near Weymouth, Nov. i ,
1871, Nov. 15, and Nov. 20, 1872 (W. Thompson).
A nest and eggs were found at Thorncombe, Bland-
ford (Bosworth Smith). So far as I am aware, the
Mealy Redpoll, Linota linaria, has not been recog-
nised in Dorsetshire.

LINNET. Linota cannabina, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. 153; Harting, p. 27; Ibis List, p. 53 ; Linaria
cannabina, Dresser, iv. p. 31 ; Fringilla cannabina, See-
bohm, ii. p. 106; Pulteney's List, p. 12.

Resident, and generally distributed ; flocking in
winter upon the heaths and uncultivated wastes.

48 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

TWITE. Linota flavirostris, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. 160 ; Harting, p. 28 ; Dresser, iv. p. 59 ; Ibis
List, p. 54 ; Fringilla flavirostris, Seebohm, ii. p. in; Frin-
gilla rnontium, Pulteneijs List, p. 1 2.

The Twite is a winter visitant, and according to
Pulteney, although "not common, sometimes ob-
served in Dorset." Its appearance is somewhat
irregular, but it may sometimes be found flocking
with Linnets, amongst which birds it may be
detected by its yellow bill (flavirostris) and its
forked tail.

BULLFINCH. Pyrrhula europcea, Vieillot.

Tarrell, ii. p. 166 ; Dresser, iv. p. 101 ; Ibis List, p. 56 ; Pyr-
rhula vulgaris, Harting, p. 29 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 51 ; Loxia
pyrrhula, Pulteney's List, p. 1 1.

Resident, and generally distributed, the Bullfinch
is usually seen in pairs ; never gregarious, nor asso-
ciating with other species.

FAM. LOXIID.E,

CROSSBILL. Loxia curvirostra, L.

Tarrell, ii. p. 187 ; Harting, p. 29; Dresser, iv. p. 127 ; See-
bohm, ii. p. 30 ; Ibis List, p. 57 ; Pulteney' s List, p. ii.

The Crossbill is a spring and autumn migrant,
arriving irregularly in large flocks. Pulteney refers
to it as not uncommon in his time, and it has been
known to breed in the adjoining county of Hants,

STARLING. 49

in Holt Forest (Lewcock), and near Bournemouth
(Dumville Lees, Zoologist, 1877, P- 254)- In the
spring of 1850, thirteen passed through the hands
of Mr. Kolls, the bird-stuffer of Weyinouth, all of
which were procured in that neighbourhood. Pro-
fessor Newton saw a small flock in Bere Wood
in the middle of the summer of 1869. Several
frequented the plantations of Binegar, near Ware-
ham, from November 1874 to the following April
(O. Farrer).

FAM. STURNID^E.

STABLING. Sturnus vulgaris, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 228 ; Harting, p. 30 ; Dresser, iv. p. 405 ; See-
bohm, ii. p. 12 ; Ibis List, p. 65 ; Pulteneifs List, p. 8.

Resident, and essentially gregarious, congregating
in large flocks as soon as the breeding season is
over. Towards evening large detachments may be
seen hurrying to their common rendezvous, usually
some copse or withy bed, when a deafening chatter
ensues. The entire flock then rises, as if actuated
by one impulse, and gradually settles down for the
night in the selected roosting-place.

KOSE-COLOURED PASTOR. Pastor roseus, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 243 j Harting, p. 30 ; Dresser, iv. p. 423 ; See-
boJim, ii. p. 20 ; Ibis List, p. 66 ; Turdus roseus, Pulteney's
List, p. 10.

The Rose-coloured Pastor is an irregular autumn

visitor, those observed here being usually birds of

D

5o THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

the year which have missed their course on migra-
tion. Pulteney notices one killed at Crichel, and
another on the beach at Charmouth. Professor
Newton saw a stuffed specimen in a farmhouse
near Moreton, which had been killed in the neigh-
bourhood. One shot at Portland is in the County
Museum ; and another, procured at Swanage, July
14, 1884, had frequented the place for some days
before it was shot.

FAM. CORVID^E.
CHOUGH. Pyrrhocorax graculus, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. 252 : Harting, p. 30 ; Dresser, iv. p. 437 ; See-
bohm, i. p. 576 ; Ibis List, p. 66 ; Corvus graculus, Pulte-
ney's List, p. 5.

There is much reason to fear that in the county of
Dorset this interesting bird is on the eve of extinc-
tion. Fifty years ago it used to be abundant on the
Purbeck coast, but has gradually become scarcer,
and is now quite a rare bird.

In 1865, on a visit to the Dorsetshire coast during
the nesting season, Mr. Harting observed several
pairs of Choughs in the cliffs near Lulworth, and
found two nests containing eggs. In an interest-
ing account which he has given of this excursion
(Zoologist, 1865, pp. 9665-9678), he thus alludes to
the present species: — "The Chough, when on the
wing, if at too great a distance to distinguish the
bill, may be readily known from the Jackdaw (the

CHOUGH. 51

only bird for which it could be mistaken) by its
rounder wings and more measured flight ; its note,
too, is sharper and more distinct. Judging from the
only two instances in which we were enabled to
make any observation, the Chough selects for its
breeding-place a crevice in a cliff some 80 or 100
feet below its summit, where the soil is crumbling

and the rock above impends. Generally the crevice
extends inwards for some little distance, and perhaps
turns to the right or left. On this account it is not
only a difficult nest to find, unless the bird is seen
from below to enter the crevice, but it is also one of
the most difficult to take from its almost inacces-
sible position. The natural daring of the fishermen,
however, further stimulated by the promise of a

52 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

reward, generally overcomes such difficulties. On
two occasions when in a boat under the cliffs, a
Chough passed within shot, but reflecting that we
had already done enough to diminish the race by
taking the eggs, our charge was saved, and the birds
spared, haply to breed again."

Since that time a few pairs have maintained their
footing in the range of sea-cliffs between Weymouth
and Swanage, but thoughtless destruction of the old
birds from time to time has sadly reduced their
numbers. Five were trapped in the summer of
1885 near Swanage, where in the following January
another was shot.

I had the pleasure of seeing a pair of old birds
and one young one flying about Seacombe Cliff, near
St. Alban's Head, in May 1885, and it is gratifying
to add that a pair were observed at Studland as
recently as April 1887.

RAVEN". Corvus corax, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 259; Harting, p. 30; Dresser, iv. p. 567; Seebolim,
i- P- 532 > Ib™ £*st> P- 7° > Pulteney's List, p. 4.

The Haven is another bird which has become
nearly extinct through persistent persecution. Fifty
years ago it used to breed in the cliffs of St. Alban's
Head and Gadcliff ; several were often seen together
soaring over the cliffs above Kimmeridge, with their
ominous croak. In 1865 Mr. Harting noticed its
occurrence near Lulworth, where there was a brood
reared (in Swyre Cliff) in April of that year (Zoologist,

CROWS. 53

1865, p. 9669). A pair have frequented the What-
combe Woods for the last two years, and I hope to
hear of their breeding. A pair of these birds showed
much precautionary skill in stealing the eggs of sea-
fowl from the perpendicular cliffs of Ballard Down,
near Swanage. While one stood as sentinel on a
commanding eminence, the other swooped below,
and after taking an egg, returned with it in its bill
to its companion ; both then flew off out of sight,
and after a short interval returned to repeat the
same tactics. This was observed several times in one
afternoon.

»

CROW. Corvus corone, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 274 ; Harting, p. 31 ; Dresser, iv. p. 531 ; Seebohm,
i. p. 539 ; Ibis List, p. 69 ; Pulteneys List, p. 4.

The Crow is a resident, and holds its own with
greater success than does the Raven. Possibly its
resemblance to the Rook has helped to protect it
from extermination. It is abundant in the Poole
estuary, where many may be seen together at low
tide, feeding along its margin.

HOODED CROW. Corvus comix, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 275 ; Harting, p. 31 ; Dresser, iv. p. 543; Seelohm,
i. p. 544 ; Ibis List, p. 69 ; Pulteney's List, p. 5.

A casual winter visitant, occasionally seen on the
Poole estuary, where it is a more frequent visitor
than in any other part of the county. One was shot.

54 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

at Abbotsbury, and another at Encombe, in December
1870; a third at Winterbourne Kingston, January
1 88 1, by Mr. E. Besant; and a fourth on December
8, 1885, at the same place.

ROOK. Corvus fmgilegus, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 289; Hartiny, p. 31 ; Dresser, iv. p. 551 ; See-
bohm, i. p. 549; Ibis List, p. 70 ; Pulteneifs List, p. 4.

The Rook is a common resident, extending its
colonies far and wide. Thousands assemble among
the lofty trees of Clenston and Oatclose Wood
during the autumn and winter months. Large and
small parties converge at eventide towards this centre
from every direction of the compass, and after a
short rest and apparent consultation in a neighbour-
ing field or down, they fly off and join their com-
panions for the night. The clamour of so great a
multitude at this time is well-nigh inconceivable.
They are up and about again at early morn, at which
time their behaviour indicates the state of the
weather for the ensuing day, for upon this depends
the extent of their wanderings ; if it is going to be
fine, whatever may be the forecast, they move off,
and are not seen again until the evening ; if, on the
contrary, it is going to be stormy, they do not go far
away. The labourers, who always take an interest
in the weather, and are usually very observant, say
when they see the Rooks hanging about the neigh-
bourhood, " 'Twill be bad weather to-day, for the
rooks do stay at home."

CROWS. 55

JACKDAW. Corvus monedula, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 305 ; Harting, p. 31 ; Dresser, iv. p. 523 ; See-
bohm, i. p. 556 ; Ibis List, p. 68; Pulteneijs List, p. 5.

Resident, and extremely numerous on our sea-cliffs,
where, according to some authorities, its increase
has operated to drive away the weaker and less
combative Chough.

MAGPIE. Pica rustica, (Scopoli).

Yarrell, ii. p. 312 ; Dresser, iv. p. 509 ; Ibis List, p. 68; Pica
caudata, Harting, p. 31 ; Seebohm, i. p. 562 ; Corvus pica,
Pulteney's List, p. 5.

A common resident, the Magpie is much perse-
cuted by gamekeepers on account of its asserted
partiality for young game and eggs. It breeds freely,
however, under protection. On one occasion, in
March 1884, I saw more than twenty together on
the hills behind Shillingston.

JAY. Garrulw glandarius, (L.)

Yarrell, ii p. 323 ; Harting, p. 32; Dresser, iv. p. 481; See-
bohm, i. p. 569; Ibis List, p. 67; Corvus glandarius, Pul-
teney's List, p. 5.

This brightly plumaged bird is a constant resi-
dent, and, like the rest of the Cormdse, suffers con-
stant persecution at the instance of game-preservers.
Its attractive wing-feathers, moreover, are an addi-
tional cause of danger to it.

5 6 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

FAM. HlRUNDINID^E.
SWALLOW. Hirundo rustica, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 340; Hartiny, p. 35; Dresser, iii. p. 477; See-
bohm, ii. p. 171 ; Ibis List, p. 42 : Pulteneijs List, p. 12.

The Swallow is one of our best known and fami-
liar summer visitants.

MARTIN. Chelidon urbica, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. 349 ; Dresser, iii. p. 495 ; Ibis List, p. 44 ; Hirundo
urbica, Hartiny, p. 35 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 178 ; Pulteney's List,
P- J3-

Like the last-named, a common summer visitor.

SAND-MARTIN. Cot He riparia, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 355 ; Dresser, iii. p. 505 ; Ibis List, p. 44 ; Hirundo
riparia, Hurting, p. 35; Seelohm, ii. p. 184; Pulteney's
List, p. 13.

A summer migrant, more local in its distribution
than its congeners, and essentially gregarious, breeding
in colonies. It leaves earlier than either the Swallow
or the House-Martin.

ORDER PICARLE.

FAM. CYPSELID.E.

SWIFT. Cyptdvx apus, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. 364 ; Harting, p. 35 ; Dresser, iv. p. 583 ; Seebohm,
ii, p. 292; Ibis List, p. 74; Hirundo apus, Pulteney's List,
P- 13-

A summer migrant, arriving later and leaving
earlier than any of the Hirundinidcs.

NIGHTJAR. 57

FAM. CAPRIMULGID^E.

NIGHTJAR. Caprimulgus europcens, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 377 ; Harting, p. 35 ; Dresser, iv. p. 621 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 309 ; Ibis List, p. 75 ; Pulteneifs List, p. 13.

The Nightjar is a summer visitant, arriving and
leaving about the same time as the Swift, and breed-
ing freely on our heath-lands ; the female lays two
eggs only, on the bare ground, with no pretensions
to a nest. The gape of the mouth is furnished with
stiff bristles, to facilitate, probably, the capture of
prey, which is caught on the wing ; the use of the
pectinated middle claw is difficult to explain, and
for this there are many theories. Gilbert White
considered it to be a provision to enable the bird
to secure beetles, on which he observed it preying.
"The circumstance that pleased me most," he
says,1 " was that I saw it distinctly more than once
put out its short leg when on the wing, and by a
bend of the head deliver somewhat into its mouth."
Wilson viewed it as "a comb to clean the bird of
vermin ; " Dillon thought " its chief use is to comb
and dress the bristles ; " Naumann, that " it might
be the means of enabling the bird to hold more firmly
when it alights upon a branch, upon which it has
the peculiarity of sitting lengthwise, and not across
it, like other birds." When disturbed in the day-
time, the Nightjar will fly in an apparently uncertain,
zigzag course to a neighbouring tree ; and when
1 Letter XXXVII, to Pennant.

5 8 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

flushed from its nest, it will, like many other birds
when they have young, feign to be wounded or
winged. When on the feed at dusk, it shows the
greatest activity and power of wing, wheeling and
skimming over the surface of a piece of water with
the rapidity and gracefulness of a swallow. Owing
to its owl-like aspect, it often falls a victim to the
gamekeeper's gun. Pulteney states that it has been
killed in Dorsetshire as late as October.

FAM. CUCDLID^E.
CUCKOO. Cuculus canorus, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 387 ; Hartmy, p. 34 ; Dresser, v. p. 199 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 378 ; Ibis List, p. 83 ; Pulteneijs List, p. 5.

The Cuckoo is a well - known summer visitant,
arriving punctually almost to a day. With us it is
Wareham Fair- day. I found a young Cuckoo in
June 1886 occupying a Robin's nest at the foot of
a gate-post, Robin's eggs lying outside on the
ground. The gate was much in use at the time,
passengers and waggons continually passing through.
I once flushed a Cuckoo on the sea -coast in the
month of November.

HOOPOE. 59

FAM.
HOOPOE. Upupa epops, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 419 ; Hartiny, p. 33 ; Dresser, v. p. 179 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 334 ; Ibis List, p. 83 ; Pulteney's List, p. 5.

The Hoopoe is an irregular summer visitant, and
would be seen much oftener if allowed to remain
and breed, which it doubtless would do, but its
conspicuous plumage is fatal ; for as soon as it ap-
pears, it attracts the attention of every thoughtless
gunner. Pulteney says it has been seen at Shroton,
Hanford, Cranborne Chace, Aimer, Dorchester, and
the neighbourhood of Wareham. Yarrell states that
there were three Hoopoes in the collection of the
Eev. Mr. Bailey (Bartlett?) at Swanage in 1827, all
of which had been killed in the neighbourhood ; two
shot at Canford in 1839 ; two at Langton Maltravers
in 1850. One seen at Kimmeridge in 1851, and
escaped ; one shot at Butterwick, Bishop's Caundle,
1854 ; and one at Buckland Newton, the same year,
by Mr. W. D. Dugdale ; one seen at Charmouth (Mr.
F. Moore) ; two shot at Hemsworth Farm, Witch-
amptou, April 1861 ; one picked up dead on Roger's
Farm, Bere Regis, September 1876 ; one shot at
Branksome Tower, Bournemouth, and another at
Longfleet, .Poole, 1878 ; one shot by Mr. Robert
Lewis at Ash Farm, Stourpaine. There are records
of its occurrence also at Hamworthy, Poole, Win-
frith, Studland, and Radipole, near Weymouth.
Mr. Harting states (" Our Summer Migrants," p.

60 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

251), that " according . to the observations of Mr.
Turner of Sherbome, Dorsetshire, the nest has been
taken on three or four occasions by the schoolboys
from pollard willows, on the banks of the river
Lenthay, and that the birds were known to the boys
as ' Hoops.' '

FAM.

KOLLEK. Coracias yarrula, L.

Yarrell, ii. 428 ; Hart ing, p. 34 ; Dresser, v. 141 ; Seebohtn, ii.
p. 329; Ibis List, p. 237.

So far as I am aware, there is only one ascertained
instance of the occurrence of this rare bird in Dor-
setshire. In 1868 one passed through Mr. Hart's
hands, which had been shot in the neighbourhood of
Dorchester.

FAM. MEROPLD^E.

BEE-EATER. Merops apiaster, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 435 j Harting, p. 34 ; Dresser, v. p. 155 ; Seelohm,
ii. p. 321 ; Ibis List, p. 82.

Like the last named, the Bee-Eater is an irregular
summer visitant. One said to have been shot at
Chideock, Lyme Eegis, is preserved in the Bridport
Museum ; another shot at Swanage is in the posses-
sion of Mr. White, stone merchant, of that place.

KINGFISHER. 61

FAM. ALCEDINID^E.

KINGFISHEE. Alcedo ispida, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 443 ; Harting, p. 34 ; Dresser, v. p. 113 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 341 ; Ibis List, p. 80; Pulteney's List, v. p. 6.

The Kingfisher is a resident, and generally dis-
tributed throughout the county. Notwithstanding
its resplendent plumage, it continues to escape ex-
termination, partly from its fecundity, and partly
from the inaccessible position of its nest, which is
frequently at some depth within the river-bank. A
curious instance occurred in 1884 of the instinctive
capacity displayed by a pair of Kingfishers in dis-
covering fish which had been introduced in a locality
far removed from their usual haunts, and so placed
as to necessitate a considerable journey through
woods and across downs. At the Down House,
which stands about a hundred and twenty feet above
the valley of the Stour, and a mile and a half distant
from the river, the water supply being dependent
upon a deep well, the owner, Sir William Harriot,
remedied the deficiency by a " ram " erected on the
Stour, which pumped up the water and conveyed it
by underground pipes to the house. This not only
satisfied the requirements of the establishment, but
enabled him to have some ornamental waterworks
and a fish-culture apparatus, from which the fry as
soon as they were hatched were removed to a pond of
no very large dimensions. It was to this pond the
Kingfishers found their way, and committed great

62 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

havoc amongst the young fish. It is difficult to
account for their presence at a spot so far removed
from their natural haunts, unless we may assume that
the new fish-pond was first discovered accidentally
by the birds when passing over on migration be-
tween the valleys of the Stour and the Winter-
bourne. For it must be remembered that at the
approach of winter a general migratory movement
takes place, and the Kingfishers draw down towards
the sea. In November 1884 three were killed at
Peveril Point, Swanage, at the extreme end of the
ledge.

FAM.

GREEN WOODPECKER. Gecinus viridis, (L.)

Tarrell, ii. p. 457 ; Dresser, v. p. 77 : Seebohm, ii. p. 364 ; Ibis
List, p. 79 ; Picus viridis, Ilarting, p. 32 ; Ptilteney's List,
p. 6.

The Green Woodpecker is a well-known resident
in Dorsetshire, and abundant in the wooded districts
of the county. Its cheery note, so far-resounding in
early spring, I have heard as late as October 12.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Dendrocopus major, (L.)

Yarrell, ii. p. 470; Ibis List, p. 77 ; Picus major, Harting,
p. 32; Dresser, v. p. 19; Seebohm, ii. p. 354; Pulteney's
List, p. 6.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker, although a resi-
dent in Dorsetshire, is the rarest of all the Picidde.

WOODPECKERS. 63

In November 1872 a young bird about three-quarters
grown was shot in Clenston Wood ; one was shot
at Bloxworth by the Kev. O. P. Cambridge ; another
at Little Bridy by the Kev. A. E. Eaton ; a third
passed through the hands of Mr. Hart of Christ-
church, which was shot at Shaftesbury ; and a fourth
was shot at Wareham in February 1 866.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Dendrocopus minor, (L.)

Tarrell, ii. p. 477; Ibis List, p. 78; Picus minor, Harting,
p. 32 ; Dresser, v. p. 53 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 359; Pulteney's
List, p. 6.

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is also a resident,
and generally distributed in suitable localities. A
pair built a nest and reared a brood at Bridehead
(Rev. A. E. Eaton). One in my collection was shot
at Houghton, and I have a note of another shot at
Long Bridy in May 1885.

MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Dendrocopus
medius, (L.)

Ibis List, p. 78; Picus medius, Harting, p. 122; Dresser, v.
p. 47 ; Pulteney's List, p. 6.

Although there is no satisfactory evidence of the
occurrence in England of the Middle Spotted Wood-
pecker, for which the young of D. major has some-
times been mistaken, it is nevertheless included by
Pulteney in his catalogue of the birds of Dorset.

64 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

DOWNY WOODPECKER Dendrocopus pubescens, (L.)

Tarrell, ii. p. 485 ; Ibis List, p. 77 ; Picus pubescens, Harting,
p. 122.

The Downy Woodpecker being a North American
bird, common to the Eastern United States, it is diffi-
cult to account for its occurrence in Dorsetshire.
The Rev. O. P. Cambridge, however, possesses one
which was shot at Bloxworth in December 1836.
(See The Zoologist, 1859, p. 6444.)

GREAT BLACK WOODPECKER. Picus martius, L.

Tarrell, ii. p. 482; Harting, p. 120; Seebohm, ii. p. 368; Ibis
List, p. 76 ; Pulteney's List, p. 6 ; Dryocopus martius,
Dresser, v. p. 3.

The Great Black Woodpecker is included here on
the authority of Pulteney, who writes : — " Body
black, cap scarlet. Shot in the Nursery Garden,
Blandford ; also at Whitchurch and other places in
Dorset." Considering the wide geographical range
of this bird, which inhabits the pine forests of
Northern and Central Europe, and occurs also in
Spain (fide Lord Lilford), there seems nothing im-
probable in its reported appearance in the British
Islands ; although recent authorities, notwithstand-
ing the numerous records of its appearance and
capture, demur to its claim to be regarded as an
occasional visitant to this country.

PIGEONS. " 65

•

WRYNECK. Jynx torquilla, L.

Yarrell, ii. p. 487 ; Harting, p. 33; Seebohm, ii. p. 372; Ibis
List, p. 80; Dresser, v. p. 103.

The Wryneck is a well-known visitant in summer,
when its singular cry may be heard frequently in
woods and orchards. I have notes of specimens
obtained from Clenston Wood, Puncknoll, Luke,
and Whatcombe.

ORDER COLUMB^E.

FAM. COLUMBHLE.

RINGDOVE OK WOOD-PIGEON. Columbapalumbus,L.

Yarrell, iii. p. i ; Harting, p. 36 ; Dresser, vii. p. 3 ; Seebohm, ii.
p. 396; Ibis List, p. 138; Pultenei/'s List, p. 7.

The shelter afforded by extensive woods and plan-
tations facilitates the increase of this species, which
is a common resident.

STOCK-DOVE. Columba anas, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 8; Harting, p. 36; Dresser, vii. p. 23; Seebohm,
ii. p. 401 ; Ibis List, p. 138; Pulteney's List, p. 7.

The Stock-Dove is annually becoming more abun-
dant, especially in the sandy parts bordering the
Poole estuary, where it breeds in the rabbit bur-
rows, and far enough within to require digging for.

E

66 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Sometimes two pairs will occupy the same burrow.
They also nest in the sea-cliffs, as satisfactorily
ascertained by Mr. Harting (Zoologist, 1865, p.
9670; and The Field, 1 4th April 1866). In winter
they may be seen in flocks, sometimes associating
with the Wood-Pigeon.

KOCK-DOVE. Columba lima, Gmelin.

Yarrell, iii. p. 13 ; Harting, p. 36 ; Dresser, vii. p. 1 1 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 405 ; Ibis List, p. 139.

The Rock-Dove is reported to breed about Port-
land, Gadcliff, Whitenore, and St. Alban's Head, but
is rare. According to Mr. W. Thompson of Wey-
mouth, a pair bred in the fissure of a rock at
Whitenore in June 1853, and a specimen in my
collection was shot at Gadcliff, on the western side
of Kimmeridge Bay.

In his account of a visit to the Dorsetshire coast
in the nesting season (Zoologist, 1865, p. 9670), Mr.
Harting thus refers to the Rock-Dove : — " Although
I was assured that the Rock-Dove breeds on this
coast, and that I should have little difficulty in
obtaining both birds and eggs, the only pigeons
which I saw were certainly not Columba livia;
they were either C. cenas or a cross between this
species and the wild domestic pigeon. They were
all similar in colour, and very dark ; but in every
case I looked in vain for the white-tail coverts — a
characteristic and distinguishing mark of C. livia.
These dark-coloured pigeons breed in the cliffs,

PIGEONS. 67

and are known to the fishermen as 'Rock-Doves,'
although they are not the true Rock-Dove, C. lima.
I will not say that the true Rock-Dove does not
occur here, but only that we did not see it between
Weymouth and St. Alban's Head, although out every
day from morning till night."

Mr. Harting subsequently procured and reared
some young birds from the cliffs near Lulworth,
which proved to be Columba cenas. His remarks
on the subject will be found in The Field of April 14,
1866, p. 317. From this it would seem to be not
unlikely that the birds reported by Mr. Thompson
of Weymouth as breeding in the cliffs at Whiten ore
(the same range of cliffs) were also Columba cenas
(or perhaps escaped " Blue-Rocks "), and not, as he
supposed, Columba livia. It may be observed that
in the Isle of Wight, according to Mr. A. G. More
(Venables' " Guide to the Isle of Wight," p. 43 1), the
Rock-Dove is stated to be "a rare winter visitor,"
which would hardly be the case if it bred commonly
in the cliffs of Dorsetshire.

TURTLE-DOVE. Turtur communis, Selby.

Yarrell, iii. p. 21 ; Ibis List, p. 139 ; Turtur auritus, Harting,
p. 37; Seebohm, ii. p. 411; Turtur vulgaris, Dresser, vii.
p. 39 ; Coluniba turtur, Pulteney's List, p. 7.

A summer visitant, arriving about the end of
April, and leaving in September. Towards the end
•of the summer it may be seen on the stubbles in
small flocks.

68 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

OEDEE GALLING.

FAM. TETRAONID.E.
BLACK GROUSE. Tetrao tetrix, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 60 ; Hart ing, p. 38 ; Dresser, vii. p. 205 j See-
bokm, ii. p. 435 ; Ibis List, p. 145 ; Pulteney's List, p. 7.

The Black Grouse is very local in Dorsetshire,
and does not increase under the strictest preservation.
This may be accounted for possibly by the absence
of forests and large woods in the vicinity of our
moorlands, to which they can retire on quitting the
heather. It occurs only on the heaths which are
preserved, as between Alderholt and Knighton, where
a few broods are reared annually. I learn from
Professor Newton that in 1872 there was a nest
on Bloxworth Heath ; and I have occasionally seen
Black Grouse on Chamberlayne's and Hyde Heaths.
A fine specimen in the collection of Mr. W. Penney
was shot on the common, near Lake Clay Pits, Ham-
worthy, in November 1876. Mr. Eadclyffe shot a
hybrid between the Black Grouse and Pheasant,
which is preserved in his collection at Hyde.

GAME BIRDS. 69

FAM. PHASIANID^E.

PHEASANT. Phasianus Golchicus, L.

Yatrell, iii. p. 91; Harting, p. 37 ; Dresser, vii. p. 85; See-
bohm, ii. p. 445 ; Ibis List, p. 141 ; Pulteney's List, p. 6.

As a strictly preserved species, generally dis-
tributed and abundant throughout the county. I
have in my collection a splendid hybrid between a
Pheasant and a Dorking hen, one of two hatched
in 1871 under the care of my keeper, W. Shave, at
Houghton.

PARTRIDGE. Perdix cinerea, Latham.

Yarrell, iii. p. 105; Harting, p. 39; Dresser, vii. p. 131; See-
bohm, ii p. 452; Ibis List, p. 142; Tetrao perdix, Pul-
teney's List, p. 7.

Resident and generally distributed ; its numbers
obviously increased by the protection afforded it by
game-preservers generally throughout the county.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. CaccaUs rufa, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 115; Dresser, vii. p. 103; Ibis List, p. 141;
Perdix rufa, Harting, p. 40; Seebohm, ii. p. 457; Tetrao
rufus, Pulteney's List, p. 7.

Fortunately (as some people consider) the Red-
legged Partridge has failed to attain a permanent
footing in this county, occasional attempts to in-
troduce it having proved unsuccessful. Pulteney
notices a specimen shot at Upwey, near Weymouth,

70 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

and suggests the probability of its sometimes reaching
this country from the Channel Islands. This, how-
ever, is very unlikely, as the Ked-legged Partridge,
although a wandering species, is not migratory. In
some parts of the eastern counties it is said to
have extirpated the Common Partridge, but this
is contradicted by many good authorities. They
are not only frequently found together in the same
field, but the eggs of both species have occasionally
been found in the same nest. A preference for
running rather than flying renders it, in the eyes of
many sportsmen, an inferior object of pursuit to
the Grey Partridge when dogs are used ; but in
the now fashionable sport of " Partridge-driving "
the red-legged bird is invaluable.

QUAIL. Coturnix communis, Bormaterre.

Yarrell, iii. p. 123; Dresser, vii. p. 143; Seebohm, ii. p. 462 ;
Ibis List, p. 143 ; Coturnix vulgaris, Hart ing, p. 40 ;
Tetrao coturnix, Pulteney's List, p. 7.

The Quail is a summer migrant, arriving in
April and leaving early in September. Some few
remain during the winter, and I have seen them as
late as January i st. Several are annually found in the
neighbourhood of Blandford, especially at Houghton
and Milbome St. Andrew's. One was shot at Lul-
worth, September 12, 1882, three at Whatcombe in
August 1882, a bevy was found at Milborne St.
Andrew's in September 1884, and a single bird was
shot there in October 1885.

RAILS. 71

ORDER FULICARI^E.

FAM. RALLID^E.

CORNCRAKE or LANDRAIL. Orex pratensis, (Bechstein).

Yarrell, iii. p. 137; Hailing, p. 57; Dresser, vii. p. 291;
Seebohm, ii p. 535; Ibis List, p. 149; Rallus crex, Pul-
teney's List, p. 15.

A common summer visitant, whose harsh note is
heard in the mowing grass and clover-fields soon
after its arrival, which is usually during the first
week of May. The nest, which is often cut out by
the mowers, generally contains from eight to ten
eggs, of a pale cream colour, blotched or spotted
with reddish brown. One of its migratory routes in
autumn lies in the direction of Swanage and the
neighbourhood, where as many as thirty have been
shot in one day in the early part of October.

SPOTTED CRAKE. Porzana maruetta, (Leach).

Yarrell, iii. p. 143 ; Dresser, vii. p. 267 ; This List, p. 147 ;
Crex porzana, Hailing, p. 58; Seebohm, ii. p. 540.

A rare visitant on migration in spring and autumn.
In other parts of England it has occasionally been
observed during the winter. The authors of " The
Birds of Cumberland " report the case of one which
was constantly seen from the month of November

12 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

until it was shot in the following April near Penrith ;
but this, after all, might be an exceptional case. I
have notes of one shot near Weymouth, November
5, 1852, and "another near Wareham in September
1868. The late Mr. Thompson sent one alive to the
Zoological Society's Gardens in the Regent's Park,
which had been caught in a garden at Radipole. His
son shot one at Lodmoor, near Weymouth, September
28, 1872 ; and one obtained in the neighbourhood of
Blandford is in the collection of the Rev. J. Penny,
Rector of Tarrant Rushton.

LITTLE CKAKE. Porzana parva, (Scopoli).

Yarrell, iii. p. 148; Dresser, vii. p. 283; Ibis List, p. 148;
Crex pusilla, Harting, p. 58 ; Crex parva, Seebohm, ii.
P- 547-

Two specimens of the Little Crake were shot in
the neighbourhood of Alderholt Park (G. Churchill),
and, so far as I am aware, this is the only instance
known of its occurrence in this county.

WATEK-KAIL. Rallus aquaticus, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 159; Harting, p. 57; Dresser, vii. p. 257;
Seebohm, ii. p. 552; Ibis List, p. 146; Pulteney's List,
P- 15-

The Water-Rail is resident, and not unfrequent in
suitable places. It often escapes observation owing
to its extreme shyness and skulking habits, never
making use of its wings unless closely pressed. I
have notes of its occurrence at Kimmeridge, Bere
Regis, and Lodmoor, near Weymouth.

RAILS. 73

MOOKHEX. Gallinula chloropus, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 164; Harting, p. 58 ; Dresser, vii. p. 313; See-
bohm, ii. p. 557 ; Ibis List, p. 151 ; Fulica chloropus, Pul-
tenei/s List, p. 16.

Resident, and generally distributed in ponds and
streams throughout the county.

COOT. Fulica atra, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 171; Harting, p. 58; Dresser, vii. p. 327;
Seebohm, ii. p. 564; Ibis List, p. 151 ; Pultenei/s List, p. 16.

The Coot is more local in its distribution than
the Moorhen, and more gregarious, frequenting only
the larger pools, rivers, and estuaries. During the
winter months it may be seen in flocks at Abbots-
bury, Poole estuary, Littlesea, Morden Park, and
Crichel.

ORDER ALECTORIDES.
FAM. GRUID^.

CRANE. Grus communis, Bechstein.

Yarrell, iii. p. 178; Dresser, vii. p. 337; Ibis List, p. 152;
Grus cinerea, Harting, p. 54 ; Seebolnn, ii. p. 570.

Although at one time a resident in the British
Islands, breeding in the fenlands, the Crane is now
only an accidental visitor to this country ; and as

74 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

regards Dorsetshire, it can only be included in our
catalogue as a rare straggler. Stokes, the Poole
gunner, shot one at Poole, November 12, 1839, and
another in 1849. A third, shot on the banks of
the Wareham river in May 1869, is in the posses-
sion of Mr. H. Panton of Wareham. These are the
only three instances of its occurrence in this county
of which I have any note.

FAM. OTIDID^E.

GEEAT BUSTARD. Otia tarda, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 193 ; Harting, p. 41 ; Dresser, viii. p. 369 ;
Seebohm, ii. p. 581 ; I Ms List, p. 153 ; Pultejiey's List, p. 6.

The Great Bustard, like the Crane, was also a
resident at no very remote period in Great Britain.
Pulteney, writing in 1813, says: — "The Bustard is
now becoming very scarce even in Wiltshire ; a few
stragglers make their appearance now and then about
Woodyates and Ashmore Downs ; single birds have
been killed in Langton parish, in Studland, and
elsewhere." The late Sir William Oglander is said
to have shot three on the same day. The Rev. W.
Chafin, in the second edition of his "Anecdotes of
Cranboum Chace," published in 1818, thus refers to
his meeting with a flock of Bustards in 1751 : — "I
was shooting Dotterels near Winterslow Hut, when
the report of my gun disturbed twenty-five Bustards,
which flew away quietly over the hill called Southern

BUSTARDS.

75

Hill. I followed them on horseback, and came upon
them nearly within shot. As they rose, the noise of
their wings frightened my horse, which I was leading ;
he started back, threw me down, and ran away. As

soon as I got upon my knees, I fired at the birds, but
they had got out of range. I saw one separate itself
from the rest, and alight on the side of the opposite
hill and spread out its wings as if wounded, but

76 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

before I could come within shot, it took flight and
followed the line of its companions." He adds, " I
believe such a number of Bustards will never again
be seen in England together.1 On January 23, 1871,
three Bustards appeared near Maddington, a village
on Salisbury Plain, and one of them was killed by a
bird-keeping boy with a marble which he happened
to have in his pocket at the time, and with which
he charged his gun (Zoologist, 1871, p. 2477). A
few days later, namely, on January 26th, the two
survivors were seen near the adjoining village of
Berwick St. James, and one of them, a male, was
shot with a bullet (Zoologist, 1871, p. 25 ro). It is
preserved in the Salisbury Museum. Nearly ten
years later, namely, on January i, 1880, a hen Bustard
weighing nine pounds was shot by Mr. W. Hibberd
in a turnip-field at Handley, near Woodyates Inn,
and was sent for preservation to Mr. Hart of Christ-
church (Zoologist, 1880, p. no). This is the Dorset-
shire specimen referred to in the fourth edition of
Yarrell's "British Birds," vol. iii. p. 208.

LITTLE BUSTARD. Otis tetrax, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 216 ; Harting, p. 42 ; Dresser, vii. p. 383 ;
Seebohm, ii. p. 587 ; Ibis List, p. 154.

The Little Bustard is an occasional winter visi-
tant. More than forty instances of its occurrence
in England were known to Mr. Harting when he

1 The original account is somewhat diffuse, and accordingly is here
abridged.

PLOVERS. 77

published his " Handbook of British Birds " in 1872.
In Dorsetshire, however, it must be a very rare bird,
for I have not heard of more than one instance of its
occurrence in the county. This was a hen bird in
my collection, shot December 26, 1853, on Fossil
Common, Winfrith.

ORDEE LIMICOL.E.
FAM. (EDICNEMID^E.

STONE-CUKLEW. GEdlcnemus crepitans, Tern.

(E. scolopax (Gmeliu), Yarrell, iii. p. 225 ; Dresser, vii. p. 401 ;
Ibis List, p. 155 ; (Edicnemus crepitans, Hartiny, p. 42 ;
Seebohm, ii. p. 596 ; Charadrius cedicnemus, Pultenei/s
List, p. 1 6.

The Stone-Curlew or Thick-Knee is a summer
visitant, usually frequenting the chalk uplands of
the county. Its eggs are not unfrequently found
on the winter fallows, where many are unfortunately
destroyed by the practice of rolling the wheat in
spring. This fate attended two nests at Pimperne
in the spring of 1885. A chick was brought to me
alive in July 1873, which I caused to be restored to
the field from which it was taken, and not too late,
as I hoped, to be recovered by the parents. I have
notes of this species being shot on their autumn
migration at Bingham's Melcombe, at Kimmeridge,
and near Encombe ; Pulteney especially refers to

78 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Monkton Down, near Blandford, as a haunt of this
species. In the autumn of 1 886 as many as thirteen
were seen together in a turnip-field at Whitchurcli.
A specimen in the collection of Mr. W. Penney was
shot on the Sandbanks in Poole Harbour on the loth
December 1873. The occurrence of this bird here
in winter recalls the statement of Eodd (" Birds of
Cornwall," p. 83), to the effect that it is known in
Cornwall only as a winter visitant, that county being
regarded as the northern boundary of the area occu-
pied by this species in its winter quarters. The
Rev. Murray A. Mathew testifies to its occasional
occurrence in winter in Devonshire, and Mr. A. G.
More says the same of the Isle of Wight (Venables'
" Guide to the Isle of Wight," p. 431).

FAM. GLAREOLID.E.

COLLARED PRATINCOLE. Glareola pratincola, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 231 ; Harting, p. 133; Dresser, vii. p. 411 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 69 ; Ibis List, p. 155.

The Collared Pratincole is a rare summer visitant.
Mr. Harting, in his " Handbook of British Birds," *
enumerates twenty instances of its occurrence in the
British Islands. One in the Bryanston collection
was shot on the banks of the Stour, during a severe
winter when the river was frozen over ; a second
was seen on the eastern side of the county in the
1 See also J. H. Guruey, juii., Zoologist, 1869, p. 1612.

PLOVERS.

79

direction of Christchurch (J. C. Dale) ; and a third
was seen by the late Mr. W. Thompson in November
1855, flying over the Weymouth Backwater.

FAM. CHARADRIID.E.

CREAM-COLOURED COURSER. Cursorius galliciis (Giuelin).

Yarrell, iii. p. 238; Hurting, p. 131 ; Dresser, vii. p. 425; See-
bohm, iii. p. 63 ; Ibis List, p. 156.

J&C

The Cream-coloured Courser is a rare and acci-
dental straggler. The present Lord Digby, when
following the hounds in the year 1853, observed one
on Batcombe Down, and the next day the Earl of
Ilchester sent his keeper Walton, who found and
shot it. It is now preserved in the Melbury col-
lection.

8o THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

DOTTEREL. Eudromias morinellus, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 246 ; Harting, p. 43 ; Dresser, vii. p. 507 ; Ibis
List, p. 1 60; Charadrius morinellus, Seebohm, iii. p. 30;
Pulteney's List, p. 16; Proc. Dorset Nat. Hist, and Antiq.
Field Club, vol. vi. p. 29.

The Dotterel is a spring and autumn visitant, and
is partial to dry cultivated soils. Dorsetshire is not
directly in its line of migration, and consequently
the bird rarely visits us. One was shot near Pim-
perne, and another on Pimperne Down (Pulteney).
Three were shot on Waterson Ridge by the late Mr.
James Harding in the early spring of 1843, during
some veiy cold weather ; one was shot on the western
side of Milborne St. Andrew's farm, in a turnip-

PLOVERS. 8 1

field, in June 1853, and three were shot in 1884
at Bradford Abbas (Prof. Buckman). Two in the
collection of Mr. Weld were shot near Lulworth,
September 3, 1876.

RINGED PLOVER, ^gialitis hiaticula, (L.)

Tarrell, iii. p. 257; Harting, p. 44; Dresser, vii. p. 497; Ibis
List, p. 159 ; Charadrius hiaticula, Seebohm, iii. p. 20 ; Pul-
teney's List, p. 16.

Kesident, and generally distributed along the coast.
It is a social bird, and keeps together in small flocks.
Its musical note may be heard as it is flying across
the sea, or running at the edge of the water. It
breeds in numbers on the Chesil Bank, as well as
on the sandbanks of Poole and Studland. A pair or
two always nest close to the Haven Hotel at the
mouth of the harbour, and rear two broods in the
year (T. M. Pike).

Note. — The Kentish Plover, AZgialitis cantiana,
has not been identified with certainty in this county,
but as it has been found occasionally both in Hants
and Devon, there can be little doubt that it also
visits Dorsetshire.

GOLDEN PLOVER. Charadrius pluv iaUs, L.

Tarrell, iii. p. 271 ; Harting, p. 42 ; Dresser, vii. p. 435 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 35 ; Ibis List, p. 157 ; Pulteney's List, p. 16.

There is no recent evidence of this bird breeding
in the county, although Pulteney asserts that it is

82 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

said to breed every year on Charlton Down, a part
which has been so much frequented by them as to
acquire the name of Plover Hole Bottom. Small
flocks visit our downs during the winter and early
spring, when their cheery notes may be often heard
as they wheel round or pass overhead with lightning
speed. During hard frost or when snow is on the
ground, the Poole estuary is a favourite resort. I
have one in my collection in nearly full summer
plumage, which was shot by Mr. T. Keynes at
Winterbourne Kingston late in the spring of 1881.

GEEY PLOVER. Squatarola helvetica, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 278; Harting, p. 43; Dresser, vii. p. 455; Ibis
List, p. 158; Charadrius helveticus, Seebolim, iii. p. 44.

The Grey Plover is a spring and autumn visitant,
and is seen inland much less frequently than the
Golden Plover, preferring the estuaries and mud-
flats. It regularly visits Poole harbour at the period
of its migrations, being commoner in autumn than
in spring, and a few are met with on the coast some-
times in winter. Two were shot at Weymouth
in November and December 1850, when there were
a good many at Lodmoor ; two in summer plumage
were procured at Poole in 1859 ; two at Lodmoor in
May 1867 ; and one at the same place in May 1872
(W. Thompson). The young birds of the year, which
have yellow spots on the back like the Golden
Plover, may be distinguished by the black axillaries,
and by the presence of a hind-toe.

PLOVERS. 83

LAPWING OR PEEWIT. Vanellus vulgaris, Bechstein.

Yarrell, iii. p. 283 ; Dresser, vii. p. 545 ; Ibis List, p. 161 ; Vanel-
lus cristatus, Harting, p. 43; Seebohm, iii. p. 57; Tringa
Vanellus, Pulteney's List, p. 15.

A well-known and common resident, congregating
in flocks at the end of the nesting season, when
numbers leave the higher grounds where they breed,
and go down to the mud-flats of the harbours and
estuaries.

TURNSTONE. Strepsilas interpret, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 289; Harting, p. 44; Dresser, vii. p. 555; Ibis
List, p. 161; Charadrius interpres, Seebohm, iii. p. 12;
Tringa interpres, Pulteney's List, p. 15.

The Turnstone visits our coasts in spring and
autumn, when migrating to and from its breeding
haunts in Greenland, Iceland, and the shores and
islands of Scandinavia. Mr. T. M. Pike informs me
that it has been seen here during every month in the
year, but that it is rare in winter. Several small
flocks were seen at Poole, Studland, Kimmeridge
Bay, and the neighbourhood of Weymouth in the
severe spring of 1873. On Jurie 8, 1875, Mr. Pike
saw a pair on Drift Point, at the mouth of Poole har-
bour. One in my collection was knocked down by
a stone thrown by a quarryman in Kimmeridge Bay
in the autumn of 1881. The local name of this bird
is Variegated or Chicken Plover.

84 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

OYSTER-CATCHER. Hcematopus ostralegus, L.

Yarrell, in. p. 294; Hailing, p. 45; Dresser, vii. p. 567; Seebohm,
in. p. 4; Ibis List, p. 162 ; Pulteney's List, p. 15.

The Oyster-Catcher is frequently seen in the
autumn, and at that season is generally distributed
along the coast. A few pairs breed on the sandy
portions of the Poole estuary, Weymouth, Worbar-
row, and Studland. Should any approach be made
towards the nest or newly hatched young, the parents
with plaintive cries fly round and round overhead
and endeavour to distract attention, very much as
the Peewit does under similar circumstances.

FAM. SCOLOPACID^E.

AVOCET. Recurvirostra avocetta, L.

Yari'ell, iii. p. 299; Harting, p. 46; Dresser, vii. p. 577; Ibis
List, p. 162; Himantopus avocetta, Seebohm, iii. p. 74.

Although seventy years ago the Avocet used to
breed in Lincolnshire and Norfolk, drainage of the
marshes and persecution by gunners and egg-
gatherers have driven it away, and it can now be
only regarded as a rare visitor in spring and autumn.
Pulteney includes it in his list " as sometimes seen
on the shores of the county in the winter." Pro-
bably late autumn was intended. As stated by
Yarrell, the Avocet has been noticed several times in
Dorsetshire. One was killed by Captain Pretor near

STILT. 85

the Portland Ferry- bridge in October 1867, and
another was shot by Mr. W. Thompson the following
month at Lodmoor ; a third was obtained at Poole in
1869. Mr. T. M. Pike informs me that he once saw
one on the wing close to Patchin's Point, a well-
known resort of waders jutting out from the Arne
peninsula.

BLACK-WINGED STILT. Himantopus candidus, Bonnaterre.

Yarrett, iii. p. 305 ; Harting, p. 135 ; Dresser, vii. p. 587 ; Ibis
List, p. 163; Himantopus melanopterus, Seebohm, iii p.
79 ; Charadrius himantopus, Pulteney1 s List, p. 16.

The Black-winged Stilt, like the Avocet, is a rare
and accidental visitant on migration. Pulteney says,
" I have not seen the bird, but from the accounts I
have received, it cannot be doubted that it has been
seen in the neighbourhood of Poole, and it is certain
that it was killed in Hampshire." One was shot at
Lodmoor in 1837 (W. Thompson).

GREY PHALAKOPE. PJialaropus fulicarius, (L.)

Tarrell, iii. p. 310; Harting, p. 50; Dresser, vii. p. 605; See-
bohm, iii. p. 85 ; Ibis List, p. 164 ; Tringa lobata, Pulteney1 8
List, p. 15.

The Grey Phalarope is an occasional winter visitor
to our coast. Pulteney notices one which was shot
on the Stour near Blandford in the year 1 7 74, eleven
years after it had been first described as a British
bird. At the period of the autumnal migration this
little bird is sometimes very common. In the autumn

86 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

of 1847 and 1849, for example, a considerable num-
ber of Grey Phalaropes appeared, and in the spring of
1849 one in summer plumage (rarely obtained in
England) was shot by the Rev. C. Torkington at
Weymouth Breakwater. It is curious, as remarked
by Mr. Harting, that although the Grey Phalarope
is sometimes quite numerous in the eastern and
southern counties of England, at the period of its
autumnal migration (at which season it has assumed

the winter plumage), it is very rarely met with here in
spring in the very different plumage of the breeding
season ; indicating that on its return northwards to its
breeding haunts in spring it adopts a route which
does not take the main body of the migrating birds
through the British Islands, as is the case in autumn.
An extraordinary visitation of this species occurred
in the autumn of 1866, chiefly on the south and
south-east coasts of England, between August 2oth

PHALAROPE. 87

and October 8th, and a great many were met with in
Dorsetshire. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., in a pamphlet
which he published in the spring of 1867, has sum-
marised the occurrences which were reported, and
referring to Dorsetshire, he says (p. 17): "In the
county of Dorset I am able to record nineteen at
Weymouth, viz., a dozen set up by Mr. Eolls, who
declares a hundred must have been brought to his
door. There were also some shot at Abbotsbury,
where two were observed swimming in a ditch within
a hundred yards of a much-frequented road. Two of
those stuffed by Mr. Rolls were killed on the igth
September by Mr. S. A. Pretor, and two others in
addition were brought in on the 2 1 st, on which day
a gunner offered Mr. Thompson of Weymouth five
for sale. One at Piddle Trenthide Manor-house on
September 2Oth, was recorded by Rev. C. Bingham
at the time in Science Gossip. On September 24th
in that year, a Grey Phalarope was obtained at
Wareham, on the property of Mr. Edward Weld, who
wrote me word that about the same time he flushed
one in a turnip-field. In addition to these, one was
shot by a shepherd at Whatcombe ; two by the keeper
of Hemngston Manor; one at Dorchester; one at
Portland (September 24th) ; and lastly, one at Brid-
port, which was caught alive by the children of the
Rev. Melville Lee in a field between that place
and the harbour. In January 1873 one was shot
near the Portland Ferry-bridge by Captain Pretor,
and several have been seen in Kimmeridge Bay at
various times. In the autumn of 1876 Mr. T. M.

88 THE BIRDS OF DORSET:

Pike shot two just outside the Wareham River, swim-
ming in , shallow water. He considers this bird to
be an annual visitor in autumn. A correspondent
writing in the Field of October 24, 1885, states that
he killed two Grey Phalaropes at Wareham not long
before, and was much surprised at their extraordinary
fearlessness. It was with the greatest difficulty he
could get them to rise when swimming on some
shallow water about twenty yards from him. One
in the County Museum was killed at Glanville's
Wootton, sixteen miles from the sea (J. C. Dale).

RED-NECKED PHALAKOPE. Plialaropus liyperloreus, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 315; Harting, p. 50; Dresser, vii. p. 597; See-
bohm, iii. p. 89; Ibis List, p. 164.

In Dorsetshire the Red-necked Phalarope is of
much rarer occurrence than the grey species, which
is rather curious, for the former breeds annually in
parts of Scotland and the Isles, and the latter does
not. On one occasion at least, namely, in the autumn
of 1847, the two species were found in company,
when two Red-necked Phalaropes were killed at
Lodmoor, near Weymouth, out of a flock of Grey
Phalaropes consisting of several hundred birds (W.
Thompson). It is not unlikely that in the autumn
of 1866, when so many Grey Phalaropes were met
with, there may have been some of the present
species among them, escaping notice from the simi-
larity of the winter plumage.

SNIPE. 89

WOODCOCK. Scolopax rusticula, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 320; Harting, p. 50; Dresser, vii. p. 615; See-
lolim, iii. 231 ; Ibis List, p. 165 ; Pulteney's List, p. 14.

The Woodcock is a regular winter visitant, a few
pairs annually remaining to breed in favourable
localities. A nest with four eggs was found in Clen-
ston Wood in May 1869. The singular habit which
this bird has of transporting its unfledged young to
and from its feeding-ground is now well ascertained.
See Mr. Harting's account of this interesting fact in
The Zoologist, 1879, p. 483, with a most character-
istic illustration by Joseph Wolf.

GREAT SNIPE. Gallinago major, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, iii. p. 336; Harting, p. 51 ; Dresser, vii. p. 631 ; Ibis
List, p. 165; Scolopax major, Seebohm, iii. p. 237; Pul-
teney's List, p. 14.

The Great Snipe is a rare and accidental visitant
in autumn, when on migration from its northern breed-
ing haunts to the Mediterranean and Africa, where
it winters. Pulteney expresses some uncertainty
about its occurrence in his time in Dorsetshire, but
states that one was shot on the Dorset side of the
Avon in the winter of 1793. A manuscript entry in
Mr. Dale's copy of " Pulteney's List," in his hand-
writing, runs thus : "I have seen two or three Great
or Solitary Snipes in Ilsington Wood." One was
shot at Duntishe Common, Buckland Newton (Cap-
tain Stuart Carr Glyn), one near Binegar Hall,

90 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Wareham, October u, 1880 (Mr. Oliver Farrer), one
at Worgret Farm (Mr. H. Garland), and one near
Wool, October 12, 1885 (Mr. Eustace Radclyffe).

COMMON SXIPE. Gallinago ccelestis (Frenzel).

Yarrell, iii. p. 342; Dresser, vii. p. 641; Ibis List, p. 166;
Gallinago media, Harting, p. 5 1 ; Scolopax gallinago, See-
bohm, iil p. 241 ; Pulteney's List, p. 14.

A winter visitant, many remaining on our moors
and heaths to breed. The " drumming " of the male
bird may be heard throughout the summer in the
breeding districts as it flies round at a good height,
every now and then descending obliquely with a
rapid vibration of wing and outspread tail-feathers.
There is much difference of opinion amongst orni-
thologists as to how the sound is produced. The
question has been fully discussed by Mr. Harting
in his " Essays on Sport and Natural History,"
pp. 285-294. He considers the sound to be without
doubt produced by a vibration of the primary feathers
of the wings, a conclusion in which he is supported
by such good authorities as Sir William Jardine,
Mr. John Hancock, and the late Dr. Saxby. I once
saw a Common Snipe, after flying about for some
time in its usual way, perch upon the highest
branch of an ash tree, which, being destitute of
leaves, afforded me a good opportunity of observing
the bird with my binoculars. After disturbing it
from its lofty position, it resumed its usual habit by
pitching down on the adjoining moor. The so-called

SNIPE. 91

" Sabine's Snipe " (Scolopax sabini, Vigors), of which
numerous specimens have been obtained from time
to time in Dorsetshire, chiefly about Poole and in
the valley of the Frome, between Wareham and
Dorchester, is now generally regarded as a variety
approaching to melanism of the Common Snipe.
Mr. T. M. Pike shot one at the mouth of the Frome
Eiver in August 1868. During the past summer
(1887) I flushed one of these birds twice in a
meadow adjoining the river between Chamberlayne's
and Hyde. Its flight was slow and somewhat heavy
in comparison with the usual flight of the Snipe,
doubtless because it was a young bird, like the
majority of specimens obtained.

JACK-SNIPE. Gallinago gallinula, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 351; Harting, p. 52; Dresser, vii. p. 653;
Scolopax gallinula, Seebohm, ii. p. 247 ; Pulteney's List,
p. 14; Limnocryptes gallinula, Ibis List, p. 167.

A regular winter visitant, but, unlike the Common
Snipe, never remains to breed.

DUNLIN. Tringa alpina, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 377 ; Harting, p. 49 ; Dresser, viii. p. 21 ; Seebohm,
iii. p. 184 ; Ibis List, p. 169 ; Pulteney's List, p. 15 ; Tringa
cinclus (winter plumage), Ibid., p. 15.

The Dunlin is a very common spring and autumn
visitant. It is especially abundant in the Poole
estuary, and found everywhere round the coast, in

92 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

every bay and inlet. Often seen in company with the
Ringed Plover. Although there is no proof of its
breeding in Dorsetshire, the late Mr. W. Thompson,
of Weymouth, thought it did so on the Chesil Bank ;
but this is extremely doubtful. Pulteney followed
Linneeus, Pennant, and Montagu in considering the
winter and summer plumage of the Dunlin to
indicate a distinct species, calling the bird in its
latter dress Tringa cinclus, the Purre.

LITTLE STINT. Tringa minuta, Leisler.

Yarrell, iii. p. 386 ; Harting, p. 49 ; Dresser ', viii. p. 29; Seebohm,
ill p. 204; Ibis List, p. 169.

Like the last named, the Little Stint is a spring
and autumn migrant. At the latter season it is
occasionally seen in company with Dunlins and
Sanderlings, whose habits are very similar. It is not
uncommon in the neighbourhood of Weymouth and
in the Poole estuary, also on the sandy portions of
the coast. It is seldom seen in large flocks, but
Mr. T. M. Pike once killed eight at a shot out of
a flock of about thirty at Poole. Messrs. Seebohm
and Harvie Browne discovered one of its breeding
haunts on an island at the mouth of the Petchora,
Western Siberia, July 22, 1873, until which date
no authenticated egg of this bird had been procured.
All honour to these enterprising ornithologists.

The distinguishing characters of this species and
the next have been clearly pointed out by Mr.
Harting in his "Birds of Middlesex," p. 199.

SANDPIPERS. 93

TEMMINCK'S STINT. Tringa temmincJci, (Leisler).

Yarrell, iii. p. 398 ; Harting, p. 29 ; Dresser, viii. p. 45 ; Seebohm,
iii. p. 217 ; Ibis List, p. 169.

A spring and autumn visitant, but by no means
common. One was shot at Weymouth, September 2,
1872, by Mr. J. Thompson.

CURLEW SANDPIPER. Tringa subarquata, (Guldenstadt).

Yarrell, iii. p. 403 ; Harting, p. 48 ; Dressei', viii. p. 59 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 180; Ibis List, p. 170.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not an infrequent visitor
in spring and autumn. Mr. T. M. Pike, who has
shot several in Poole harbour, is of opinion that it is
a much commoner bird than is generally supposed,
and that it often passes unnoticed amongst the flocks
of Dunlins with which it associates. It stands
higher on the legs than the Dunlin, has a longer
and more curved bill, and when flying may be dis-
tinguished by the white upper tail-coverts. I have
notes of two shot in Kimmeridge Bay; one at
Weymouth the same year (1873) in a plumage in-
termediate between summer and winter; one at
the same place the following year by Mr. Turner ;
one at Weymouth Backwater, the breast and under
parts dark chestnut with very little white ; six pro-
cured at one shot in Poole harbour in 1880; two
seen in Kimmeridge Bay in 1880; and one shot
in summer plumage in August 1886 (E. Hart).

94 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

PURPLE SANDPIPER. Tringa maritima, Brim.

Tringa striata, Yarrell, iii. p. 408 ; Dresser, viii. p. 69 ; Ibis
List, p. 171; Tringa maritima, Harting, p. 48 ; Seebohm,
iii. p. 192.

The Purple Sandpiper is a winter visitant, and
is more frequently met with on the rocky parts of
the coast. One in my collection was shot in Kim-
meridge Bay in December 1871; another was pro-
cured at Lyme Regis in 1881. In Poole harbour
a good many were seen in 1886; but Mr. T. M.
Pike, who, as a wild-fowl shooter, is so well acquainted
with the place, considers this unusual. Several have
been shot at Weymouth between the months of
August and November (W. Thompson).

KNOT. Tringa canutus, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 413; Harting, p. 48; Dresser, viii. p. 77;
Seebohm, iii. p. 174; Ibis List, p. 171; Pulteneys List,
P- IS-

The Knot is a spring and autumn visitant, a few
occasionally remaining throughout the winter. Pul-
teney refers to one shot in the neighbourhood of
Weymouth in the spring of 1795, and thirteen were
seen at Verwood, Cranborne, November 10, 1844
(W. Thompson) ; two shot at Poole, April 1859, and
one in summer plumage, May 1883 (E. Hart) ; two
killed near Weymouth, January 4, 1871; two in
December of the same year, and two in the County
Museum collection were obtained at Preston, Wey-
mouth, in May 1867.

SANDPIPERS. 95

SANDERLING. Calidris arenaria, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 420; Harting, p. 49; Dresser, viii. p. 101 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 221; Ibis List, p. 172; Charadrius calidris,
Pulteney's List, p. 16.

The Sanderling may be distinguished from every
other Sandpiper which visits our shores by its short
bill, and by the absence of a hind-toe, in which
peculiarity it resembles the Plovers. It is a spring
and autumn migrant, remaining occasionally during
the winter. One in my collection was shot in
Kimmeridge Bay in the winter of 1 860. It is usually
very common in autumn on the Poole sandbanks
and in the neighbourhood of Weymouth.

KUFF and REEVE. Machetes pugnax, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 426; Harting, p. 48; Dresser, viii. p. 87; Ibis
List, p. 17 ; Totanus pugnax, Seebolmi, iii. p. 113.

This remarkable bird, the only species of Sand-
piper in which the sexes differ conspicuously in size
and plumage, is with us a spring and autumn visi-
tant, though oftener seen at the latter season. I
have notes of a Eeeve shot at Poole in 1 840, and a
Ruff in winter plumage in November of the same
year ; occasionally killed at Weymouth and the
neighbourhood ; several in the year 1 848 ; a young
Ruff shot in the Roke water-meadows, Bere Regis,
September 1866; a Reeve shot at Poole 1869; a
Ruff in full plumage, August 15, 1872; a young
Ruff caught in a trap in a water-meadow at Mil-

96 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

borne St. Andrew's, December 20, 1878. Mr. T. M.
Pike informs me that when living at Wareham he
used occasionally to see a few of these birds in
autumn on the reed-beds at the mouth of the Frome.

COMMON SANDPIPER. ' Totanus hypoleucus, (L.)

Yon-ell, iii. p. 446; Dresser, viii. p. 143; Seebohm, iii. p. 117;
Tringoides hypoleucus, Harting, p. 48; Ibis List, p. 173;
Tringa hypoleucos, Pulteney's List, p. 15.

The Common Sandpiper, generally known as
" Summer Snipe," is a summer visitant, arriving
towards the end of April, and is generally distributed.
It is very abundant in the Poole and Weymouth
estuaries, as also along the shores at Portland ; but
direct evidence of its nesting in Dorsetshire is
wanting.

GREEN SANDPIPEE. Totanus ochropus, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 457; Harting, p. 47; Dresser, viii. p. 135; See-
bohm, iii. p. 126; Helodromas ochropus, Ibis List, p. 174;
Tringa ochropus, Pulteney's List, p. 15.

The Green Sandpiper is a spring and autumn
visitant, oftener seen on its autumn migration. It
frequents the banks of all our rivers and streams. I
have met with it in several parts of the county.
One in my collection was killed at Kimmeridge, and
another, an immature bird, was shot by Colonel Ham-
boro at Bere Regis, August 15, 1881. In September
as many as half a dozen might be seen together at

SANDPIPERS. 97

the top of the Wareham estuary, frequenting the
muddy ditches just inside the sea-wall, but very wary
and difficult to approach.

WOOD SANDPIPER. Totanus glareola, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, iii. p, 463 ; Harting, p. 47 ; Dresser, viii. p. 143 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 132 ; Ibis List, p. 175.

The Wood Sandpiper, like the last-named bird,
is a spring and autumn visitant, but much less
commonly met with. Dorsetshire is not in the
line of its migration to the Mediterranean, where
I have seen it in the winter. Three were killed
at Lodmoor near Weymouth, August 19, 1867 (W.
Thompson), and one at Kimmeridge in October
1868.

KEDSHAKK. Totanus calidris, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 469; Harting, p. 46; Dresser, viii. p. 157; See-
bohm, iii. p. 140; Ibis List, p. 176; Scolopax calidris,
Pulteney's List, p. 14.

This is one of our commonest wading birds, and
is resident all the year, frequenting the coast and
estuaries, and during the summer the river-banks
and marshes. It is abundant at Poole harbour,
Littlesea, Studland, and the neighbourhood of Wey-
mouth. Mr. T. M. Pike writes : — " The Redshank
has taken to breeding here for the last three or four
years, more particularly at the back of Littlesea. I
fancy this is a new departure. I never found them
nesting here in former years."

G

98 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

SPOTTED REDSHANK. Totanus fuscus, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 474; Harting, p. 46; Dresser, viii. p. 165; See-
bohm, iii. p. 145 ; Ibis List, p. 176.

The Spotted or Dusky Kedshank is a rare spring
and autumn visitant. One was shot at Weymouth,
September 7, 1853, and one at Lodmoor, September
i, 1856 (W. Thompson); a third was shot by Mr.
T. M. Pike at the junction of the Wareham river
with the Poole estuary, September 8, 1877.

GREENSHANK. Totanus canescens, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, iii. p. 483; Dresser, viii. p. 173; Ibis List, p. 177;
Totanus glottis, Harting, p. 46; Seebohm, iii. p. 149.

The Greenshank is a spring and autumn visitant,
and is occasionally found inland, but is never so
common as the Kedshank. It has been met with in
the neighbourhood of Weymouth and Poole ; but at
the latter place Mr. Pike considers it "rather rare,
occurring in autumn, but never in any numbers."
One was killed at Lytchett Maltravers in the autumn
of 1872.

BLACK-TAILED GOD WIT. Limosa melanura, Leisler.

Limosa segocephala, Yarrell, iii. p. 488 ; Dresser, viii. p. 211;
Ibis List, p. 178 ; Totanus melanurus, Seebohm, iii. p. 162 ;
Scolopax lapponica, Pulteney's List, p. 14.

The Black-tailed Godwit in this county is a very
uncommon visitant in spring and autumn. Pulteney

GOD WITS. 99

writes : — " This rare bird appears only now and then
in England ; l one was shot in Dorsetshire, and the
specimen was in the collection of Marmaduke Tun-
stall (Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. i. p. 128) ; " two killed
at one shot on Cosmore Common, Revel's Inn (more
than twenty miles inland), March 1827 (J. C. Dale) ;
one shot at Wareham, 1 840 ; two seen on Smallmouth
Sands, Weymouth, in 1851 ; two shot at Gussage
All Saints (more than twenty miles inland), in 1870
(C. R. W. Waldy) ; one seen at Littlesea, Studland,
May 1882 ; and one in the possession of Mr. Garland
of Worgret Farm, shot some years ago on the Ware-
ham river.

BAK-TAILED GODWIT. Limosa lapponica, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 494; Harting, p. 53; Dresser, viii. p. 203; Ibis
List, p. 177 ; Totanus rufus, Seebohm, iii. p. 156 ; Scolopax
novoboracensis, Pulteney's List, p. 14.

The Bar-tailed Godwit is a spring and autumn
visitant, and a much commoner species than the
preceding. Mr. T. M. Pike has seen more than fifty
in a flock at Poole ; and in May 1876 shot a pair
there in full breeding plumage. Two frequented the
Abbotsbury decoy during the summer of 1860, but

1 It is curious that Pulteney( was seemingly unaware that at the
period at which he wrote the Black-tailed Godwit was to be found
breeding regularly in the marshes of the eastern counties. Although
Montagu, writing in 1813 (the date of the Supplement to his "Orni-
thological Dictionary "), remarked that in a late tour through Lincoln-
shire no trace could be found of the Godwit's breeding in the fens of
that county, its extinction as a breeding species in Norfolk, according
to Mr. Stevenson (" Birds of Norfolk," vol. ii. p. 249), was not effected
until between the years 1829 and 1835.

ioo THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

they were not known to have nested there. Mr.
Thompson, from whom I received this information,
added that he saw a Bar-tailed Godwit there in Sep-
tember of the same year, which was probably one of
the two above mentioned. Several were seen in
Kimmeridge Bay during the winter of 1859; and
four were shot on the Wareham river, and one at
Poole, in the winter of 1872-73.

CURLEW. Numenius arquata, L.

Yarrett, iii. p. 499 ; Hurting, p. 53 ; Dresser, viii. p. 243 ;
Seebohm, iii. p. 94; Ibis List, p. 179; Scolopax arquata,
Pultemy's List, p. 14.

The Curlew is common in the Poole estuary, and
breeds in that neighbourhood. Mr. Pike once killed
twenty at a shot on the plain in Littlesea. An egg
(one of four) was sent me, May 2, 1873, containing a
mature chick, which is now in the County Museum
collection, the egg being in the possession of Professor
Newton. Subsequently (May 2, 1877), in company
with Professor Newton and his brother Sir Edward
Newton, we found a nest in which the brood had been
recently hatched, and which the keeper, who knew of
it, told us contained four eggs, and that the brood went
off safely. An interesting account of the breeding of
the Curlew in Dorsetshire is given by Mrs. Panton
in her pleasantly written " Sketches in Black and
White," published in 1882 (pp. 63-64) ; an account
subsequently confirmed by Professor Newton in
The Field of August 19, 1882. This bird sometimes
wanders inland a considerable distance from the

WHIMBREL. 1 01

coast. On November 10, 1887, a flock of fifteen
was seen in a turnip-field at Houghton.

WHIMBEEL. Numenius phceopus, (L.)

Yarrett, iii. p. 507; Harting, p. 53; Dresser, viii. p. 227;
Seebohm, iii. p. 100; Ibis List, p. 179; Scolopax phseopus,
Pulteney's List, p. 14.

The Whimbrel is a spring and autumn visitant.
It is smaller in size than the Curlew, which it other-
wise resembles, and on close inspection it may be
further distinguished by the two dark bars on the
head, which in the Curlew are absent. This bird
appears to have benefited by the Wild Birds Pro-
tection Act, which prohibits shooting during the
spring migration, and of late years it has appeared
in increased numbers. It arrives during the last
week of April, and becomes more and more nume-
rous till the second week of May, when it leaves for
its nesting haunts. At this time of the year Mr.
Pike has seen as many as two hundred collected on
the sandy shores of Littlesea. After the breeding
season, namely, about the end of August or begin-
ning of September, it reappears on the coast, and
young as well as old birds may then be found in
some numbers on the mud-flats. The local name
for this bird is " Chickerel." Early in June 1882
a small flock appeared at Winterbourne Kingston.
Two were shot at Poole in the spring of 1884 ; one at
Swyre in the spring of 1 885 ; one seen on the Ware-
ham river, August 15, 1885 ; and four in a turnip-
field on North Hill, Steple, Purbeck, May 6, 1887.

io2 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

OKDEK GAVI^E.
FAM. LARID^E.

BLACK TERN. Hydrochelidon nigra, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 516; Dresser, viii. p. 327; Ibis List, p. 185;
Sterna fissipes, Harting, p. 76; Sterna nigra, Seebohm, iii.
p. 254; Sterna neevia, Pulteney's List, p. 18.

The Black Tern is a spring and autumn visitant,
but very uncertain in its appearance. It is one of
the many species which have ceased to breed in
these islands through the disturbance it has expe-
rienced, and the drainage and reclamation of its
breeding haunts. It is occasionally, but rarely, seen
in the Poole estuary, Littlesea, and the neighbour-
hood of Weymouth. According to the late Mr.
Thompson, several have been killed at Lodmoor;
one at Ensbury, July 1839; and one at Frampton
Court, Dorchester, in July 1871 (both these last-
named stations being inland).

WHITE- WINGED BLACK TERN. Hydrochelidon leucoptera,

(Schinz).

Yarrell, iii. p. 522; Dresser, viii. p. 321; Ibis List, p. 185;
Sterna leucoptera, Harting, p. 169; Seebohm, iii. p. 257.

The White-winged Black Tern is a rare and
accidental visitant. According to Mr. Hart of
Christchurch, several have been seen on the Hamp-
shire and Dorsetshire coasts in May and June, one

TERNS. 103

of which is preserved in the collection of Sir John
Crewe. One was shot in Poole harbour in the month
of June by Mr. T. M. Pike.

WHISKERED TERN. Hydroclielidon hybrida, Pallas.

Yarrell, iii. p. 527; Dresser, viii. p. 315; Ibis List, p. 184;
Sterna hybrida, Harting, p. 168; Seebohm, iii. p. 260.

The Whiskered Tern is another rare and accidental
visitant, only five instances having been recorded of
its occurrence in Great Britain. One of these was
shot in August 1836 at Lyme Regis (Yarrell). Its
principal breeding-places are the swamps of Anda-
lusia, the delta of the Rhine, and the marshes of
the Upper Danube, Hungary, and of the Dnieper
in South- West Russia.

CASPIAN TERN. Sterna caspia, Pallas.

Yarrell, iii. p. 536; Harting, p. 167; Dresser, viii. p. 289;
Seebohm, iii. p. 268; Ibis List, p. 182.

The Caspian Tern, like the two last-named species,
is an accidental straggler. Two were shot on the
Weymouth backwater in the autumn of 1848 (W.
Thompson), one in Poole harbour in 1869 (E. Hart),
and one in the Wareham river in July 1872 (T. M.
Pike). It breeds on the shores of the Mediterranean
and Black Seas ; on the island of Sylt, and various
localities in the basin of the Baltic.

104 . THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

SANDWICH TERN. Sterna cantiaca, Gmelin.

Yarrell, iii. p. 540; Harting, p. 76; Dresser, viii. p. 301;
Seebohm, iii. p. 272 ; Ibis List, p. 183.

The Sandwich Tern is a spring and autumn
visitant, but does not breed with us, though pos-
sibly it may have done so formerly, as in Kent and
Sussex. Mr. Pike informs me that he always sees
some in April on the buoys of the Bar Channel at
Poole, and that they return in August. Mr. Thompson
says several are seen in the neighbourhood of Wey-
mouth during the months of April, September, and
October; one shot at Poole in 1839 ; a female bird
shot on the Chesil Bank had well-developed eggs
in the ovary, May 12, 1855; one was sn°t on the
Wareham river by Mr. T. M. Pike, July 1872 ; two
were procured in Poole harbour, September 12, 1877,
and another in September 1885. Several have been
seen from time to time at Christchurch in the months
of April and September.

EOSEATE TERN. Sterna dougdli, Montagu.

Yarrell, iii. p. 544; Harting, p. 76; Dresser, viii. p. 273;
Seebohm, iii. p. 277 ; Ibis List, p. 181.

The Koseate Tern is a rare summer visitant. It
breeds on some of the islands off the north-west
coast of France ; formerly also off the coasts of
Lancashire and Northumberland, and possibly in
the Hebrides. Mr. Thompson noted its occurrence
at Poole in 1841 ; and on one occasion, before the

TERNS. 105

" Sea-Birds Preservation Act" was passed, Mr. Eolls
killed no less than seven at one shot at Weymouth.
An immature bird, shot at Poole in the autumn of
1874, is in the collection of Mr. Pike.

C OMMON TEEN. Sterna fluviatilis, Naumaun.

Yarrell, iii. p. 549; Harting, p. 75; Dresser, viii. p. 263; His
List, p. 1 80 ; Sterna hirundo, Seebohm, iii. p. 280 ; Pulteney's
List, p. 1 8.

A common summer visitant, frequenting the
Chesil Bank, where it breeds annually. It may be
seen following the mackerel-nets as they are being
brought ashore, at one moment hovering overhead,
and the next plunging with closed wings into the
sea to capture some small fish which the encircling
net has brought within view. Until recently this
bird was considered to be the Sterna hirundo of
Linnseus ; but the species described by him under
that name is evidently the Arctic Tern, as may be
inferred from his description of the bill, which in the
Common Tern has a dark tip, but in the Arctic Tern
is red throughout its entire length.

ARCTIC TEEN. Sterna macrura, Naumann.

Yarrell, iii. p. 553; Ibis List, p. 180; Sterna hirundo, Harting,
p. 76; Dresser, viii. p. 255; Sterna arctica, Seebohm, iii.
p. 284.

The Arctic Tern visits us in spring and autumn,
but is much less numerous than the Common Tern,
and does not breed in Dorsetshire. A great number

106 'THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

appeared in Poole harbour in October 1883 after
a severe gale (E. Hart).

LESSER TEEN. Sterna minuta, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 558; Harting, p. 76; Dresser, viii. p 279;
Seebohm, iii. p. 289; Ibis List, p. 181; Pulteney's List,
p. 1 8.

A regular summer visitant, frequently met with
on the coast. Breakwater Point, at the mouth of
Poole, is a favourite resort of this species, but it does
not breed there. Mr. Thompson knew of several which
had been shot in the neighbourhood of Weymouth
in the months of May, July, and October. It breeds
on the Chesil Bank, at Langton Herring, and
Abbotsbury with the Common Tern. One in my
collection was shot in Kimmeridge Bay ; another in
Poole harbour in the spring of 1873.

LITTLE GULL. Larus minutus, Pallas.

Yarrell, iii. p. 589; Harting, p. 76; Dresser, viii. p. 373;
Seebohm, iii. p. 301 ; Ibis List, p. 191.

The Little Gull is rather a rare winter visitant.
Its native home seems to be the southern parts of
Russia and Siberia and the shores of the Caspian.
A specimen in Viscount Portman's collection was
shot at Bryanston, September 21, 1 8 1 8 ; two were
killed at Weymouth in 1847; one (a male) Decem-
ber 22, 1861, and one March 22, 1862; Mr. Pike
obtained two in Studland Bay in 1872, one adult,
the other immature.

GULLS. 107

BLACK-HEADED GULL. Larva ridibundus, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 594; Harting, p. 77; Dresser, viii. p. 357;
Seebohm, iii. p. 310; Ibis List, p. 191; Pultemy's List,
p. 1 8.

Resident, and has become more numerous since
the passing of the Sea Birds Preservation Act, since
which date a few breeding colonies have been estab-
lished, as at Rempstone and Studland Heath. There
has been also a colony for some years on a pond
belonging to Mr. Calcraft, at Grove, near Poole.
The birds here have increased to such an extent that
a great many commenced nesting on some small
rushy islands at the head of South Bay, an out-of-
the-way part of the harbour towards Corfe Castle.
A colony on Littlesea was driven away by a dry
summer. This species occasionally resorts to the
downs, and wanders far inland in the winter and
spring during stormy weather ; but, unlike the Her-
ring Gull, soon leaves again. In the autumn, after
the breeding season, it is very abundant on the Poole
estuary and on Littlesea.

COMMON GULL. Larus canus, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 613; Harting, p. 77; Dresser, viii. p. 381;
Seebohm, iii. p. 316; Ibis List, p. 189; Pulteney's List,
p. 1 8.

An autumn and winter visitant in some numbers
from the north. Specimens have frequently been
shot in Poole harbour and in the neighbourhood
of Weymouth.

io8 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

HERRING GULL. Larus argentatus, Gmelin.

Yarrell, iii. p. 6t8; Harting, p. 77; Dresser, viii. p. 399;
Seebohm, iii. p. 326; Ibis List, p. 188; Lams fuscus,
Pulteney's List, p. 18.

The Herring Gull is the most abundant and
generally distributed of the genus. It breeds in
every available locality on the chalk, oolite, and
shale cliffs on the coast. It wanders inland in large
numbers to great distances, remaining there as late
as April and May. For some account of its nesting
habits as observed on the Dorsetshire coast, see The
Zoologist, 1865, p. 9677.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Larus fuscus, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 624; Harting, p. 77; Dresser, viii. p. 421;
Seebohm, iii. p. 319; Ibis List, p. 189; Pultenei/s List,
p. 18.

Frequently seen on the coast, although it is not
known to have nested here. It may very likely breed
in the Portland and Purbeck Cliffs, and possibly
also at Whitenore ; but of this I have no authentic
record. See TJie Zoologist, 1865, p. 9677.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. Larus marinus, L.

Yarrell, iii. p. 631; Harting, p. 77; Dresser, viii. p. 427;
Seebohm, iii. p. 323; Ibis List, p. 189; Larus neevius
(young), Pulteney's List, p. 18.

Compared with the Herring Gull, this is a much
scarcer bird in the breeding season on the rocky cliffs

GULLS. 109

of St. Alban's Head and Gad Cliff, although during
the autumn and winter its numbers are increased by
arrivals from other breeding-stations. Most of the
gulls leave the harbours in the evening, but this
species remains on the mud-flats all night. Stokes,
a professional gunner at Poole, informed Mr. Pike
that he once shot at a lot with his big gun, mistaking
them for geese at night, and killed fourteen. J. E.
Stainer, of Swanage, informs me that as many as
fifty have been seen together flying over Peverell
Point in the autumn.

GLAUCOUS GULL. Lams glaucus, Fabricius.

Yarrell, iii. p. 636; Harting, p. 77; Dresser, viii. p. 433;
Seebohm, iii. p. 330; Ibis List, p. 187.

A rare winter visitant, occasionally found wander-
ing with other gulls. Yarrell mentions its occurrence
at JWeymouth. One passed through Mr. Kolls'
hands which had^ been shot in Weymouth Bay;
another was killed at Lodmoor, January 2, 1870;
and a third in Poole harbour is in the possession of
Mr. T. M. Pike.

KITTIWAKE. Rissa tridadyla, (L.)

Yarrell, iii. p. 650; Dresser, viii. p. 447; Ibis List, p. 187;
Larus tridactylus, Harting, p. 77 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 340
Larus (tridactylus) rissa, Pulteney's List, p. 1 8.

During the autumn and winter the Kittiwake is
very common, following the Sprats, at which time it
may be seen in hundreds between Christchurch beach

i io THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

and Old Harry. It does not breed on our coast, nor
does it breed in the Isle of Wight (see The Zoologist,
1 86 1, p. 7648). It occasionally comes inland in large
flocks during very stormy weather, though never re-
maining long, as the Herring Gull does. A consider-
able number were observed on Charlton Down on
December i, 1886, after a hurricane. One was shot
on Whatcombe Down in March 1871 ; another on
Kingston Down in the spring of 1873 ; a third, in the
possession of Mr. Pope, postmaster at Milborne St.
Andrew's, was shot on the lake at Milton Abbey in
the autumn of 1885, after having been there for
several days.

IYOEY GULL. Pagopliila eburnea, (Phipps).

Yarrell, iii p. 656; Dresser, viii. p. 349; Ibis List, p. 186;
Larus eburneus, Harting, p. 174; Seebohm, iii. p. 337.

An extremely rare winter visitant. One was shot
off Preston beach, Weymouth, in 1843, and another
at Lodmoor, in the winter of 1850. In 1857, one
which appeared with a flock of Herring Gulls in
Portland Koads was shot by Mr. H. Groves, and
another was killed in Weymouth Bay in Nov. 1860.
In 1884 one which had been caught in a trap on
the Fleet, Abbotsbury, was presented to the County
Museum by the Rev. C. Torkington. A specimen
in Mr. Pike's collection purchased at a sale in Stud-
land out of a collection of local birds, is believed to
have been shot in that neighbourhood.

GULLS. m

GREAT SKUA. Stercorarius catarrhactes, (L.)

Yarrett, iii. p. 663 ; Dresser, viii. p. 457 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 346 ;
Ibis List, p. 194 ; Lestris catarractes, Harting, p. 78.

An occasional spring and autumn visitant. Several
have been shot near Weymouth. One was seen at
Abbotsbury in the autumn of 1 88 1 ; another, in the
possession of Mr. Robert Burns of Wimborne, was
shot in Poole harbour, iQth Nov. 1887, amongst a lot
of Wigeon, one of which it had just struck down.

POMATORHINE SKUA. Stercorarius pomatorhinus,
Temminck.

Tarrell, iii. p. 668; Dresser, viii. p. 463; Ibis List, p. 194;
Lestris pomatorhinus, Harting, p. 78 ; Stercorarius poma-
rinus, Seebohm, iii. p. 349.

Like the last named, an occasional spring and
autumn visitant. One was killed on the Weymouth
Backwater, Sept. 23, 1868; another, in the posses-
sion of Mr. Eoper Weston, was also shot near
Weymouth ; and an immature bird was obtained in
Weymouth Roads, Oct. 14, 1870. A flock appeared
in Poole harbour Oct. 16, 1879, and one was shot.

RICHARDSON'S SKUA. Stercoi-arius crepidatus, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, iii. p. 674; Dresser, viii. p. 471; Ibis List, p. 195;
Stercorarius Richardsoni, Seebohm, iii. p. 353; Lestris
parasiticus, Harting, p. 78.

An occasional visitant on migration, and more
common than either of the two preceding species.

ii2 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

I have notes of one killed on the Chesil Bank in
February 1855 ; another at Chickrell the same year;
a third on the Wareham river in 1868 ; and a fourth
at Weymouth in September 1870.

ORDEK TUBINARES.

FAM. PEOCELLARIID^;.

FULMAR. Fulmarus glatialis, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. i ; Harling, p. 79 ; Dresser, viii. p. 535 ;
Seebohm, iii. p. 430 ; Ibis List, p. 199.

The Fulmar with us is a rare winter visitant, as
it is to other southern counties. Its habits being
strictly oceanic, it seldom approaches land except at
its breeding stations. One was shot between Bexing-
ton and Abbotsbury (R. B. Roe) ; and another was
procured in Poole harbour, September 5, 1871.

GREAT SHEARWATER. Puffinus major, Faber.

Yarrell, iv. p. 12; Harting, p. 79; Dresser, viii. p. 527;
Seebohm, iii. p. 417 ; Ibis List, p. 198 ; Procellaria puffinus,
Pulteney's List, p. 19.

The Great Shearwater is not an tmfrequent visitant
in autumn to the coasts of Devon and Dorset. One
was shot in Swanage Bay in the summer of 1868;
another was caught alive in Poole harbour, June 7,
1877. A third seen in Durleston Bay, Swanage, on

SHEARWATERS. 113

June 12, 1885, was very tame, and allowed itself
to be approached several times ; the following day it
was seen leisurely flying over Swanage Bay.

MANX SHEARWATER. Puffinus anglorum, (Temm.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 21; Hart ing, p. 79; Di-esser, viii. p. 517;
Seebohm, iii. p. 420 ; Ibis List, p. 197.

The Manx Shearwater is a spring and autumn
visitant, and more frequently observed on our coast
than the other species of the genus. Mr. Pike states
that after the first heavy gales in autumn it is some-
times numerous in Poole Bay. On July 23, 1852,
an immature bird was caught while asleep on the water
in Portland Roads. Examples have frequently been
met with in Kimmeridge Bay and off St. Alban's
Head. One was shot at Swanage, April 5, 1886.
The Portland fishermen call it the " Mackerel Cock,"
and assert that it remains concealed inland during
the day, and feeds only at twilight and dawn.

DUSKY SHEARWATER. Puffinus obscurus, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, iv. p. 27; Hartiny, p. 176; Dresser, viii. p. 511;
Seebohm, iii. p. 425 ; Ibis List, p. 198.

A rare spring visitant. I have only heard of one
having been procured in this county. This, as I
am informed by Mr. E. Hart, was caught alive in
Poole harbour, June 8, 1877.

ii4 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

STOKM PETEEL. Procellaria pelagica, L.

Yarrett, iv. p. 42 ; Hart Ing, p. 80 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 438 ; Ibis
List, p. 196 ; Pulteney's List, p. 19 ; Thalassidroma pelagica,
Dresser, viii. p. 491.

An oceanic species, occasionally driven inland by
rough weather. Mr. Pike states that in August and
September, after a strong breeze, he has often seen
a dozen or twenty together to the westward of
Portland. Several have been picked up dead in
various parts of the county, sometimes at a great
distance from the sea. One was shot in March 1873
at Melbury, upwards of eighteen miles inland. Many
were washed ashore on the Chesil Bank, November
26, 1872, when the Adelaide went ashore. One of
these was knocked down by a boy with his cap.

FOKK-TAILED PETREL. Cymochorea leucorrhoa, (VieiUot).

Yarrell, iv. p. 37; Procellaria leachii, Harting, p. 80; Seebohm,
iii. p. 443 ; Thalassidroma leucorrhoa, Dresser, viii. p. 497 ;
Procellaria leucorrhoa, Ibis List, p. 196.

Like the last-named, an oceanic species, occasion-
ally met with inland, or picked up dead at a distance
from the sea after stormy weather. The late Mr.
W. Thompson had three brought to him in December
1856, which had been picked up near Weymouth.
Another was found on the Chesil Bank, November
21, 1871 ; and a third on Preston Beach, November
25, 1872, after a gale from the south-west. During
the same gale one was found dead on Whatcombe

PETRELS. 115

Down, sixteen miles inland. One in Mr. Pike's col-
lection was found dead on Rockley Railway Bridge
in the autumn of 1876. In January 1882 one
was obtained in Clenston Wood, Whatcombe, and
another was found about the same date at Char-
mouth.

ORDER PYGOPODES.

FAM. ALCID^E.

•

RAZOR-BILL. Alca torda, L.

Tarrell, iv. p. 55; Harting, p. 70; Ih'ess&r, viii. p. 557;
Seebohm, iii. p. 375 ; Ibis List, p. 205 ; Pulteney's List,
p. 17.

During the breeding season the Razor-Bill fre-
quents our coast in great numbers ; at other times
of the year it remains some distance out at sea. It
occasionally suffers great privations through stormy
weather, and the disturbed state of the sea-bed, by
which the fish on which it feeds are either driven
away or obscured from view. In February 1872 the
Chesil Bank was strewn with their dead bodies.
The late Mr. Thompson counted forty-one lying
dead on Preston Beach, and not a Guillemot (whose
habits are similar) was among them. The following
winter and that of 1881-82 were equally disastrous ;
hundreds were then cast ashore on all parts of the
coast. The Alca pica of Pulteney, believed by him
to be distinct, is the young of the present species.

n6 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

COMMON GUILLEMOT. U-ria troile, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 69; Harting, p. 74; Alca troile, Dresser, viii.
p. 567; Seebohm, iii. p. 388; Lomvia troile, Ibis List,
p. 206; Colymbus troile, Pulteney's List, p. 17.

During the breeding season the Common Guille-
mot resorts to our cliffs in some numbers, depositing
a single egg upon a ledge of the rock, without any
attempt at a nest. After the breeding season both
old and young go out to sea, and are not seen in the
cliffs during the winter. The Ringed or Bridled
Guillemot, which has a white line round and behind
the eye, once thought to be a distinct species, is now
considered to be only a variety of Uria troile. Two
were picked up after a storm in Christchurch Bay,
with a considerable number of the ordinary type.

A singular variety of this bird, having the bill and
legs yelloiv, was shot by Mr. T. M. Pike near Poole,
November 29, 1876 (Zoologist, 1877, p. 57).

BLACK GUILLEMOT. Uria grylle, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 81 ; Harting, p. 74; Dresser, viii. p. 581 ; Ibis
List, p. 207 ; Alca grylle, Seebohm, iii. p. 383 ; Colymbus
grylle, Pulteneijs List, p. 1 7.

The Black Guillemot, as Yarrell states, is occa-
sionally procured on the coast of Dorsetshire, but
must be regarded as a rare visitor. Mr. H. Groves
has one which was shot in Weymouth Bay in the
winter of 1855. Another was killed at Swanage
Bay in January 1862 (E. Hart), and a third in
Weymouth Bay, December 10, 1874. Since then,

AUKS. 117

as I am informed by Mr. Pike, one in the collec-
tion of Mr. Bury, of Branksome Tower, was shot by
him off Christchurch Beach.

LITTLE AUK. Mergulwt alle, (L)

Yarrell, iv. p. 85; Dresser, viii. p. 591; Ibis List, p. 208''
Alca alle, Harting, p. 7 1 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 380 ; Alca alca
(error for alle), Pulteney's List, p. 1 7.

Like the last-named, a winter visitant, but of more
frequent occurrence. Pulteney notices one that was
shot at Child Okeford. After an experience of many
years, Mr. Rolls, the bird-staffer at Weymouth, stated
that not more than seven specimens of this bird had
passed through his hands. All had been picked
up in the neighbourhood of Weymouth. One was
shot on the Wareham river in 1860; another near
the Portland Ferry-bridge, January 8, 1870. During
the same month seven were seen in the Portland
Roads, the wind at the time blowing a hurricane,
which lasted a week. In the spring of 1873, one
was shot in Poole harbour during a gale, and another
was picked up dead on Damary Farm, Blandford,
twenty miles from the sea.

PUFFIN. Fratercula arctica, (L.)

Tarrell, iv. p. 90 ; Harting, p. 70 ; Dresser, viii. p. 599 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 364 ; Ibis List, p. 208 ; Alca arctica, Pulteney's
List, p. 17.

The Puffin appears almost to a day during the last
week in March, and breeds in our cliffs in company

n8 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

with Guillemots and Kazor-Bills. During the nesting
season it may be seen sporting about, diving, floating,
and skimming over the water with the greatest
activity. As soon as the young are sufficiently strong
the parents take them off to sea, and after July none
are to be seen. Occasionally a few stragglers are
left behind until the autumn, and more rarely a
solitary bird or two may be met with in winter ; but
these probably are birds which have come to us from
breeding stations farther north. I have notes of
one shot in Poole harbour, February 3, 1847, and
January 26, 1883 (E. Hart); one at Swanage after
its autumn moult (J. E. Stainer). Thirty or more,
which had not been long dead, were thrown upon
the Chesil Bank after a storm in January.

It is a curious fact that the Puffin not only moults
its feathers in autumn, but also sheds portions of
its bill, whereby the shape of the bill is materially
altered. An interesting account of this singular
change, illustrated with a coloured plate, will be
found in The Zoologist for 1878, p. 233. It was
originally investigated and explained by Dr. Louis
Bureau (Bull. Soc. Zool. de France, 1878), but
English ornithologists had long before noticed an
alteration in the shape of the Puffin's bill in summer
and winter (Zool., 1862, p. 8003, and 1863, p. 8331) ;
and, as pointed out by Mr. Harting, some such
change as that which is now known to take place
was hinted at so long ago as 1804, by Bingley in his
"Tour in North. Wales" (vol. i. p. 354), in his
account of the Puffin on the island of Priestholme.

DIVERS. 119

FAM. COLYMBID^E.

GEEAT NORTHERN DIVER. Colymbus glatialis, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 96 ; Harting, p. 68 ; Dresser, viii. p. 609 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 402 ; Ibis List, p. 201 ; Colymbus immer
(young), Pulteney's List, p. 17.

A winter visitant, frequenting the coasts more or
less commonly from October to May.

They appear regularly in Poole Bay in October,
and Mr. Pike informs me that in May he has often
seen them in full summer plumage, sometimes as
many as eight or ten in a lot, as if making their way
to their northern breeding-haunts.

In the spring of 1862, one which visited a piece
of enclosed water, through the protecting care of
Lord Digby stayed several weeks, and left unharmed.
Pulteney notices one taken on Chettle Down (a dis-
tance of twenty miles from the sea). On the rocky
shores of Kimmeridge Bay small parties are often
seen in the winter. A fine male in full plumage
was shot at Bexington, Abbotsbury, where another
was shot in 1836, and is preserved in the collection
of Viscount Portman. Several in summer plumage
were killed at Poole in the early spring of 1883.
"East Looe, a boat-channel in Poole harbour close
to the main beach, is a favourite fishing-ground of
these divers, and in 1883 hardly a day passed from
October to March without one or two being visible
in it " (T. M. Pike). Colymbus immer, which Pul-
teney, in common with Montagu and Pennant, con-

120 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

sidered to be a distinct species, is merely the Great
Northern Diver in immature plumage.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER. Colymbus arcticus, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 105; Harting, p. 69; Dresser, viii. p. 615;
Seebohm, iii. p. 407 ; Ibis List, p. 201.

The Black -Throated Diver, although the least
common of the Divers in point of numbers, appears
almost every winter at Weymouth and Poole, but
rarely in the breeding plumage. I have notes of its
occurrence also at Charmouth, and in Studland Bay.
Four were shot at Poole during the winter of 1883,
one of which had the black throat well developed.

RED-THROATED DIVER. Colymbus septenirionalis, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 112; Harting, p. 69; Dresser, viii. p. 621;
Seebohm, iii. p. 412; Ibis List, p. 202; Pulteney's List,
p. 17.

A common winter visitant along the coast. It
is known as the " Sprat Loon," from the fact of
its accompanying or following the shoals of Sprats
in October. Pulteney mentions one shot at Wey-
mouth after a storm in 1795, and Colonel Hawker
notices the species as occurring in Dorsetshire. One
with the red throat well developed was picked up
dead in a ride of Clenston Wood, Whatcombe, seven-
teen miles from the sea, in the winter of 1873, after
a gale ; and another, in breeding plumage, was shot
in Studland Bay, September 22, 1877. Mr. Pike
states that it is always possible to procure a specimen

GREBES. i2i

with the red throat well developed in October, and
that he has sometimes shot them in this state of
plumage with the wing-feathers moulting to such an
extent that the birds were incapable of flight. This
shows that they must swim down the coast from
their northern breeding haunts, or else that, like the
Penguins, they moult very rapidly.

FAM. PODICIPEDID.E.
GREAT-CRESTED GREBE. Podiceps cristatus, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 117 ; Harting, p. 69 ; Dresser, viii. p. 629 ; Seebohm,
iii. p. 455 ; Ibis List, p. 202.

As a winter visitor the Great-Crested Grebe is not
uncommon in the Portland Koads and at Weymouth.
Mr. Pike saw " flocks " of more than twenty together
off the Poole coast in November 1882. After
Christmas they apparently go farther south, as

122 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

they are not so numerous then. They reappear in
the spring, and stay about the harbours sometimes
late enough to assume the full breeding plumage.
Two were seen in Poole harbour in March 1873, in
summer plumage with well-developed crests. Not-
withstanding their short and narrow wings they can
fly well, and often do so to escape from a sailing
boat. If allowed to remain unmolested in the
spring, it is not unlikely that some would stay to
breed with us ; but their appearance is too striking
to escape observation.

RED-NECKED GREBE. Podiceps griseigena, Boddaert.

Yarrell, iv. p. 124; Dresser, viii. p. 639; Ibis List, p. 203;
Podiceps rubricollis, Harting, p. 69 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 459.

The Red-Necked Grebe occurs only as a winter
visitant, and never in such numbers as the last-
named. Three were killed in Portland Roads, and
one near the Portland Ferry-bridge in October 1850,
and a young bird of this species was shot at Wey-
mouth, February 13, 1852. Two shot by Mr. Pike
in the winter of 1882 had the red colour of the neck
well advanced. He states that it is not unfrequently
to be met with in the neighbourhood of Poole, and
he once shot one in Studland Bay in August which
displayed the red throat. In December 1882 one
was caught alive on the Wareham river, and another
shot in Studland Bay.

GREBES. 123

SCLAVONIAN GREBE. Podiceps aurihts, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 128; Dresser, viil p. 645; Ibis List, p. 203;
Podiceps cornutus, Ilarting, p. 69 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 462.

Next to the Little Grebe, the Sclavonian Grebe is
the commonest of the genus, especially in salt water.
It is a frequent winter visitant, rarely met with late
enough in spring to have assumed its characteristic
breeding-plumage. One was caught on the ice in
a pond at Kimmeridge during the severe winter of
1841 ; another was shot at Weymouth, February 15,
1870; a third in Poole harbour in mature plumage
in March 1872; and a fourth in Studland Bay in
the winter of 1882. According to Mr. Pike, the
Sclavonian and Eared Grebes could be seen almost
at any time in the winter of 1882 on the shoal
waters of Studland Bay.

EARED GREBE. Podiceps nigricottis, C. L. Brekm.

»

Yarrell, iv. p. 133 ; Dresser, viii. p. 651 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 465 ;
Ibis List, p. 204; Podiceps auritus, Harting, p. 70.

Rarer than the last-named, the Eared Grebe is a
winter visitant, and the rarest of the genus on our
coast. Yarrell says that it "has been killed in
Dorsetshire." One was shot by Lord Clifton in the
Portland Roads, April 8, 1876, and Mr. Pike has
met with it in Poole harbour, where it has once or
twice been observed in summer plumage.

i24 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

LITTLE GREBE. Podicep* flum'atilis, (Tunstall).

Yairell, iv. p. 137; Dresser, viii. p. 659; Podiceps minor,
Hurting, p. 70 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 468 ; Tachybaptes fluviatilis,
Ibis List, p. 204; Colymbus atiritus /3, Pulteney's List,
p. 17.

The Little Grebe, "Dabchick," and "Didapper,"
the smallest of the genus, frequents our rivers and
ponds, moving towards the sea as winter approaches.
It breeds at Littlesea and on the Wareham river.
During severe weather these little birds get frozen
out of the rivers, and then collect in numbers about
the unfrozen channels of the harbours, and round
the shores of Studland Bay.

[PIED-BILLED GKEBE. Podilymlus podiceps, (L.)

Proc. Zool. Soc., 1881, p. 7 J4 ; Zoologist, 1881, p. 334; Ibis
List, p. 205.

At a meeting of the Zoological Society in June
1 88 1, an immature specimen of this American bird
was exhibited by Mr. R. B. Sharpe (P. Z. S., 1881,
p. 734) as having occurred the previous winter at
Radipole, near Weymouth ; but for reasons stated
(Zoologist, 1 88 1, p. 334) this is extremely doubtful.
The species is common in North, Central, and South
America, but has not been found in Europe. More-
over, the immature appearance of the specimen in
question seemed to preclude the possibility of its
having reached this country otherwise than in a
preserved state.]

CORMORANTS. 125

ORDER STEGANOPODES.

FAM. PELECANID^E.

COKMOEANT. Phalacrocorax carlo, (L.)

Yanell, iv. p. 143; Dresser, vi. p. i§i; Seebohm, in. p. 650;
Ibis List, p. 105 ; Graculus carbo, flartiny, p. 75 ; Pelecanus
carbo, Pulteney's List, p. 21.

The Cormorant is resident and tolerably common
along the coast, breeding notably at Ballard Down, be-
tween Swanage and Studland, and at Whitenore. It
sometimes visits Morden Lake, and there is a tradi-
tion of the former existence of a Cormorant's nest in
a tree on the Stour, near Langton, Blandford. One
in my collection was shot some years ago at Stafford
on the River Frome. In Poole harbour and in Wey-
mouth Fleet twenty or thirty may sometimes be seen
together fishing at low tide. In the month of June
the ledges of the perpendicular cliffs round Old
Harry are covered with nests and unfledged young.
Nothing looks more weird than these grim, ungainly
creatures as they sit watching every movement of
the intruder who ventures on the brink of the cliff
to survey their domain. At this season of the year
the old birds may be seen flying to and from the
harbour for fish all day long. They then often pitch
in the Wareham river, which lies in the direct line
of flight from Lulworth to Poole.1

1 See The Zoologist, 1877, p. 384.

126 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

SHAG. Phalacrocorax graculus, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 151; Dresser, vi. p. 163; Seebohm, iii. p. 656;
Ibis List, p. 1 06; Graculus cristatus, Harting, p. 75 ; Pele-
canus cristatus, Pulteney's List, p. 21.

Unlike the Cormorant, the Shag does not congre-
gate in colonies to breed, preferring to nest in the
holes and crevices of the sea-cliffs ; in other respects
its habits are similar. It is most abundant on the
south coast of Purbeck from Gadcliff to Lulworth,
and thence westward to Whitenore. Mr. Pike states
that although very uncommon inside the Poole
waters, it may be seen in some numbers between
Peveril and Ringshead ledges. Mr. Harting, who
took several nests and inspected others at Bat's Head,
Swyre Cliff, Durdle Eock, and South Cliff, found
the date of laying to vary considerably. He saw
young birds that could fly, others that could not,
eggs and empty nests, on the same day. He found
the usual number of eggs to be three ; and in cases
where the young were already hatched, three was
the number of young birds in the nest. He says the
mode in which the old bird feeds her young is rather
curious. Instead of putting her bill with food into
that of her young, as is usual with most birds, just
the reverse takes place ; the young bird inserts its
bill into that of its parent, and so takes out the
food.1

> The Zoologist, 1865, p. 9676, and 1879, PP- 2I4> 266, 302.

GANNET. 127

G ANNEX. Sula bassana, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 155 ; Harting, p. 75 ; Dresser, vi. p. 181 ; Seebohm,
iii. p. 643 ; Ibis List, p. 106 ; Pelecauus bassanus, Pulteney's
List, p. 22.

The Gannet does not breed anywhere on the
Dorsetshire coast, but visits us in the autumn and
winter months. It arrives about October and leaves
again in April, being most plentiful during the Sprat
season. The bill of this bird differs from that of
other sea-fowl in the position and appearance of the
nostrils, which are reduced to an extremely narrow
slit on either side of the upper mandible, a provision
which, with the peculiar form of the sternum, enables
it to sustain the shock to its ponderous body when
plunging into the sea from a great height after fish.
When following the Sprats, they adopt different
tactics, and instead of plunging upon them from a
height, fly low over the surface of the water like
Gulls, scooping up the Sprats without alighting.
They fish during the flowing tide, and at the ebb rest
motionless on the water, when they are sometimes so
gorged as to allow a sailing-boat to run up within a
few yards of them. Occasionally one is washed ashore
dead or dying. Mr. T. M. Pike writes: " Gannets at
times are numerous between Christchurch Lodge and
the Poole Bar. On one occasion quite a hundred of
these fine birds could have been seen taking their
splendid 'headers' into the sea just outside the
narrow spit of land between Bourne shore and the
sandbanks. They never trust themselves inside the

128 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

harbour. If one is seen wending its way up one of
the channels of the inner water, it is a doomed bird,
having probably suffered some severe injury from
shot or other accident. Once only have I observed
a Gannet come in past the harbour-mouth ; two days
afterwards it was picked up dead, having been washed
ashore just above the Poole battery. Several others
succumbed to the south-west gales, and were driven
on to the Studland shore."

ORDER HERODIONES.

FAM. ARDEHLE.

COMMON HEKON. Ardea cinerea, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 162; Harting, p. 55 ; Dresser, vi. p. 207; See-
bohm, ii. p. 468; Ibis List, p. 107 ; Major <£, Cinerea $,
Pultene]fs List, p. 13.

The only heronries in the county are at Bryanston,
Crichel, and St. Giles. The heronry on Branksea
Island has been broken up for some years,1 but there
is a large one on the Arne estate overlooking Ware-
ham Bay. A few pairs also have nested in Goatham
Wood on the Rempstone property. Some years ago
a pair of Herons began to build in Whatcombe
plantations, but were persecuted by the Rooks. There
are also two or three nests every year in a plantation
on Duddle Farm, Fordington. On the Arne Heath,
a secluded spot, they often collect in great numbers,
and remain motionless for hours together on the

1 See The Field Naturalist's Magazine, 1834, p. 194.

HERONS.

129

lee side of some hill. They are exceedingly nume-
rous in Poole harbour, where as many as a hundred
may sometimes be seen fishing. In the summer of
1876 a pair built their nest at Littlesea, on the
top of some reeds, not more than four feet from
the ground : the only chick which was hatched
tumbled out of its ark and was drowned.

PURPLE HERON. Ardea purpurea, L. .

Yarrell, iv. p. 172 ; Harting, p. 55 ; Dresser, vi. p. 217 ; Seebohm,
iL p. 473; Ibis List, p. 108.

Although the geographical range of the Purple
Heron is nearly the same as that of the Common
Heron, it is not found so far north, and in England
it is only a rare and accidental visitor. One shot at
Hyde in this county was presented by Mr. C. Rad-
clyffe to the County Museum ; and another was pro-
cured in the neighbourhood of Dorchester in 1848.

SQUACCO HERON. Ardea ralloides, Scopoli.

Yarrell, iv. p. 191; Dresser, vi. p. 251; Ibis List, p. 109;
Ardea comata, Harting, p. 149; Seebohm, ii. p. 486.

A rare and accidental visitant. One was shot at
Encombe in 1865 ; another at Wyke Regis, July i,
1867 (Thompson, Zoologist, 1867, p. 915) ; a third,
shot by Mr. H. J. Cockeram of Chetnole, at Friar
Maine, May 15, 1867 (J. Grant, The Field, May 25,
1867). This bird, as Mr. Cockeram informs me, was
seen by his keeper for upwards of a week before he

shot it, and spent nearly the whole day upon the same

i

130 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

tree in the wood, and in the evening went off to its
feeding-ground in the water-meadows close by. A
fourth was shot at Tincleton by Mr. Bridle.

NIGHT HERON. Nydicorax griseus, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 195; Harting, p. 56; Dresser, vi. p. 269; Ibis
List, p. no ; Nycticorax nycticorax, Seebohm, ii. p. 496.

There is good reason to believe that this bird used
at one time to nest annually in England in suit-
able localities.1 Although a rare visitor to Dorset-
shire, it has occurred on several occasions in the
county. One shot at Radipole, near Weymouth, in
May 1843, was sold to the Rev. J. Horner of Mells
Park, Somersetshire. Another, curiously enough, was
procured forty years later, in May 1883, near the
same place.

LITTLE BITTERN. Ardetta minuta, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 200; Dresser, vi. p. 259; Ibis List, p. no;
Botaurus minutus, Harting, p. 57; Seelolim, ii. p. 510;
Ardea minuta, Pulteney's List, p. 14.

An occasional visitant. Pulteney mentions one
shot on the Bere river, another at Upton, and a third
at Lytchett. One killed at Preston, near Weymouth,
in 1840, is now in the possession of Mr. Montague
Guest. In 1866 three, which had been shot on the
Wareham river, passed through the hands of Mr.
Hart of Christchurch ; and on March 25 of that year
one was shot at Coombe Farm, Langton Maltravers.
1 Harting, " Handbook of British Birds," p. 56.

BITTERNS. 131

BITTERN. Botaurm stellarts, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 206 ; Harting, p. 56 ; Dresser, vi. p. 281 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 503; Ibis List, p. in; Ardea stellaris, Pulteney's
List, p. 13.

Although at one time resident in the English fens,
the Bittern is now generally met with by snipe-
shooters, and is not uncommon as a winter visitor.
It is a skulking bird, and rarely seen except on the
wing ; its pale streaked plumage, the colour of dead
reeds, favouring its concealment. Pulteney states
that it is more frequently seen on the Frome than
on the Stour, as being more marshy. One was shot
at Bexington, Abbotsbury, in 1858 ; one at Bryant's
Piddle in 1874; two at Manston in December 1875 ;
three on the Bere river in the winter of 1875-76;
one at Wareham, January 6, 1877; and one at
Tarrant Crawford in February 1887. Mr. Pike in-
forms me that, when residing in the neighbourhood
of Wareham, in hard winters he often had Bitterns
brought to him, and that his brother once killed one
within a gunshot or two of Wareham Bridge.

AMERICAN BITTERN. Botaurus lentiginosus, (Montagu).

Yarrell, iv. p. 213; Harting, p. 150; Dresser, vi. p. 289;
Seebohm, ii. p. 506; Ibis List, p. in.

Montagu in the Supplement to his " Ornithologi-
cal Dictionary," 1813, has, under the name of the
Freckled Heron, described and figured the only
specimen of this rare American visitor which has

i32 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

occurred in Dorsetshire, although two other examples
have been procured at long intervals in the adjoining
county of Devon. The bird described by Montagu,
which is preserved with the rest of his collection in
the Natural History Museum at South Kensington,
was shot by Mr. Cunningham near Piddletown in
this county in the autumn of 1 804. It is a remarkable
fact that this American bird should have been first
described from a specimen obtained in Dorsetshire
a year before it was made known to American
naturalists by Wilson (" American Ornithology," vol.
viii. p. 35, pi. Ixv.). It may be distinguished from
the European Bittern, by its smaller size, and by the
uniform colour of the primaries, which in our bird
are barred.

FAM. CICONIID.E.

WHITE STORK. Ciconia alba, Beclistein.

Yarrett, iv. p. 219 ; Harting, p. 54 ; Dresser ; vi. p. 297 ; Seebohm,
ii. p. 525 ; Ibis List, p. 112.

I am not aware that more than two specimens of
this accidental visitor from the Continent have been
observed in Dorsetshire. These were seen in Poole
harbour in April 1884, and I believe were subse-
quently shot at Christchurch.

STORKS. 133

BLACK STOKK. Ciconia nigra, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 225; Hart ing, p. 145; Dresser, vi. p. 309; See-
bohm, ii. p. 529; Ibis List, p. 112.

Although a rarer bird in England than the last-
named species, it has been met with in Dorsetshire
on two occasions. One was shot in Poole harbour in
November 1839, as recorded by Yarrell (iv. p. 226),
and is preserved in the collection of Lord Malmes-
bury at Heron Court, Christchurch ; and a second,
now in Mr. J. H. Gurney's collection, was procured
at the same attractive spot for wild-fowl exactly
ten years later, namely, in the autumn of 1849.
In 1857 two gunners described to the late Mr. W.
Thompson of Weymouth a bird which they had seen
at Lodmoor, and which he was satisfied could be
only this species. It was not, however, obtained.

FAM. PLATALEID.E.

SPOONBILL. Platalea leucorodia, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 237; Harting, p. 54 j Seebohm, ii. p. 514; Ibis
List, p. 113; Pulteney's List, p. 13 ; Platea leucorodia,
Dresser, vi. p. 319.

Although it is now known that the Spoonbill
used formerly to breed in Norfolk and Suffolk,
Sussex and Middlesex,1 it has long ceased to be

1 See Harting, Zoologist, 1877 (pp. 425-429), and 1886 (pp. 81-88).

i34 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

more than an accidental visitant on migration.
Pulteney states that in his day (a century ago) it
was not unfrequently to be seen in the neighbour-
hood of Poole. One was shot in Lytchett Bay in
June 1841 ; one on the Weymouth Backwater in
1846; one in Poole harbour, November 1848; and
one at Abbotsbury decoy in the autumn of 1872.
The last of which I have any note was an imma-
ture bird shot at Poole in October 1881. Mr. Pike
writes : " I have seen Spoonbills several times in
autumn about Poole harbour and the Corfe division
of the estuary. In spring also it is occasionally ob-
served. I remember one remaining about Wareham
Bay for several weeks. It used to try and associate
with the Herons, but its advances were often repulsed,
the Herons mobbing it and shrieking at it. Never-
theless on several occasions I saw it perched among
the high trees of the Arne Heroniy, with several
Herons close by ; its ivory-white plumage being very
conspicuous against the dark 'green of the fir-tops.
On the mud, at a little distance, it looked like a large
white Gull."

GLOSSY IBIS, riecjadis falcinellus, (L.)

Yarrcll, iv. p. 231 ; Dresser, vi. p. 335 ; Ibis List, p. 113 ; Ibis
falcinellus, Hart ing, p. 54; Seebohm, ii. p. 520.

The Glossy Ibis is another accidental visitant,
which is occasionally met with in the autumn. One
was killed in Poole harbour in 1839; a male and
a female were shot in Lytchett Bay in August 1842.

GEESE. 135

Single birds have been procured at Moreton in
1855; in the Wareham meadow in 1857; and at
Kimmeridge in September 1858. Since that date
seven Dorsetshire specimens have passed through
the hands of Mr. Hart of Christchurch. These were
all obtained on the Wareham river and upper reaches
of Poole harbour during the last week of September
1859. One of these is in the possession of Mr. J.
Panton of Wareham, and another is in the collection
of Mr. T. M. Pike. The late Mr. C. O. Bartlett had
three in his collection, which had been shot in the
neighbourhood of Wareham, and two others are in
the possession of Mr. F. Squire of that town.

ORDER ANSERES.

FAM. ANATID.E.

GREY-LAG GOOSE. Anser cinerens, (Meyer).

Yarrell, iv. p. 253; Dresser, vi. p. 355; SeeboJim, iii. p. 500;
Ibis List, p. 115 ; Anser ferus, Harting, p. 59; Anas anser,
Pulteney's List, p. 19.

Generally regarded as the parent stock of our
domestic geese, the Grey-lag shows a resemblance
to the farmyard bird not only in plumage, but also
in the flesh-coloured beak with white nail, and pink
feet. Pulteney, referring to its former nesting in the
English fens, states that " it is common in the South
of England in severe seasons ; " but this is not the
case now, the Grey-lag in Dorsetshire being very rarely

136 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

seen on our coast. One was shot at Moreton in the
winter of 1885. Mr. Harting writes : "The fact is,
the Grey-lag is rarely found on the coast anywhere,
for, unlike the Brent, the Barnacle, and perhaps the
White-fronted Goose, it prefers keeping inland, where
it feeds on the green wheat by day where the country
is very open, and in the flooded water-meadows at
night. On the wing, Grey-lags may always be known
from the other species above mentioned by their
flying in a figure — generally a V or a Y ; the others
fly en masse."

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Anser albifrons, (Scopoli).

Yarrell, iv. p. 261 ; Harting, p. 60 ; Dresser, vi. p. 375 ; Seebohm,
iii. p. 505 ; Ibis List, p. 1 1 6 ; Anas albif rons, Pulteney's
List, p. 20.

Somewhat commoner than the Grey-lag in winter,
but never plentiful. Like the last-named, it has
a flesh-coloured bill with white nail, but may be
distinguished by its orange-coloured legs and feet.
Pulteney, who notices one shot near Gussage in
1795, says (p. 20): "Among the great variety of
water-fowl shot on the mud-banks of Poole harbour,
this is sometimes brought by fishermen up into the
country for sale, but it is not at any time plentiful."
I have notes of its occurrence at Kimmeridge in the
winter of 1849; at Weymouth the same year, and
again at Weymouth in February 1855 (W. Thompson),
Mr. Pike writes : " All the Grey Geese which I have
examined at Poole (very few in number) have been of

GEESE. 137

this species, and I have never seen more than a
dozen or so together." He adds : " Grey Geese of
eveiy kind are getting scarce. I have not seen a
dozen this winter (1887)."

BEAN GOOSE. Anser segetum, (Gmelin).

Tarrell, iv. p. 265 ; Harting, p. 59 ; Dresser, vi. p. 363 ;
Seebohm, iii. p. 493; Ibis List, p. 115; Anas segetum,
Pulteney's List, p. 20.

Although a more frequent visitor than the two
preceding species, the Bean Goose is far from com-
mon. It may be distinguished from both by its
orange-coloured bill with black nail, and orange-
coloured legs and feet. I have notes of one shot at
Weymouth in February 1855, and one at Lodmoor,
November 15, 1871. Mr. W. Penney secured five
in Poole harbour, November 24, 1876, all of which
were eaten.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Anser brachyrhynchus, Bafflon.

Yarrell, iv. p. 270; Harting, p. 60; Dresser, vi. p. 369; Seebohm,
iii. p. 498 ; Ibis List, p. 1 1 6.

The Pink-footed Goose was not for a long time
specifically distinguished from the Bean Goose, and
even now Mr. Seebohm is of opinion that it can
scarcely be regarded as more than a local or inland
form of that species. The colour of the bill and legs
varies somewhat between pink and yellow, but in
the most typical examples may be described thus :

138 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Bill pink with the nail and base black, legs and feet
pink. It has been rarely met with in Dorsetshire,
only two instances of its occurrence having come
under my notice. One was shot at Moreton in
1855, and another in Tolpiddle Meadows, November
1, 1881.

BEKNICLE GOOSE. Bernicla leucopsis, (Bechstein).

Yarrell, iv. p. 286 ; Dresser, vi. p. 397 ; Ibis List, p. 118 ; Anser
leucopsis, Harting, p. 6 1 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 512; Anas ery-
thropus, Pulteney's List, p. 20.

The intensely black-and-white appearance which
this Goose presents will always serve to distinguish
it at a distance from any other species. It is this
bird which was fabled to be produced from the
parasitic cirrhipod Lepas anatifera, or Barnacle, so
quaintly described and figured in Gerard's "Herbal,"
1597. According to Pulteney, it appears on the
Dorsetshire coast in October, but only in inclement
weather. One is stated to have been seen on January
30, 1857, in Weymouth Backwater (W. Thompson) ;
and the same winter some were shot there, one of
which is preserved in the possession of Mr. H.
Groves. A specimen in the County Museum, also,
is believed to have been shot on our coast some
years ago. The last of which I have heard were
shot on the coast in February 1879, when one or
two were sent to Mr. Hart, of Christchurch, for
preservation.

GEESE. 139

BBEXT GOOSE. Bernicla Irenta, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, iv. p. 290 ; Dresser, vi. p. 389 ; Ibis List, p. 117; Anser
bernicla, Harting, p. 61 ; Anser brenta, Seebohm, iii. p.
508 ; Anas bernicla, Pulteney's List, p. 20.

The Brent or "Black Goose," as it is called by
the coast gunners, is the most abundant of all the
wild geese, and the smallest. Mr. T. M. Pike states
that it usually comes in from the sea when the
mud-flats of Poole harbour appear at the falling
tide, but after its first appearance in November the
flocks become too wary to trust themselves inside,
excepting between southerly and easterly winds, when
the puntsmen cannot get at them. They then feed
almost entirely outside the harbour in Studland Bay
and at the back of the Hook Shoal upon the floating
weed that comes out on the ebb-tide.

Early in February 1879 a great number of Brent
Geese arrived during the prevalence of a strong east
wind, and were veiy tame ; sixty or seventy were
shot by three gunners at the mouth of Poole harbour.

EGYPTIAN" GOOSE. Chenalopex cegyptiaca, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 300; Ibis List, p. 114; Anser segyptiaca,
Harting, p. 61.

It is doubtful whether this species has any claim
to be admitted in the list of British birds, being so
frequently kept with other ornamental water-fowl in
a semi-domesticated state, and often escaping only
to be shot. A small flock was formerly kept in

1 40 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Morden Park. In 1850 two were shot at Dor-
chester, one of which is in the County Museum ;
another was shot at Crichel in February 1855 ; and
a third at Lodmoor in December 1856. But it is
impossible to say whether these had all escaped
from confinement in this country, or had actually
reached our coast from Africa.

"VVHOOPER OR WILD SWAN. Cygnus musicus, Beclistein.

Yarrell, iv. p. 308; Harting, p. 59; Dresser, vi. p. 433; See-
bohm, iii. p. 480; Ibis List, p. 120; Anas cygnus, Pul-
tene.y's List, p. 19.

As a winter visitor the Whooper is not very un-
common, especially if the weather be very severe
after Christmas ; and it sometimes associates with
the tame Swans on the Fleet at Abbotsbury, where
two were shot on January 14, 1871. Two others
were seen there in the winter of 1877, as reported
by the Eev. A. C. Smith, Zoologist, 1877, p. 509.
Colonel Hawker once killed eight at one shot in
Poole harbour ; but this was many years ago. Mr.
Pike says he has never seen either a Whooper or a
Bewick's Swan in the Poole estuary, although no
doubt they do occasionally appear there. A con-
siderable number of Swans get killed there in the
winter, but those which he has examined have
always proved to be the ordinary Mute Swan, Cygnus
olor, many of them doubtless stragglers from the
Swannery at Abbotsbury.

SWANS. 141

BEWICK'S SWAN. Cygmis lewicki, Yarrell.

Yarrell, iv. p. 315; Dresser, vi. p. 441; Seebohm, iii. p. 484;
Ibis List, p. 121 ; Cj'gnus minor, Harting, p. 59.

Bewick's Swan, which is almost one-third smaller
than the Whooper, is a rare visitant. One was shot
on the Fleet Water, February 18, 1855; another at
Chickerel, February 20, 1871 ; and a third at Hen-
bury, Wimbome, in December 1879.

MUTE SWAN. Oygnus olor, (Gmelin).

Yarrell, iv. p. 324; Dresse)', iv. p. 419; SeeboJim, iii. p. 476;
Ibis List, p. 119; Cygnus mansuetus, Pulteney's List,
p. 19.

At the western extremity of the Fleet estuary,
opposite Abbotsbury, is the only Swannery in the
kingdom, belonging to the Earl of Ilchester.

The Fleet is about nine miles long and from a
quarter to three-quarters of a mile broad, extending
from the sea at Portland Bridge to Abbotsbury. The
southern side is bounded by the Chesil Bank, called
in a grant to Sir John Strangways (12 Ch. I.) La
Breche, a natural aggregation of pebbles, mainly
flint, which touches the Isle of Portland at Chesil,
and terminates at Burton Bradstock, about three
miles west of Abbotsbury. Between these two points
the Bank is joined to the mainland, and is not inter-
vened by water, as is the case between Abbotsbury
and the Ferry Bridge. The northern side of the
estuary touches the parishes of Abbotsbury, Langton

142 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Herring, Fleet, Chickerel, and Wyke Regis. It is pro-
bably the remains of a valley encroached upon by the
sea before the Chesil Bank was thrown up. It is well
adapted for the support of wild-fowl, and has been
frequented by swans from a very early date. There
are records of a Swannery long previous to the Refor-
mation, of which the Abbots of the neighbouring
monastery were possessors. At its dissolution, Henry
VIII. granted it to Giles Strangways, ancestor of the
present owner, who raised the number of swans in
the course of fourteen years from 800 to 1 500. The
Swannery was the subject of litigation in the thirty-
fourth year of Elizabeth. In the case of the Queen
and Lady Young, widow, and T. Saunger (which
is recorded in Coke's Reports, part vii. p. 15), an
office1 was formed at W., in county of Dorset, iSth
September, 3 2 Elizabeth, before Sir Matthew Arundel
and other Commissioners of the Queen under the
Great Seal, that in the village of Abbotsbury there is
a mere or fleet, into which the tide ebbed and flowed,
and which is frequented by 500 swans, of which 410
are white (adults) and 90 cygnets, and which are in
the possession of Joan Young and T. Saunger, and
are about the value of 2s. 6d. each, and were un-
marked at the time of the Inquisition. A writ was
directed to the Sheriff of the county of Dorset to seize
all the said white swans which are not marked. The
Sheriff returned that he had seized 400 white swans.
To which afterwards, in Hilary Term, 34 Elizabeth,

1 An Inquisition made to the King's use of anything by virtue of his
office.

SWANS. 143

the said Joan Young and T. Saunger pleaded that
the said estuary, before the Inquisition taken, was
seised by the Abbots of Abbotsbury in fee, as well as
its banks and soil (solum), and that not only at the
time of the Inquisition, but from time out of mind,
there was, as now, a game (volatus) of swans and
cygnets nesting, breeding, and haunting there, which
the Abbot and his predecessors had the use and
enjoyment of, and being wild, they were not accus-
tomed to have them marked, but bred them up for
the use of the kitchen and for hospitality, and that
some of the cygnets they marked by cutting off the
pinions of the wings to prevent flight. Subsequently
the said Abbot surrendered the premises to King
Henry VIII., who, about the thirty-fifth year of his
reign, granted them to Giles Strangways, Esq., by
letter patent in the fullest sense ; and after the death
of Giles it descended to Giles Strangways, his cousin
and heir, who demised the said game of swans to the
defendants for one year. It was ruled that all white
swans not marked, and having gained their natural
liberty and swimming in an open river, might be
seized to the King's use by his prerogative, because
they are royal birds. It was also ruled that the plea
of prescription was insufficient, as the effect of pre-
scription is that all swans which are ferce natures,
and which nest, breed, and haunt within the manor,
can only be claimed as long as they remain there ;
but if the defendants had alleged that from time
out of mind there had been a game of wild swans,
marked, nesting, breeding, and haunting, and had

144 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

prescribed that the Abhot and all his predecessors
had used at all times to have and to take to their
own use some of the said game of wild swans and
cygnets in the said creek, it would have been good ;
for although swans are royal fowls, yet in such a
manner that a man may claim prescription, for they
might have a lawful beginning by the grant, and yet
without that prescription they do belong to the King
by his prerogative.

The following statistics, obtained in different years
and collected from various sources, will convey an idea
of the proportions of this remarkable Swannery : —

1865. In this year there were "probably not more than 500
Swans including young birds" (Harting, Zoologist, 1865,
p. 9671 ; 1877, p. 505). This was after a severe winter,
when many perished from causes mentioned below.

1866. Less than 700 (Truth, i4th October 1880).

1873. Upwards of 1000 (Mansel Pleydell, Catalogue 0} the
Birds of Dorset, 1873, p. 41).

1876. On May 12, "about noo Swans, 640 engaged in
incubation, the remainder being birds varying from one
to two or three years' growth. The swanherd stated that
they do not lay before their third year." — J. C. [John
Colebrooke ?], Land and Water, 3rd June 1876.

1877. On July 19, "a flock of 700 of these noble birds — a
goodly colony " — was inspected by the Kev. A. C. Smith
(Zoologist, 1877, p. 511).

1878. On April 25, "Mr. J. H. Gurney was assured by the
swanherd, who had held office there for more than fifty
years, that the number of Swans then under his charge
was fully 1300, of which nearly half were engaged in the
duties of incubation" (ZooL, 1878, p. 208).

1880. "Over 1400 birds, or considerably more than double
the number in 1866 " (Truth, i^th October 1880).

A catastrophe happened in the winter of 1880

SWANS. 145

which reduced the number nearly half. The Fleet
was frozen throughout during an extremely low
spring-tide, when the water-plants growing at the
bottom, becoming entangled in the ice, were torn up
by the roots at the returning tide. Many of the
Swans, thus suddenly deprived of their supply of
food, either died of famine or migrated, and reduced
the number to about 800, which average it now
maintains.

The "View in the Swannery," which forms the
frontispiece to this volume, was photographed during
the summer of 1887. The Chesil Beach is seen in
the distance : the sea lies beyond.

POLISH SWAN. Cygnus immutaMis, Yarrell.
Tai-rell, iv. p. 340; Harting, p. 153; Ibis List, p. 120.

The claim of the so-called Polish Swan to rank as
specifically distinct from the Mute Swan is disputed.
It is said to differ from the last-named species in
having a smaller tubercle at the base of the upper
mandible in the adult, black edges to the gape,
and slate-coloured legs ; a further peculiarity being
that the plumage of the cygnet is white from birth,
and not brownish-grey, as is the case with the other
species. This peculiarity, however, appears not to
be constant (see Professor Newton's remarks in The
Zoologist for December 1887, p. 463). The Polish
Swan is unknown in the Swannery at Abbotsbury,
and no ivliite cygnets have ever been seen there.1

1 Gurney, Zoologist, 1878, p. 208.

i46 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Two of these birds, however, both adult specimens,
were shot in Poole harbour by Mr. T. M. Pike,
January 24, 1882, and are deposited in Mr. E. Hart's
museum of British birds obtained in the neighbour-
hood of Christchurch. A careful examination of
these has left no doubt on my mind as to their specific
distinctness from the Mute Swan.

BUDDY SHELDRAKE. Tadorna casarca, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 347; Dresser, vi. p. 461; Ibis List, p. 122;
Tadorna rutila, Harting, p. 157 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 524.

The Ruddy Sheldrake is generally regarded as an
accidental winter visitant to our shores ; but it is
so frequently kept, with other ornamental water-fowl,
in a state of semi-domestication, from which it some-
times escapes, that it is difficult to say whether the
examples met with in a state of liberty are really
wild birds or not. The first recorded British-killed
example of this bird, according to Selby (Illustr.
Brit. Orn., vol. ii. p. 293), was shot at Bryanston in
this county in the severe winter of 1776, and at the
date of his work (1833) was preserved in the New-
castle Museum. It does not appear how, or from
whom, he obtained its history; Fox in 1827 was
unable to pronounce it a British-killed specimen (cf.
Fox, Synop. Newcastle Mus., p. 142). I have not
heard of any other instance of its occurrence in
Dorsetshire.

SHELDRAKE. 147

COMMON SHELDRAKE. Tadorna cornuta, (Graelin).

Yarrell, iv. p. 352; Dresser, vi. p. 451; Seebohm, Hi. p. 520;
Ibis List, p. 122; Tadorna vulpanser, Hurting, p. 61 ;
Anas tadorna, Pulteney's List, p. 20.

On the sandy parts of the coast the Sheldrake is
not uncommon, and breeds regularly in the rabbit-
burrows, from which habit it has acquired the
provincial name of " Burrow-duck." The young
broods, as soon as they are hatched, are led down to
the sea by their parents, and may then be seen in
" troops " (as they are locally called) of from thirty
to forty. On being approached, the old ones fly away,
leaving the young to shift for themselves by diving.
They may be easily shot when they come up, but you
can seldom kill more than one or two at a time, as
they always disperse before you can get very near
them. Colonel Hawker, upon whose authority this
statement is made, adds that a professional wild-
fowler named Read, who was born and bred in the
Isle of Purbeck, always asserted that as soon as
the young are hatched they are led to the water,
and there left in charge of only two or three old
birds, which, " like schoolmasters " (as he said\ have
sometimes the care of about a hundred young ones.
Thus they remain until all the " troop " are able to
fly with them (about September) when they are seen
no more until the first hard weather before Christmas
(Zoologist, 1 8 78, p. 131). During the severe winter of
1838, says Colonel Hawker, there were a great num-
ber of " Burrow-ducks " on the coast. " They were

i48 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

the wildest of birds until half-starved by the freezing
of the shellfish, and then they became the tamest of all
wild-fowl." Being very handsome birds in their adult
garb of black, white, and chestnut, they are often
kept, with other ornamental water-fowl, on private
water; but the young are troublesome to rear.
Colonel Hawker writes : — " You may keep young
' Burrow-ducks ' for five or six weeks, provided you
give them crumbs of bread and only a little water
three times a day. But if you let them get into the
water, or even drink too much before they are full
grown and fit to be turned out on your pond, you
are almost sure to kill them. This appears quite
a paradox with birds that in their wild state are
always in the water ; but such is the case." l

Occasionally in hard weather the Sheldrake wan-
ders inland, and is sometimes shot at some distance
from the coast. One in Viscount Portman's collec-
tion was shot at Bryanston in the month of January ;
another was killed at Berwick Farm, Burton Brad-
stock; a third was killed at Weymouth in November;
and an adult male at Lodmoor in February 1870.
In June 1884 a brood was seen on the Arne sand-
banks ; and a flock of them frequented Littlesea
in July 1885.

1 " Instructions to Young Sportsmen in all that Relates to Guns and
Shooting," ed. 1859, pp. 220, 221.

DUCKS. 149

WILD DUCK. Anas boscas, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 358 ; Dresser, vi. p. 469 ; Ibis List, p. 125 ; Anas
boschas, Ifarting, p. 62 j Seebohm, iii. p. 559; Pulteney's
List, p. 21.

Although most of the birds that flock here in
winter are visitors from a distance, a good many
Wild Ducks are reared in the county, where there
are many favourable breeding-haunts. Before the
end of the close season, that is, the end of July, the
quiet creeks of Poole harbour are alive with these
birds, but a few days after its termination a great
change ensues; their favourite haunts are abandoned;
silence and solitude reign supreme ; eveiy bird has
been shot or scared away by the relentless gunner.

Colonel Hawker, in alluding to "flapper-shooting,"
of which, as a true sportsman, he had no very high
opinion, gives an accurate idea of the bird's haunts
and habits. He says : — " To find a brood of these,
go about July and hunt the rushes in the deepest
and most retired parts of some brook or trout-stream,
where, if you spring the old Duck, you may be pretty
sure that the brood is not far off. When once found,
' flappers ' are easily killed, as they attain their full
growth before their wings are fledged ; and for this
reason the sport is more like hunting water-rats
than shooting birds. If you leave the brood after
having disturbed them, the old bird will remove
them to another place long before the following day.
When the ' flappers ' take wing, they assume the
name of 'Wild Ducks.' About the month of

150 THE BIRDS 'OF DORSET.

August they repair to the cornfields till disturbed
by the harvest-people. They then frequent the
rivers pretty early in the evening, and show ex-
cellent sport to any one who has patience to wait
for them."

The only wild-fowl decoys in Dorsetshire are thus
described by Sir R Payne Gallwey in his recently
published work on decoys : l —

"At Abbotsbury, the residence of the Earl of
Ilchester, eight miles south-west of Dorchester, at the
head of the Fleet estuary, between St. Catherine's
Chapel and the sea-shore, is an ancient decoy with
four pipes. The date of its construction is not
known to the owner, but it is on land that formerly
belonged to the abbots of the monastery of St.
Peter, and is, therefore, said to have existed before
the Dissolution. Great numbers of wild-fowl —
Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Pochard, and
Golden-Eye — visit it ; but in consequence of there
being a good deal of open water outside the decoy,
and shooting carried on during the season, no very
large captures are made. About ten or twelve at a
time, and a couple of hundred in the course of the
winter, is the average take.

" At Morden, six miles north of Wareham, on the
property of Miss Drax of Charborough Park, there
used to be a decoy until 1856, when it ceased to
be worked, and since then the shooting around it
having been let, the place has been too much dis-

1 "The Book of Duck Decoys, their History, Construction, and
Management," 4to, 1886, pp. 71-74.

DUCKS. 151

turbed to admit of the decoy being successfully
carried on. The Morden decoy was a famous one
in its day, being admirably placed to attract wild-
fowl from the Poole harbour and estuary, a large
extent of water and ooze, with numerous creeks,
nearly six miles square. The late Kev. Thomas
Pearce, well known as a contributor to The Field
under the name of ' Idstone,' and who formerly
rented this decoy, informed the author that it had
cleared as much as ^300 in a season, which would
represent fully 7000 to 8000 fowl, taking expenses,
and birds such as Teal and Wigeon into account. It
is situated in a swampy valley surrounded by heath.
The enclosure is four acres, with an open pond of if
acres. It has five pipes, somewhat curiously planned.
The decoy enclosure is planted with bog-myrtle,
alder, and willow, with some oak and birch.

"This decoy could easilybe put in working order
again, and, from its position near the coast, should
still do well. Charborough Park, near which it is
situated, has always been famous for the wild beauty
of its surroundings, as well as for the number and
variety of the game and wild-fowl that frequent it."

At Wimborne a decoy was commenced by the late
Mr. Coventry, of the Knoll, Wimborne, but it was
never completed.

An interesting chapter on wild-fowl decoys in
Dorsetshire will be found in Mrs. Panton's " Country
Sketches in Black and White," to which reference
has been already made under the head of " Curlew."

152 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

GAD WALL. Anas strepera, L.

Yarrell, iv. p. 370; Harting, p. 62 ; Seelohm, ii. p. 530; Pul-
teney's List, p. 21 ; Chaulelasmus streperus, Dresser, vi.
p. 487 ; Ibis List, p. 125.

The Gad wall, or " Grey Duck," as it is locally
called, is a rare winter visitant; and from the fact
that Colonel Hawker has no notes on this species
in his "Instructions to Young Sportsmen," which
contains so much interesting information ahout such
wildfowl as he had personally met with, it may be
inferred that it was never common here, even at a
time when wild-fowl of all kinds were more plenti-
ful than they are now, and breech-loaders unknown.
Two were shot at Poole in the winter of 1841 ; one
at Weymouth, and two on Branksea Island in
January 1851 ; one in Poole harbour in the winter
of 1867; another at the same place in January 1879 ;
one at Fleet, near Weymouth, January 3, 1882 (T. J.
Mann) ; the last heard of being a male, also killed
at Poole, October 20, 1885.

SHOVELLER. Spatula clypeata (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 375; Dresser, vi. p. 497; Ibis List, p. 128;
Anas clypeata, Harting, p. 62; Seebohm, iii. p. 554;
Pulteney's List, p. 21 ; Anas rubens, young, PiJteney's
List, p. 21.

Although not so rare a Duck as the last-named,
the Shoveller is an uncommon bird in Dorsetshire,
where it is known chiefly as a winter visitant. Pul-
teney mentions one shot on a pond at World's End,

DUCKS. 153

and another "near Christchurch." Three were shot
on the river Frome near Dorchester in 1854; one
at Owre Moyne, January 29, 1857; one at Poole
in the winter of 1867; one above Julian Bridge,
Wimborne, in December 1 868, and a young male in
my collection was shot in February 1 869 at Milbome
St. Andrew's, sixteen miles from the sea. The last of
which I have any note was killed in Poole harbour,
December 21, 1885. In an exceptional case the
Shoveller has been known to breed in Dorsetshire.
The discoveiy of a nest of this bird at Ilsington was
made known by the late Mr. William Thompson of
Weymouth in The Zoologist for 1857, p. 5757.

PINTAIL. Dafila acuta, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 380; Dresser, vi. p. 531; Ibis List, p. 124;
Anas acuta, Harting, p. 62 ; Seebohm, iii. p. 534 ; Pulteney's
List, p. 21.

Unlike the two preceding species, the Pintail is a
regular and not unfrequent visitor in winter, although
never very numerous. It frequently associates with
Wigeon, both by day and night, and gets killed with
these birds at the same shot by the punt-gunners on
the coast. Colonel Hawker writes : — "I have often
killed both at the same shot. They are most expert
birds in running and diving when winged. I remem-
ber one winter stopping about a dozen at a shot on
the mud, and I could only get six of them after
a chase of three hours in a downpour of rain."
Pulteney mentions the occurrence of the Pintail at

154 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

Bryanston and Morden Park, and I have notes of
others shot at Abbotsbury, Puncknoll, Weymouth,
Poole, and Kimmeridge Bay.

GARGANEY. Querquedula circia, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 393; Hartiny, p. 63; Dresser, vi. p. 513; Ibis
List, p. 126 ; Anas circia, Seebohm, iii. p. 551 ; Anas quer-
quedula, Pulteney's List, p. 21.

The Garganey or " Summer Teal " arrives in the
spring on its way to its nesting-haunts, and there
are few handsomer little Ducks than a male of this
species in full breeding plumage. Pulteney says,
"Large flights have been seen at St. Giles's and
Crichel." I have notes of specimens killed at Staf-
ford, Dorchester, and at Kimmeridge ; three shot out
of a small flock on the Fleet near Weymouth, March
26, 1870 ; one seen in Poole harbour by Mr. Pike in
April 1878 ; two shot at Tweedmore, and two on the
Wareham river in April 1879. Mr. Pike states that
a brood or two are annually hatched off in his neigh-
bourhood (Zoologist, 1878, p. 130). It is more rarely
observed on its return southward in autumn, when
comparatively few are killed by wild-fowlers. I learn
from Mr. E. Hart that one, an adult female bird, was
obtained at Poole on November 26, 1884.

Like the Teal, this bird prefers the neighbourhood
of inland fresh-water pools, especially those sur-
rounded or sheltered by flags or reeds ; hence it is
not often observed by wild-fowl shooters on the coast,
except at the period of its arrival or departure.

DUCKS. 155

TEAL. Querquedtda crecca, (L. )

Yarrell, iv. p. 387 ; Hurting, p. 62 ; Dresser, vi. p. 507 ; Ibis
List, p. 127; Anas crecca, Seebohm, iii. p. 545; Pulteney's
List, p. 21.

Next to the Wigeon and the ordinary Wild Duck,
the Teal is perhaps the commonest wild-fowl we
have, being resident, and breeding here in suitable
localities. Its numbers are increased in the winter
by large accessions from the North. It is usually
abundant on the lakes at Crichel and Morden Park,
and several broods were hatched at the latter place in
the summer of 1887.

WIGEON. Mareca penelope, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 397; Dresser, vi. p. 541 ; Ibis List, p. 123 ; Anas
penelope, Hurting, p. 62; Seebohm, iii. p. 539; Pulteney's
List, p. 21.

As a winter visitor, sometimes arriving in very
large flocks, the Wigeon is well known to wild-fowl
shooters on the coast. The females generally arrive
before the males in October, and when the winter is
nearly over, they take the lead again, and leave the
males behind. As a proof of this, Colonel Hawker
mentions that a wild-fowler of his acquaintance shot
in Poole harbour, one night about the beginning of
March, forty-four Wigeon, all males but two.

On the Dorsetshire coast the shooters' terms for
a large flock of Wigeon are a company ; for about
thirty or forty, a bunch or trip of birds; and for

156 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

about ten or twelve, a little knob. They also call a
creek a lake, and the smaller creeks or drains latches.
The former is a general term among people on the
coast, but the latter in the neighbourhood of Lym-
ington is called a spreader.

RED-CEESTED POCHARD. Fuligula rufaia, (Pallas).

Yarrell, iv. p. 407; Harting, p. 159; Dresser, vi. p. 559; See-
bohm, iii. p. 567 ; Ibis List, p. 128.

This very rare Duck was first entered on the list
of British birds in 1818, since which date not more
than five-and-twenty instances have been recorded of
its occurrence in the British Islands. One preserved
in the collection of Viscount Portman, was shot on the
Stour at Bryanston in the early part of this century.

POCHARD. Fuligula ferina, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 413 ; Harting, p. 63 ; Dresser, vi. p. 551 ; Seebohm,
iii- P- 575 > IMS £ist> P- J3° > Anas ferina, Pitlteney's List,
p. 20.

The Pochard or "Dunbird," though best known
as a winter visitant, sometimes remains to breed in
Dorsetshire, and of late years several instances have
occurred of its nesting here, A few broods are
annually hatched in the neighbourhood of the Poole
estuary. During the summer of 1876 at least three
broods of the Pochard were reared near Swanage.
In June of that year Professor Newton saw two
female Pochards there, accompanied by their young,

DUCKS. 157

and a third, which was then alone, but which the
keeper assured him also had a brood. Since then
a few broods have been safely reared there annually.
The following summer Mr. T. M. Pike found the
Pochard breeding near Wareham (Zoologist, 1877,
p. 385), where about thirty young birds were hatched
out early in June. Pulteney says of this species : —
" The Pochard is seen up the country in fresh water ;
two were killed at Bryanston in 1796, and one at
Spettisbury in 1795." In a folio copy of Pennant's
" British Birds " in the Bryanston Library there are
three entries of the occurrence of the Pochard in the
handwriting of the father of Viscount Portman, one
shot at Bryanston in 1776, another December i,
1805, and a third January i, 1815. Mr. Rogers, a
poulterer of Poole, had a hybrid between the Pochard
and Wigeon.

FEKRUGINQUS iftJCK. Fuligula nyroca, Guldenstadt.

Yarrell, iv. p. 418; Seebuhm, iii. p. 571 ; Fuligula ferruginea,
Harting, p. 64; Nyroca ferruginea, Dresser, vi. p. 581;
Ibis List, p. 130.

The Ferruginous Duck, or, as it is sometimes
called, the " White-eyed Pochard," has a wide geo-
graphical range, extending from Cashmere to Algeria,
including Southern Spain and the valley of the
Danube. It is an accidental straggler to the British
Islands, and of rare occurrence in Dorsetshire, al-
though it is possible it may often escape notice when
swimming amongst more brightly coloured fowl, for

158 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

at a little distance it looks not unlike a female
Golden-Eye. One was killed at the mouth of the
Wareham river, January 3, 1879, by a well-known
puntsman named Charles Orchard. It was swim-
ming with a lot of Pochards at the time. Mr. Hart,
who preserved it, states that it was in fine plumage.

SCAUP. Fuligula marila, (L.)

Tarrell, iv. p. 423; Harting, p. 64; Dresser, vi. p. 565; See-
bohm, iii. p. 579 ; Ibis List, p. 129 ; Anas marila, Paltenerfs
List, p. 20.

The Scaup is a winter visitant, but although it has
been occasionally killed at Poole, Weymouth, and
Abbotsbury, it must be reckoned among our rarer
Ducks. Its local name at Weymouth and Poole is
" Curre." Pulteney says of it : — " This bird is very
rare in Dorsetshire ; one shot in Lytchett Bay had
the craw full of young periwinkles."

TUFTED DUCK. Fuligula cristata, (Leach).

Tarrell, iv. p. 430; Harting, p. 66; Dresser, vi. p. 573; See-
bohm, iii. p. 583; Ibis List, p. 129; Anas fuligula, Pul-
. teney's List, p. 20.

Like the last-named, the Tufted Duck is a winter
visitant, and of more frequent occurrence. It is
often found associating with the Golden-Eye, and
sometimes remains until quite late in the spring. I
have the authority of Professor Newton for stating
that it nested in this county in 1876. (See The

DUCKS. 159

Field, March 10, 1877.) It is very common on the
lakes at Crichel and Morden Park. At Weymouth
and Poole it is known as the "Blue-Bill" and "Blue-
billed Curre."

GOLDEN-EYE. Clangula glaudon, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 435 ; Harting, p. 66 ; Dresser, vi. p. 595 ; Una
List, p. 131 ; Fuligula clangula, Seebohm, ill p. 590; Anas
clangula, Pulteney's List, p. 20.

This handsome Duck is an annual visitor in winter,
at which season it may be found generally distributed
about our coasts in small flocks, occasionally coming
inland. The adult males in full plumage are less
frequently shot than immature males and females,
owing to their extreme wariness, for they usually
keep on the off-side of the rivers, while the rest will
pass less cautiously. Golden-Eyes are not unfre-
quently seen in winter on the lakes at Crichel and
Morden Park, and about Littlesea and Abbotsbury,
but more frequently off the open coast. A small flock
appeared on Weymouth Backwater, December 9, 1871
(W. Thompson). Several were killed in January
and February 1879 about Poole and Wareham, and
in Kimmeridge Bay.

LONG-TAILED DUCK. Harelda glacialis, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 446; Harting, p. 66; Dresser, vi. p. 617; Ibis
List, p. 133; Fuligula glacialis, Seebohm, iii. p. 598; Anas
glacialis, Pulteney's List, p. 20.

The Long-tailed Duck arrives annually on our
coast as a winter visitant. It is a hardy bird, and

160 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

remains in the North as long as any surface of water
remains unfrozen. Pulteney says of it :— " It visits
the county of Dorset in hard winters, and has been
shot at St. Giles." In 1840 two were shot at Poole
as late as the month of May ; a young male in the
Portland Roads, January 17, 1852 ; one on the Wey-
mouth Backwater in January 1857; one shot and
another seen on the Fleet, Abbotsbury, in December
1874 ; an immature female shot at Poole in December
1885. In November 1887 several of these birds
frequented Poole harbour, and five were shot. One
of these, an old male in good plumage, I secured
for my collection ; the other four were immature
birds.

EIDER DUCK. Somateria ?nollissima, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 457; Harting, p. 67; Dresser, vi. p. 629; See-
bohm, iii. p. 6 1 6 ; Ibis List, p. 1 34.

Although it breeds in the North of England and
Scotland, the Eider Duck is a rare straggler to
Dorsetshire. A few appear to wander southward
down the east coast in autumn, and find their way
into the English Channel, passing along the Dorset-
shire coast to Devon and Cornwall. One was shot
at Poole in 1868; a young bird was killed on the
Fleet, out of a flock of Wigeon, in December 1869.
Nine were seen at the same place, November 27,
1871, of which four were shot (W. Thompson). One
was obtained at Poole, November 26, 1884.

DUCKS. 161

COMMON SCOTER. (Edemia nigra, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 472; Harting, p. 66; Dresser, vi. p. 663;
zs#, p. 135 ; Fuligula nigra, Seebohm, iii. p. 602.

The "Black Duck," as it is locally called, is a
common winter visitant, and often seen in flocks off
the coast, as well as in the estuaries. It especially
affects the rocky coast at Kimmeridge. In the
winter of 1 863, after a severe gale, Mr. H. Symmonds
rode one down at Milborne St. Andrew's, which is
not less than sixteen miles from the sea. In 1881
one was shot at Swanage.

VELVET SCOTEK. (Edemia fusca, L.

Tarrell, iv. p. 476; Harting, p. 67 ; Dresser, vi. p. 657 ; Ibis
List, p. 135 ; Fuligula fusca, Seebohm, iii. p. 605 ; Anas
fusca, Pulteney's List, p. 20.

The Velvet Scoter, which may always be known
from the preceding species by the white bar across
the wing and a spot of the same colour near the eye,
is an accidental visitor to our coast in winter, mixing
with the Common Scoter in the proportion of not
more than one in twenty, Pulteney says of it : —
" This Duck is seldom seen in Dorset ; a female was
shot on the Stour near Blandford." The late Mr.
W. Thompson of Weymouth saw one at a poulterer's
shop in Poole, January 5, 1856, which had been shot
in the harbour. Another was procured in Portland
Eoads, February 2, 1869. Colonel Hawker, in his
" Instructions to Young Sportsmen," states that he

162 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

has killed these ducks on the Dorsetshire coast about
August, which would be unusually early in the
autumn for them to appear.

SURF SCOTER. (Edemt'a pergpieillata, (L.)

Yarrell, iv. p. 481 : Harting, p. 162 ; Dresser, vi. p. 669 ; Ibis
List, p. 136; Fuligula perspicillata, Setbohm, iii. p. 607.

So far as I am aware, only two examples of the
Surf Scoter have been met with within the limits of
the county, namely, one near Weymouth in the
winter of 1851 (Yarrell), and the other, a young
male, shot in Weymouth Backwater in company with
a Golden-Eye in December 1853 (Zoologist, 1854,
P- 4255)-

GOOSANDER. Mergus merganser, L.

Yarrell, vi. p. 488 ; Harting, p. 68 ; Dresser, vi. p. 685 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 625 ; Ibis List, p. 136 ; Pulteneys List, p. 19.

During the winter months the Goosander is not
an unfrequent visitor to the estuaries and tidal
harbours. Pulteney notices a pair which were shot
at Bryanston in 1776 ; and one procured at the same
place in 1815 is in Viscount Portman's collection.
The late Mr. W. Thompson of Weymouth noted it
as being occasionally shot in that neighbourhood,
and probably more have been met with than have
come to my knowledge, for professional gunners
confound the Goosander (especially the females and
immature males) with the Red-breasted Merganser,

DUCKS. 163

next to be mentioned. One was shot in the Holme
Meadows, January 1866; a male and female in the
Fleet, December 14, 1874 ; three seen and one killed
at Lodmoor, December 3, 1872; two more were
shot on the Wareham river during the same winter ;
one killed at Hyde in the collection of Mr. C. Rad-
clyffe ; and a male and female shot in Poole harbour,
December 1882.

EED-BBEASTED MEBGA^SER. Mergus xrrator, L.

Yarrett, iv. p. 494 ; Harting, p. 67 ; Dresser, vi p. 693 ; See-
bohm, iii. p. 629 ; Ibis Lift, p. 136 ; Pidienetfs Lift, p. 19.

Commoner a good deal than the last-named, the
Red-breasted Merganser is a regular winter visi-
tant. Pulteney has included it in his catalogue as
having been "shot in the Stour, 1776, and in
several other places." One was obtained at Ens-
bury in the winter of 1846; two at Poole in the
winter of 1872-73 ; in February 1870 Mr. Frederick
Fane saw a number on the Avon, five or six of
which were males ; one, a female, was shot at Hyde
in December 1878 ; a male and a female in Poole
harbour, December 1882. Mr. Pike says that this
bird arrives in November in flocks, a hundred or
more being seen together in the harbours. " They
are very wary and are rarely shot. When they get
into a narrow channel and commence diving for fish,
the gulls hover over them in a very excited manner,
occasionally darting down to the surface of the water.
Probably the advent of so many Mergansers diving

164 THE BIRDS OF DORSET.

and rushing about in the confined waters of a mud
channel drives the fish in all directions and affords
the gulls a chance of securing some on the surface.
A fine Merganser met with its end in an unusual way
in the winter of 1883. On emerging after a dive,
it was observed to be in difficulties, finally coming
ashore with something attached to its bill. The bird
was caught and found to have inserted its bill into
a large cockle weighing several ounces, which had
closed its valves upon it and held both the mandibles
securely.

Note. — In a " Catalogue of the Mammalia, Birds,
&c., found in Dorsetshire," contributed by the late
Mr. J. C. Dale to the Naturalist, edited by Neville
Wood (vol. ii., 1837, p. 181), and which is little more
than a bare list of names, the Hooded Merganser,
Mergus cucullatus, is included. This is probably a
mistake, as no particulars of any kind are afforded,
which, in the case of so rare a bird, would scarcely
have been omitted intentionally. So far as I am
aware, there is no evidence of the occurrence of this
species in Dorsetshire.

SMEW. Mergus alMhis, L.

Yarrdl, iv. p. 499 ; Harting, p. 67 ; Dresser, vi. p. 699 ; Seebohm,
iii. p. 636; Ibis List, p. 137 ; Pulteney's List, p. 19.

Although never very numerous as a species, the
Smew occurs every winter, generally in small flocks,
which soon become scattered about our bays and

DUCKS. 165

estuaries, many individuals finding their way for
some distance up the rivers. Pulteney remarks that
in hard winters it has been " shot on the coast, about
the fleets at Poole, upon the Stour at Bryanston, and
about Morden pond and decoy." Nine were shot
in Portland Koads in one week in the winter of
1 849-50, about which time others were shot at Wey-
mouth. Mr. H. Groves has a pair procured at Wey-
mouth in the winter of 1857. In January 1860 a
fine male was killed on the water in Morden Park,
and since that date scarcely a winter elapses without
several being reported from different parts of the
coast, or from inland waters at no great distance
from the sea.

The male Smew in fully adult plumage is rarely
obtained, females and young birds being more fre-
quently met with. Young males during their first
year resemble the females, and do not attain the
white plumage of the adult male until their second
autumn moult ; at which period also the young
females assume the adult plumage, and exhibit for
the first time the black lores. It is somewhat
curious that Colonel Hawker, who must have been
well acquainted with the wild-fowl frequenting the
coast of Dorsetshire, makes no mention of this
species.

APPENDIX.

MONTAGU'S HARRIER (page 12).

At Winterbourne Kingston, on the 24th June 1887, whilst a
carter in the'employ of Mr. E. Besent was cutting a field of clover
with a mowing-machine, he disturbed a large hawk from her nest,
which was immediately joined by another equal in size, but of
lighter plumage. The sudden apparition of so large a bird fright-
ened the horse, but before the machine reached the nest, the carter
descried it. It was on the bare ground, about the size of a man's
hat, composed of grass and feathers, and contained four eggs,
which were bluish white, with very indistinct reddish spots, and
slightly incubated. On comparing one of these with a series in
the Natural History Museum it was apparent that it belonged to
Montagu's Harrier, Circus cineraceus. The grass in the neighbour-
hood of the nest was much damaged and trodden down. The birds
frequented the neighbourhood for some days afterwards. They
were seen in a field of sainfoin a quarter of a mile from the clover-
field before and after the 24th ; and during the course of cutting it,
in the month of July, the mowing-machine disturbed " a large brown
hawk." No nest was found, though Mr. Besent thinks there was
one destroyed by the machine. Some time afterwards I saw two
Harriers on the wing, either birds of the year or females, leisurely
beating a stubble-field within half a mile of Kingston.

BLACK GROUSE (page 68).

Sixty years ago, when the condition of the country was more
favourable to the bird's habits, and there was much less shooting
than at present, black game was more plentiful in Dorsetshire,
especially towards the Hampshire border.

APPENDIX. 167

Colonel Hawker has left a record of what was in his time con-
sidered a good day's sport with Black Grouse in the South of
England. He writes : l —

"The best, or at all events one of the best, day's black-game
shooting that was ever known, I believe, in these parts [i.e., the
borders of Hants and Dorset], I had with the late Mr. John
Ponton at Uddens. We found on this gentleman's manor eleven
brace in one day, which was considered by the keepers extra-
ordinary success ; and we killed eight brace without missing a
shot. But notwithstanding all our birds were as strong and as
large as the old ones, we never even saw an old cock the whole
day.2 The black game here are briefly called 'poults.' The
fagging for them is the hardest labour of any sport I know,
because you have to work in the hottest weather through stiff
heath, which is so much intercepted by fir plantations and bogs,
as for the most part to prevent your riding ; and from the very
few shots that you are likely to get in a day, you have not the
same encouragement as in the abundant sport of grouse-shooting.
But, notwithstanding all, I was never so much pleased with any
day's sport as with my first day's black-game shooting in Dorset-
shire. "

WOODCOCK (page 89).

The following incident, related by Colonel Hawker in his
"Instructions to Young Sportsmen" (ed. 1859, p. 275), as having
occurred not only in Dorsetshire, but on the property of the
present writer, seems especially appropriate for quotation in a
book on the birds of this county. Colonel Hawker observes : —

"To prove that Woodcocks, on having migrated into this
country, will repair to the same haunts for a succession of winters,
I shall mention a circumstance, not as having pilfered it from Mr.

1 "Instructions to Young Sportsmen,''' ed. 1859, p. 235.

2 The cause of the escape of the old cocks was not due so much,
perhaps, to their wariness on this occasion, as to their being in the
neighbouring woods or plantations. I believe they usually spend the
clay on the tops of the highest trees, keeping a vigilant eye on what
is passing around. During many years' experience, I never recollect
seeing an old cock on our heaths, only* grey hens and poults.—
J. C. M. P.

1 68 APPENDIX.

Bewick or Mr. Daniel, but because it was related to me by the
late Mr. Pleydell himself when I was at Whatcombe House, where
the bird is now preserved. In Clenston Wood (a covert belonging
to the above place in Dorsetshire) a Woodcock was taken alive in
one of the rabbit nets, in the month of February 1798. Mr.
Pleydell, after having a piece of brass marked, and passed round its
left leg, allowed the bird to be set at liberty ; and in the month of
December following, he shot this Woodcock in the very same
coppice where it had been first caught by his gamekeeper."

The same story is given somewhat differently in Bewick's
"British Birds" (vol. ii. ed. 1805, p. 63, note), to which work it
was communicated by Sir John Trevelyan. Thus : —

"In the winter of 1797 (i.e. 1797-98), the gamekeeper of
E. M. Pleydell, Esq., of Whatcombe in Dorsetshire, brought him a
Woodcock which he had caught in a net set for rabbits, alive and
unhurt. Mr. Pleydell scratched the date upon a bit of thin brass,
and bent it round the Woodcock's leg, and let it fly. In Decem-
ber the next year [i.e., December 1798], Mr. Pleydell shot this
bird with the brass about its leg in the very same wood where it
had been first caught by the gamekeeper."

Neither version is quite correct. The facts are these -.—Three
Woodcocks were caught in the Whatcombe coverts the same year
in the month of February. My grandfather, after placing a brass
ring on a leg of each, let them go, and all three were killed the
following winter. Two were preserved, and are still here at
Whatcombe; the other escaped notice until after it had been
cooked and sent to table, when the discoloured ring attracted
attention. I think it may be inferred that the three birds had
remained here the whole year. — J. C. M. P.

INDEX.

Accentor modularis, 22.
Accipiter nisus, 7.
Acredula caiidata, 35.

„ rosea, 35.

Acrocephalus arundinaceus, 27.
„ ncevius, 28.

„ phragmitis, 27.

„ schcenobcenus, 27.

„ streperus, 27.

jEjialitis hiaticula, Si.
„ cantiana, 81.
/lJau<fo alpestris, 40.
„ arborea, 40.
„ arvensis, 40.
„ minor, 38.
„ pratensis, 39.
„ trivialis, 38.
^LZca aWe, 117.
„ arctica, 117.
„ gr»-i/We, 1 1 6.
„ impennis, Introduction.

115.
i/«, 1 1 6.
Alcedo ispida, 61.
Aluco fiammeus, 13.
Ampelis garrulus, 36.
^Inow acwto, 153.
„ albifrons, 136.
„ anser, 135.
„ bernicla, 139.
„ boscas, 149.
„ circia, 154.
„ clangula, 159.
„ clypeata, 152.
„ crecca, 155.
„ CJ/grn«s, 140.

S) 138.

Anasferina, 156.

„ fusca, 161.

„ glacialis, 159.

„ marila, 158.

„ penelope, 155.

., qiwrquedula, 154.

., ntiens, 152.

„ segetum, 136.

„ strepera, 152.

„ tadorna, 147.
^l?iscr wgyptiacus, 139.

„ albifrons, 136.

„ bernicla, 139.

„ brachyrhynchus, 137.

„ brenta, 139.

„ cinereus, 135.

„ cj/jfnws, 140.

„ /erws, 135.

„ leucopsis, 138.

„ segetum, 137.
Anthus arbor eus, 38.

„ obscurus, 39.

„ pratensis, 39.

„ richardi, 39.

„ trivialis, 38.
Aquila chrysaetus, I.

„ lagopus, 9.
Archibuteo lagopus, 9.
.4rdea cinerea, 128.

„ comaia, 129.

„ mnttto, 130.

„ purpurea, 129.

„ ralloides, 129.

„ stellaris, 131^

^5to accipitrinut, 14.

170

INDEX.

Asia brachyotus, 14.

„ otus, 14.

Astur palumbariuS) 7.
Auk, Great, Introduction x.

„ Little, 117.
Avocet, 84.

BARNACLE, 138.
Barn Owl, 13.
Bar-tailed God wit, 99.
Bean Goose, 137.
Bearded Titmouse, 36.
Bee-eater, 60.
Bernida brenta, 139.

„ leucopsi's, 138.
Bewick's Swan, 141.
Bittern, American, 131.

„ Common, 131.

„ Little, 130.
Blackbird, 21.
Black Grouse, 68.
Blackcap, 30.
Bluethroat, 24.
Blue Tit, 34.
Bohemian "Wax wing, 36.
Botaurus lentiyinosus, 131.

„ minutus, 130.

„ stellaris, 131.
Brambling, 43.
Brent Goose, 1 39.
Bullfinch, 48.
Bunting Girl, 42.

„ Corn, 41.

„ Reed, 41.

„ Snow, 41.
Bustard, Great, 74.

„ Little, 76.
Buteo lagopus, 9.
„ vulgaris, 8.
Buzzard, Common, 8.

., Honey, 9.

„ Rough-legged, 9.

Caccabis ru/a, 69.
Calamophilus biurmicus, 36.

Calidris arenaria, 95.
Caprimulgus europceus, 57.
Carduelis elegans, 46.
„ spinus, 46.
Certhia familiaris, 33.
Chaffinch, 43.
Charadrius calidfis, 95.
„ cantianus, 8 1 .
„ hiaticula, 81.
„ himantopus, 85.
„ interpres, 83.
,, morinellus, 80.
„ (edicnemus, 77.
. „ pluvialis, 81.
Chaulelasmus streperus, 152.
Chelidon urbica, 56.
Clwndlopej; cegyptiacus, 1 39.
Chiffchaff, 32.
Chough, 50.
Chrysomitris spinm, 46.
Ciconia alba, 132.

„ nigra, 133.
Cinclus aquaticus, 19.
Circus ceruginosiis, 10.
„ cineraceus, 12.
„ cyaneus, u.
Cirl Bunting, 42.
Clangula glaiwion, 1 59.
Coccothraustes Moris, 45.

„ vulgaris, 45.

Collared Pratincole, 78.
Columba cenas, 65.
„ Kvt'a, 66.
„ palumbus, 65.
„ turtur, 67.
Colymbus arcticus, 120.
„ auntus ft, 124.
„ glacialis, 119.
„ jrryWe, 116.
„ immer, 119.
„ septentrionalis, 120.
„ <»w7e, 1 1 6.
Coot, 73.

Cwacias garndu, 60.
Cormorant, 125.
Corn-Bunting, 41.
i Corncrake, 71.

INDEX.

171

Corvus corax, 52.
„ comix, 53.
„ corone, 53.
„ frugilegus, 54.
„ glandarius, 55.
„ graculus, 50.
„ monedula, 55.
„ pea, 55.
Gotile riparia, 56.
Cotimiix communis, 70.

„ vulgaris, 70.
Courser, Cream-coloured, 79.
Crake, Corn, 71.
„ Little, 72.
„ Spotted, 71.
Crane, 73.
Creeper Tree, 33.
Crex parva, 72.
„ porzana, 71.
„ pratensis, 71.
„ pusilla, 72.
Crossbill, 48.
Crow, 53.

„ Hooded, 53.
Cuckoo, 58.
Cuculus canorus, 58.
Curlew, 100.

„ Sandpiper, 93.
„ Stone, 77.
Cursorim gallicus, 79.
Cyanecula suecica, 24.

„ wolfii, 24.
Cygnus lewicki, 141.
„ immutabilis, 145.
„ ?>wi«stte<its, 141.
„ minor, 141.
„ ?fttwictts, 140.
„ oior, 141.

Cymochorea leuconhoa, 1 1 4.
Cypselus apus, 56.

DABCHICK, 124.
Didapper, 124.
Dafilct acuta, 1534
Dartford Warbler, 28.
Uatdias luscinia, 23.

Dendrocopm major, 62.
„ medius, 63.

„ minor, 63.

„ pubescens, 64.

Dipper, 19.
Diver, Black- throated, 120.

„ Great Northern, 119.

„ Ked-throated, 120.
Dotterel, 80.
Dove, Ring, 65.

„ Rock, 66.

„ Stock, 65.

„ Turtle, 67.
Dryocopus martius, 64.
Duck, Eider, 160.

„ Ferruginous, 157.

„ Gad wall, 152.

„ Garganey, 154.

„ Golden Eye, 159.

„ Long-tailed, 159.

„ Pintail, 153.

„ Pochard, 156.

„ „ Red-crested, 156.

„ Scaup, 158.

„ Shoveller, 152.

„ Tufted, 158.

„ White-eyed, 157.

„ Wild, 149.
Dunlin, 91.

EAGLE, Golden, r.

„ White-Tailed, T.
Eider Duck, 160.
Emberiaa cirlus, 42.

„ citrinella, 42.

„ miliaria, 41.

„ nivalis, 41.

„ schceniclus, 41.
Erithacus rubecula, 23.

„ luscinia, 23.

„ suecica, 24.
Eikdromias morinellus, So.

Falco (eruginosus, 10.
5.

172

Falco apivonis, 9.
„ buteo, 8.
„ candicans, 3.
„ cyaneus, ir.
„ fulvus, i.
„ haliaetiis, 2.
„ islandus, 3.
„ islandicus, 3.
„ milvus, 7.
„ nisus, 7.
„ ossifragus, i.
„ palumbarius, 7.
„ peregrinus, 3.
„ subbuteo, 5.
„ (iwmwcufats, 6.
Falcon, Iceland, 3.

„ Peregrine, 3.
Fieldfare, 21.
Firecrest, 32.
Flycatcher, Pied, 18.

„ Spotted, 17.
Fratercula arctica, 117.
Fringilla ccelebs, 43.
„ cannabina, 47.
„ carduelis, 46.
„ chloris, 45.
„ domestica, 44.
„ flavirostris, 48.
„ linaria, 47.
„ montifringilla, 43.
„ montium, 48.
„ rufesceris, 46.
„ spinws, 47.
Fidica atra, 73.

„ chloropus, 73.
Fuligula clangula, 1 59.
„ cristata, 158.
„ /mna, 156.
„ ferruginea, 157.
„ fusca, 1 6 1.
„ glacialis, 159.
„ wiari^a, 1 58.
„ nigra, 161.
„ wj/roca, 157.
„ perspicillata, 162.
„ rw/ina, 156.
Fulmar, 112.

Falmarus ylacialis, 1 1 2.

GADWALL, 152.
Gallinago coslestis, go.
„ gallinula, 91.

„ media, go.
Gallinula chloropus, 73.
Gannet, 127.
Garden Warbler, 31.
Garganey, 154.
Garrulus glandarius, 55.
Gecinus viridis, 62.
Glareola pratincola, 78.
Glossy Ibis, 136.
Godwit, Bar-tailed, 99.

„ Black-tailed, 98.
Gold Crest, 32.
Golden Eagle, i.
Golden Eye, 159.
Golden Oriole, 18.
„ Plover, 8 1.
Goldfinch, 46.
Goosander, 162.
Goose, Bernacle, 138.

„ Bean, 137.

„ Brent, 139.

» Egyptian, 139.

„ Gray Lag, 135.

„ Pink-footed, 137.

„ White-fronted, 136.
Goshawk, 7.
Graculus carbo, 125.

„ cristatus, 126.
Grasshopper Warbler, 28.
Grebe, Eared, 123.

„ Great Crested, 121.

„ Little, 124.

„ Pied-billed, 124.

„ Red-necked, 122.

„ Sclavonian, 123.
Greenfinch, 45.
Greenshank, 98.
Green Woodpecker, 62.
Grouse, Black, 68.
Grus cinerea, 73.

INOEX.

173

Grus communis, 73.
Guillemot, Black, 116.
„ Common, 116.
„ Einged, 116.
Gull, Black-headed, 107.
„ Common, 107.
„ Glaucous, 109.
„ Greater Black - backed,

1 08.

„ Herring, 108.
„ Ivory, 1 10.
„ Kittiwake, 109.
„ Lesser Black - backed,

108.
„ Little, 1 06.

Hcematopus ostrakgus, 84.
Haliaetus albicilla, 97.
Harelda glacialis, 159.
Harrier, Hen, n.

„ (Marsh, 10.

„ Montagu's, 12.
Hawfinch, 45.
Hedge Sparrow, 22.
Helodromas ochropiis, 96.
Hen Harrier, n.
Heron, Common, 128.

„ Night, 130.

„ Purple, 129.

„ Squacco, 129.
Herring Gull, 108.
Hierofalco islandus, 3.
Himantopus avocetta, 84.
„ candidus, 85.

„ melanopterus, 85.

Hirundo apus, 56.

„ riparia, 56.

„ rustica, 56.

„ vrbica, 56.
Hobby, 5.
Honey Buzzard, 9.
Hooded Crow, 53.

„ Merganser, 164.
Hoopoe, 59.
House Sparrow, 44.
Hydrochelidon hybrida, 103.

Hydrochelidon leucoptera, 102.
„ nigra, 102.

IBIS, Glossy, 136.
Ibis falcinellus, 136.
Iceland Falcon, 3.

Jynx torqiiilla, 65.
Jackdaw, 55.
Jack Snipe, 91.
Jay. 55-

KENTISH Plover, 81.
Kestrel, 6.
Kingfisher, 61.
Kite, 7.

Kittiwake, 109.
Knot, 94.

LANDRAIL, 71.
Lanius auriculatus, 17.

„ collurio, 1 6.

„ excubitor, 16.

„ pomeranus, 17.

„ rufus, 17.

„ rutiltis, 17.
Lapwing, 83.
Lark, Shore, 40.

„ Sky, 40.

„ Wood, 40.
Larus argentatus, 108.

„ canus, 107.

„ eburneus, no.

„ fuscus, 108.

„ glaucus, 109.

„ vnarinus, 108.

„ minutus, 106.

„ ncevius, 108.

„ ridibundus, 107.

„ tridactyhis, 109.

„ rissa, 109.
Lestris catarrhactes, in.

„• parasiticus, in.

„ pomatorhinus, in.

'74

INDEX.

Ligurinus chloris, 45.
Limnocryptes gallinula, 9 1 .
Limosa cegocephala, 98.
„ lapponica, 99.
„ melanura, 98.
Linaria cannabina, 47.
Linnet, 47.
Linota cannabina, 47.

„ flavirostrisy 48.

„ rufescens, 47.
Locustella locustella, 28.

„ navia, 28.
Lomvia troile, 116.
Loxia chloris, 45.

„ coccothranstes, 45.

„ curvirostra, 48.

„ pyrrhula, 48.
Luscinia philomela, 23.

Machetes pugnax, 95.
Magpie, 55.
Manx Shearwater, 113.
Mareca penelope, 155.
Marsh Harrier, 10.

» Tit, 35.
Martin, 56.

„ Sand, 56.
Meadow Pipit, 39.
Melizophilus undatus, 28.
Merganser, Hooded, 164.

„ Red -breasted, 163.
Mergulus aUe, 117.
Mergus albellus, 164.

„ cucullatus, 164.

„ merganser, 162.

„ serrator, 163.
Merlin, 5.
Merops apiaster, 60.
Merula merula, 21.

„ torquata, 22.
Milmis ictimts, 7.

„ rejfo/w, 7.
Missel-Thrush, 20.
Montagu's Harrier, 12.
Moorhen, 73.
Motacilla alba, 37.

Motacilla atricapilla, 30.

„ boarula, 38.

„ cinerea, 30.

„ /ara, 38.

„ lugubris, 37.

,, luscinia, 23.

„ melanope, 38.

„ modularis, 22.

„ cenanthe, 26.

„ jtAomtettrKa, 24.

„ roi/i, 38.

„ rubecula, 23.

„ rubetra, 16.

„ rubicola, 25.

„ salicaria, 27.

„ sibilatrix, 31.

„ sulphurea, 38.

„ trochilus, 31.

„ troglodytes, 33.

„ yare«i, 37.
Muscicapa atricapilla, 18.
17.

NIGHT Heron, 130.
Nightingale, 23.
Nightjar, 56.
Numenius arquata, 100.
„ phceopus, 101.
Nuthatch, 33.
Nyctea nivea, 15.

„ scatidiaca, 15.
Nycticorax griseus, 1 30.

„ nycticorax, 130.
Nyroca ferruginea, 157.

(Edemia fusca, 161.
„ ?i^ra, 161.
„ perspicillata, 162.
CEdicnemus crepitans, 77.
„ scolopax, 77.
Oriole, Golden, 18.
Oriolus galbula, 18.
Osprey, 2.

74.
, 76.

INDEX.

175

Otocorys alpestris, 40.
Otus brachyotus, 14.

„ vulgaris, 14.
Ouzel, Ring, 22.
Owl, Barn, 13.

„ Long-eared, 14.

„ Scops, 15.

„ Short-eared, 14.

„ Snowy, 15.

„ Tawny, 13.
Oyster-Catcher, 84.

Pagophila eburnea, no.
Pandion haliceetus, 2.
Panurus biarmicus, 36.
Partridge, 69.

„ Eed-legged, 69.
Parus ater, 34.

„ britannicus, 34.

„ cceruleus, 34.

„ caudatus, 35.

„ major, 34.

„ palustris, 35.
Passer dometticus, 44.

„ montanus, 44.
Pastor, Rose-coloured, 49.
Pastor roseus, 49.
Peewit, 83.

Pelecanus bassanus, 127.
„ car&o, 125.
„ graculus, 126.
Perdix cinerea, 69.

„ ru/a, 69.
Peregrine Falcon, 3.
Pernis apivorus, 9.
Petrel, Fork-tailed, 114.

„ Storm, 114.
Phalacrooorax carlo, 125.

„ graculus, 126.

Phalarope, Grey, 85.

„ Red-necked, 88.
Phalaropus fulicarius, 85.

„ hyperboreus, 88.

Phasianus Colchicus, 69.
Pheasant, 69.
Phyllopneuste rufa, 32.

Phyllopneuste sibilatrix, 31.
„ trochilus, 31.

P/iylloscopus collybita, 32.
„ nt/ws, 32.

„ sibilatrix, 31.

„ trochilus, 31.
Pica cattdato, 55.
„ rustica, 55.
Pictts major, 62.
„ mar titis, 64.
„ medius, 63.
„ minor, 63.
„ pubescens, 64.
Ptcws viridis, 62.
Pigeon, Wood, 65.
Pintail, 153.
Pipit, Meadow, 39.
„ Richard's, 39.
„ Rock, 39.
„ Tree, 38.
Platalea leucorodia, 133.
Platea leucorodia, 133.
Plectrophanes nivalis, 41.
Plegadis falcinellus, 134.
Plover, Golden, 81.
„ Grey, 82.
„ Kentish, 8r.
„ Ringed, 81.
Pochard, 156.

„ Red-crested, 156.
Podiceps auritus, 123.
„ cornutus, 123.
„ cristatus, 121.
,, fluviatilis, 124.
„ griseigena, 122.
„ minor, 123.
„ nigricollis, 123.
„ rubricollis, 122.
Podilymbus podiceps, 124.
Polish Swan, 145.
Pomatorhine Skua, in.
Porzana maruetta, 71.

„ parva, 72.
Pratincola rubetra, 26.
„ rubicola, 25.
Pratincole, Collared, 78.
Procellaria, leachii, 1 14.

i76

INDEX.

Procellaria leucorrhoa, 114.
„ pelagica, 114.
„ puffinus, 112.
Puffin, 117.
Puffinus anglorum, 113.

„ major, 1 1 2.

„ griseus, 113.

„ obscurus, 113.
Purple Heron, 129.
Purple Sandpiper, 94.
Pyrrhocorax graculus, 50.
Pyrrhula europcea, 48.

„ vulgaris, 48.

QUAIL, 70.

Querquedula circia, 154.
„ crecca, 155.

RAIL, Water, 72.
Rallus aquaticus, 72.

„ croc, 71.
Raven, 52.
Razor-Bill, 115.
Recurvirostra avocetta, 84.
Redbreast, 23.
Redpoll, Lesser, 47.
Redshank, 97.

„ Spotted, 98.
Redstart, 24.

„ Black, 25.
Redwing, 21.
Reed Bunting, 41.

„ Warbler, 27.
Reeve, 95.
Eegulus cristatits, 32.

„ ignicapillus, 32.
Richard's Pipit, 39.
Richardson's Skua, in.
Ring Dove, 65.
Ring Ouzel, 22.
Ringed Plover, 81.
Missa tridactyla, 109.
Rock Dove, 66.
Rock Pipit, 39.
Roller, 60.

Rook, 54.

Ruff, 95.

Ruticilla phoenicunis, 24.
„ suecica, 24.'
„ tithys, 25.

Salicaria locustella, 28.

„ phragmitis, 27.

„ strepera, 27.
Sanderling, 95.
Sand-Martin, 56.
Sandpiper, Common, 96.
„ Curlew, 93.
„ Green, 96.
„ Purple, 94.
„ Wood, 97.
Sandwich Tern, 104.
Saxicola ananthe, 26.

,, rubetra, 26.

,, rubicola, 25.
Scaup, 158.

Sclavonian Grebe, 123.
Scolopax arquata, 100.

„ calidris, 97.

„ gallinago, 90.

„ gallinula, 91.

„ lapponica, 98.

,, major, 89.

„ noveboracensis, 99

„ phceopus, 101.

„ rusticula, 89.
Scops ffiu, 1 5.

„ scops, 15.
Scops Owl, 15.
Scoter, Common, 161.

„ Surf, r6i.

„ Velvet, 1 6 1.
Sedge Warbler, 27.
Shag, 128.

Shearwater, Dusky, 113.
„ . Great, 112.
„ Manx, 113.
Sheldrake, 147.

„ Ruddy, 146.
Shoveller, 152.
Shrike, Great Grey, 16.

INDEX.

177

Shrike, Red-backed, 16.
Siskin, 46.
Sitta ccesia, 33.

„ europcea. 33.
Skua, Great, in.

„ Pomatorliine, in.
„ Richardson's, 11 1.
Skylark, 40.
Smew, 164.
Snipe, Common, 90.
„ Great, 89.
„ Jack, 91.
„ Sabine's, 91.
„ Solitary, 89.
Snow Bunting, 41.
Snowy Owl, 15.
Sparrow, Hedge, 22.
„ House. 44.
„ • Tree, 44.
Sparrow-Hawk, 7.
Spatula clypeata, 1 52.
Spoonbill, 133.
Spotted Crake, 71.
., Flycatcher, 17.
„ Redshank, 98.
Squacco Heron, 129.
Squatarola helvetica, 82.
Starling, 49.

Stercorarius catarrhactes, in.
„ crepidatus, in.

,, pomarinus, in.
„ pomatorhinus, ill.
., Richardsoni, in.

Sterna arctica, 105.
,, cantiaca, 104.
„ caspio,, 103.
„ dougalli, 104.
,, fissipes, 1 02.
„ fluviatilis, 105.
„ fiirundo, 105.
,, hybrida, 103.
„ leucoptera, 102.
,. macrura, 105.
„ minuta, 106.
,, ncevia, 102.
„ nigra, 102.
Stilt, Black-winged, 85.

Stint, Little, 92.
Stock Dove, 65.
Stonechat, 25.
Stone Curlew, 77.
Stork, Black, 133.

„ White, 132.
Storm Petrel, 1 14.
Strepsilas interpres, 83.
Strix aluco, 13.

„ brachyotus, 14.

„ flammea, 13.

„ otus, 14.
Sturnus vulgaris, 49.
Sula bassana, 69.
Surf Scoter, 98.
Surnia nyctea, 1 5.
Swallow, 56.
Swan, Bewick's, 141.

„ Mute, 141.

„ Polish, 145.

,, Tame, 141.

„ Wild, 140.
Swift, 56.
Sylvia atricapilla, 30.

„ cinerea, 30.

„ curruca, 30.

„ cyaneculus, 24.

„ hortensis, 31.

„ leucocyanea, 24.

„ provincialis, 28.

„ rufa, 30.

„ salicaria, 31.

„ sylviella, 30.

„ undata, 28.

„ Wolfii, 24.
Syrnium aluco, 13.

Tachybaptes fluviatilis, 124.
Tadorna casarca, 146.
„ cornuta, 147.
„ rutila, 146.
„ vulpanser, 147.
Teal, 155.
Tern, Arctic, 105.
„ Black, 1 02.
„ Caspian, 103.

i78

INDEX.

Tern, Common, 105.
„ Lesser, 106.
„ Eoseate, 104.
„ Sandwich, 104.
„ Whiskered, 103.
„ White-winged Black, 102.
Tetrao coturnix, 70.
„ perdix, 69.
„ rufus, 69.
„ tetrix, 68.
Tkalassidroma leucorrhoa, 1 14.

„ pelagica, 1 14.

Thrush, Missel, 20.

„ Song, 20.
Tinnunculus alatidarius, 6.
Titmouse, Bearded, 36.
„ Blue, 34.
„ Coal, 34.
„ Long-tailed, 35.
„ Great, 34.
„ Marsh, 35.
Totanus calidris, 97.
„ canescens, 98.
„ fuscus, 98.
,, glareola, 97.
„ glottis, 98.
„ hypoleucus, 96.
„ melanura, 98.
., ochropus, 96.
„ pugnax, 95.
„ rufus, 99.
Tree Creeper, 33.
„ Sparrow, 44.
Tringa alpina, 91.
„ canutus, 94.
„ cinclus, 91,92.
„ hypoleucus, 96.
„ interpres, 83.
„ lobata, 85.
„ maritima, 94.
„ mimita, 92.
., ochropus, 96.
„ striata, 94.
„ subarquata, 93.
„ temmincki, 93.
,, vanellus, 83.
Tringoides hypoleucus, 96.

Troglodytes parvulus, 33.
Tufted Duck, 158.
Turdus iliacus, 21.

„ merula, 21.

„ musicus, 20.

„ pilaris, 21.

„ roseus, 49.

„ torquatus, 22.

,, mscivorus, 20.
Turnstone, 83.
Turtle Dove, 67.
Turtur auritus, 67.

„ communis, 67.

„ vulgaris, 67.
Twite, 48.
Upupa epops, 59.
?7rra grylle, 116.
l/ria <rot7e, 1 16.

cristatus, 83.!
vulgaris, 83.

WAGTAIL, Grey, 38.
„ Pied, 37.
Yellow, 38.
White, 37.
Warbler, Black- cap, 25.

„ Blue-throated, 24.

„ Dartford, 28.

„ Garden, 31.

„ Grasshopper, 28.

„ Reed, 27.

„ Sedge, 27.

„ Willow, 31.

„ Wood, 31.
Water Rail, 72.
Wax wing, 36.
Wheatear, 26.
Whimbrel, 101.
Whinchat, 26.
Whitethroat, Common, 30.

„ Lesser, 30.

Whooper, 140.
Wigeon, 155.
Woodchat, 17.

INDEX.

179

Woodcock, 89.
Woodlark, 40.
Woodpecker, Black, 64.

„ Downy, 64.

„ Green, 62.

„ Spotted, 62.

„ Lesser spotted, 63.

Middle spotted, 63.

Wood Pigeon, 65.
Wren, 33.

„ Fire-crested, 32.

„ Golden-crested, 32.
Wryneck, 65 .

YELLOWHAMMER, 42.

THE END.

1'RINTED BV BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.
EDINBURGH ANLI LONDON.