153 llfl

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

SUNDRY

NATURAL HISTORY SCRAPS

ESPECIALLY ABOUT BIRDS.

o.

XET -TYXE:

i;D BY J. B] -IREET.

|lorfolh anb llortorclj

SUNDRY

NATURAL HISTORY SCRAPS

MOKE

JIALLY ABOUT BIEDS.

BY

O.

NEWCASTLE-OX-TYNE :

PRINTED BY J. BELL AND CO., RAILWAY BANK, PILGRIM STREET.
1879.

INDEX.

1'AGE.

A Naturalist's View of Close Time, &c 1 to 18

Wild Fowl in the London Parks and elsewhere 1,, 10

Protection of Wild Birds and Preservation of Wild Fowl 1 ,, 13

Migration of Birds 1

Migratory Birds 2

Do. 3,, 7

British Birds in India and America 7 ,, 10

Stray Thoughts about Birds 11,, 17

The Woodcock 17

Sandgrouse, &c 18 ,, 27

Ou what are called Genera and Species 27 ,, 30

On Hybrids, &c. (Grouse, &c.) 31 „ 30

Observations on Breeding Place, &c., of Knot 36 ,, 41

The Knot and other Shore Birds 41,, 45)

The Sanderling 49 ,, 52

Spotted Redshank and other Birds 52,, 56

Vernal Migration of Little Stint 56

Spoonbills shot in Suffolk 57,, 60

Common Sandpiper 60

Schinz Sandpiper 61 ,, 63

On the alterations time, &c., may have made in some kinds of

Animals 63,, <J8

The Golden Plover 68,, 70

Wild Geese 70,, 72

Wigeon 72 „ 73

Eider Duck 74

Sphinx Convolvuli 75,, 77

The Shearwater, &c. 77,, 78

Water-rail's Nest in Northumberland 70

Prestwick Car, Birds frequenting 80,, 93

Little Bittern . .. '.);; „ 98

PREFACE,

HAVING for many years taken considerable interest in Birds, more
particularly Water Birds, and having collected some of the kinds
in their various states of plumage at the different seasons, I have
sometimes made notes respecting them. From such these scraps
have been compiled, and I venture to hope they may afford
amusement, if not some trifling instruction, to those who may
have the opportunity to see them.

An apology seems due for my venturing to write on what is
perhaps usually considered a thread-bare subject, and especially
for putting these scraps into their present form, but the lover of
Nature seems never to become tired of reading another's ideas,
who has devoted some of his attention to her works ; and really,
when we consider that the more we know we only find out how
truly ignorant we are, it gives one some encouragement to try
and find out more about them. Whatever number of us there
may be interested in such like pursuits, each one will most cer-
tainly observe things differently and represent them according to
his ideas ; and I would guard all readers against adopting any
particular writers' theories or statement of facts or probabilities,
so different are men's views, and so will be their manner of re-
presenting and describing them.

No one can expect his work to be without many errors, but I
need only add, if the perusal of these miscellaneous writings
(which I fear contain many repetitions) give any one a slight
stimulus in the direction of following a most interesting study

IV.

my object is attained : my having made notes originally was to
acquire information and not to give it.

Much of what a man knows must die with him at any rate,
however much he writes. I believe, however, those who do
write, on reading afterwards what they have written a few years
before, if they wrote again would find that their writings must
contain many alterations, and even perhaps contradictions.

Such a subject as the present is inexhaustible, and there will
always be food for the mind for all beginners to enquire after
and to find.

I do not venture to take the trouble or responsibility of printing
these scraps except merely as presents to those I meet with who
might take interest in them, and I trust they will not criticize
my occasional employment too severely.

It is impossible for me to exaggerate the amusement and plea-
sure I have derived for years in acquiring the information which
is contained in these scraps, and these must be taken as the apo-
logy for my conceit in wishing them not to be entirely lost sight
of.

North Jcsmond, Ncwcastle-on-Tyne,
October, 1878.

Perhaps I may add a catalogue of my collection, with the dates
of capture and states of plumage of the birds in it, which in it-
self would show to a certain extent the time of their arrival on
our shores and of their departure, and with some remarks on
some of them.

(FROM THE XATVRAI, HISTORY TRANSACTION'S OF NORTH UMBER&LND,
DURHAM, AND NKWCASFL&-ON- IYXE, VOL. VII]

A Naturalist's View of the Extension of the Close-Time of the
Sea- Birds Preservation Act in Northumberland, and on the pro-
tection of wild Birds generally. By CHAS. MURRAY ADAMSOX.

A FEW weeks ago I observed in the newspapers that the Home-
Secretary had extended the close-time in this county, Northum-
berland, from the 1st day of August to the 1st day of September.

I presume this has especial reference to the birds breeding at
the Fame Islands. These Islands are I believe private property,
and are let at an annual rental : the consequence of this is that
a great number of the eggs are gathered for sale. In addition to
this the poor birds during the summer are disturbed and ill-treated
l>y the numerous steamboat loads of people, often lawless, whom I
am told sometimes overawe the few persons residing on the Is-
lands who ought to be the bird protectors. Under the circum-
stances, however, I rather question their being so. If they are
allowed to make as much money as they can from the eggs, they
of course take those eggs which are most uncommon, and which
bring the highest prices, and thus the rarer species suffer most.

When I visited these Islands early in July, 1875, the keeper
of the outer lighthouse, who said he had been there only a short
time, told me his predecessor had a large family, and that during
the summer time they had lived almost entirely on the eggs.
He had himself a number of eggs ready blown, several of which
I bought for my children at three shillings a dozen. At that
time there were some young birds, among them Puffins nearly
full grown, one of which we took from a hole and returned :
there were also eggs of most of the kinds of birds which breed
on the Islands. Near the end of the month there were young
Gulls and Terns, some flying, on the inner Islands, but we could
not find one young Oyster Catcher, nor did we see old Oyster
Catchers flying about and showing, as they always do by their
anxiety, that they had young. I therefore presume none got
away that year, for we looked pretty closely, as the commander
of the gun-boat whom we were with wanted one for a pet. That
year one Sheldrake's nest was found on the Island, but our in-
formant living there told us he had taken the eggs himself.

2 ON THE SEA-BIRDS PRESERVATION ACT,

That year I do not think any young Cormorants got away, as,
late in July, this species all had recently laid eggs, many nests
having only one egg, and not a young bird was to be seen. Several
young Terns were flying, but there were still plenty of Terns'
eggs. Probably many of these, in consequence of the lateness
of the season, would never be hatched, and if they were, the
old birds would very likely forsake the young before they arrived
at sufficient age to take care of themselves, as the old birds of
some species seem to leave their breeding grounds at a fixed
time, probably to get to some other locality in time to moult or
for some other reason we do not understand. The consequence
of the destruction of the eggs is, that the birds do not hatch
their young at the time Nature intended they should, and their
season is altogether disarranged.

We saw no young Eider Ducks following the old females, many
of which were in flocks. I am quite willing to admit the gross
cruelty practised at these Islands by summer visitors, but the
worst part is perhaps not the shooting; the young birds are
wantonly destroyed, and in 1875 the grass on the Island inha-
bited by the Puffins was set on fire and many of the old birds,
as well as the young, were burnt in their holes. How is a repe-
tition of this to be prevented? In 1874 some young Black-
backed Gulls were not able to fly in September, and we saw at
that late season a young Eider Duck only recently hatched.

During our visits to the Islands in 1875 we did not see the
Roseate Tern ; nevertheless it might be there amongst the num-
ber of birds and escape our observation, although this bird's cry
and flight make it conspicuous to any one knowing it. One of
the Outer Fames was frequented by the Arctic Terns, and one
of the Inner Fames by the Common Tern.

Under the present law it would appear that the owners of land
have no more right to take the eggs on it except such as are espe-
cially protected by Acts of Parliament, than a stranger ; and I
li;iv<> been informed, that some years since the question about the
right or legality of taking the Fame Island eggs was put to the
test. Some men were summoned for taking them; they employed
a lawyer to defend them ; and when the case was to have come

BY CHARLES MURRAY ADAMSON. 3

on it was withdrawn, the prosecuting parties having discovered
there was no law to reach the accused. Generally speaking,
the kinds of birds which suffer most are such as breed in num-
bers together. When they breed in such numbers together and
the eggs are so easily found, great destruction may be made in a
very short time. It is not so where the birds are evenly distri-
buted over a large tract of country. The only remedy against
such wanton mischief would be an Act of Parliament causing
eggs and all other produce on lands to belong to the proprietors
of the soil. This might be done, perhaps, by a Permissive Bill,
whereby the proprietors might be able to protect their property
or not as they thought right.

Now, I would not for one moment defend the destruction or
wanton molestation of breeding birds; I would have them strictly
protected ; but it does seem unnecessarily hard to close the time
for shooting birds in a whole county in order to protect them on
a small portion of ground where they ought to be private pro-
perty. At the present time it would appear to be contrary to
law to prevent any person landing on the Fame Islands between
high and low water mark, and even if they landed above high
water mark, it would be difficult to prove damage on such barren
ground.

In the latter part of July, some years since, Mr. John Hancock
and I visited, with Mr. Losh who then resided in the neighbour-
hood, a breeding place, in Lancashire or Westmorland, of the
Lesser Black-backed Gull, the commonest Fame Island bird;
and they, young and old, had left the district, excepting one
young bird, which was fully fledged, and an old bird, probably its
parent. We then went to Walney Island where the birds were
protected, the Black-headed Gulls and the Sandwich Terns,. the
latter also a common Fame Island bird, had all flown and gone ;
whilst at Fowley, where the birds were not protected, the Com-
mon Tern, and the Roseate Tern, which was there far from un-
common, still had eggs and young. We were told that on this
Island the eggs were gathered to be used in making varnish.*

* It was during this expedition Mr. Hancock shot the Tern with a cockle on its beak,
which he mentions in his Catalogue. It was a rather exceptional bird, I think an

4 OX THE SEA-BIRDS PRESERVATION ACT,

Now from this fact I cannot help thinking, that if the Fame
Island birds had fairplay, the young would have nearly all flown
by the beginning of August.

A naturalist knows that we have on our coast Whimbrels and
Arctic Gulls by the end of July or earlier, whose nearest breeding
grounds are the Orkney and Shetland Islands. The Redshanks'
young, when not molested, can fly by the middle of July ; they
and the Dunlins have by that time left the moors and wastes to
come to the sea side. The Turnstones have come from Norway by
the middle of August, and by the end of the month some of the
young birds even from the Arctic regions have arrived. By the
middle of August the Spotted -Redshank has come from Lapland,
the Wood- Sandpiper and Green- Sandpiper from Sweden ; and
not only this, but by August nearly all the Curlews and Golden-
Plovers have left the moors, and it seems hard if these and such
like migratory birds may not be shot on the shores away from
their breeding grounds before September. Landowners would
hardly like not to be able to shoot Snipes, Plovers, Wild-Ducks,
or Teal, should they meet with them when Grouse shooting in
August ; or because some extensive proprietors chose to take all
the first Grouse eggs off their manors to set under hens, or for any
other purpose whatever, whereby there were nothing but cheepers
on the 12th of August, to have the general shooting postponed for
a month.

A general close-time till September would prevent several sorts
of birds being procured at all in this country, some migrating
entirely before the end of August ; and it seems almost super-
fluous to mention that the sea-birds we have generally in summer
are almost entirely a different set from those which are with us
in winter. So far as the mere existence of species is concerned,
it is doubtful whether the total destruction or driving away of

tare Common Tern, a yonng bird of the previous year, having the front of its head white.
From birds In similar plumage, which are only occasion;! ly m> t \\iili, we m:iy almost sup-
pone they«io not breed the first year aft' r being hatched, but that probably the immature
birds wander over the ocean and do not congregate with tin- breeding birds at their in-ei-d-
ing stations till they arrive at maturity. The circumstance was singular in tl:is respect;
It showed that Terns feed otherwise than by dropping on their prey from the air into
the water, a fact which I wan not aware of before.

1«Y CtfVRLES M rilH AY A DAMSON. 5

those at the Fame Islands would materially affect them as spe-
cies, so numerous and so widely distributed are they, any more
than the drainage of the Fenlands did the interesting species
formerly inhabiting them. Wholesale destruction at one breed-
ing locality drives the birds to other places, but does not extir-
pate the species.

Under these circumstances, I rather doubt the utility of ex-
tending the close-time. If the public become aware of the injury
they could do by robbing the eggs and young there might be a
still worse chance for the birds rearing any young at all. The
birds are persecuted in this respect far too much already ; but
if by extending the close-time you exasperate the public, they
may retaliate and do more mischief still.

The shooting naturalist's real pleasure in meeting with a rare
bird, or a bird in a rare state of plumage, far exceeds any fancied
pleasure a man can have in slaughtering birds and unoffending
animals by hundreds for any other purpose. All laws should be
as much for the advantage of the poor as of the rich, and it is
hardly right that the rich man should be able to break the law
on his own extensive domain with impunity, and yet desire to
deprive many a poor man unnecessarily of an almost innocent
recreation, and this merely because some persons abuse the privi-
leges so long accorded to Englishmen.

The Act alluded to omits the poor Cormorant from the pro-
tected list because Nature directed it to eat fish : rather a curious
reason ! Probably in Scotland they ascend the rivers and take a
few young Salmon, and in consequence they are considered " ver-
min." Now, if the charge against them is that they feed on fish,
why preserve the other fowl at all ? They all eat fish, and if the
quantity required to provide those at the Fame Islands for a single
day was taken into consideration, I wonder the fishermen do
not take alarm at once, for fear they would clear the sea of all
the young fish. Even the fishes themselves, as the Cod and
others, not only prey on other species, but even on their own ;
why are they not considered vermin also ? Probably the fisher-
men are trying to clear the sea of them ; at any rate they take

6 ON THE SKA-BIRDS PRESERVATION Ml.

all they can for their own profit, but still the numbers decrease
not, except, perhaps, in a few localities.

Nature understands her own arrangements best ; she provides
food for all her creatures. It seems impossible for a thoughtful
man on fair consideration to imagine that the few fishes Cormo-
rants eat could interfere with the Salmon supply. When the
young Salmon go from the rivers to the sea, they have to run the
gauntlet of many dangers before again entering the rivers. All
Nature's creatures must pay their portion of debt; they were
all made to eat and to be destroyed or eaten. In Nature's won-
derful arrangement there are, with very few exceptions indeed,
generally plenty left to continue the species and for all other
purposes.

It may I think be taken for granted that there are always more
than double the number produced of every species than is neces-
sary for reproducing and multiplying the species; the rest are
for the good of other species in the shape of food.

I would hope that the extended close-time may be treated as
a dead letter except in cases where punishment may be justly
merited. There are several species of shore-birds not mentioned
in the Act. Are we to understand the order to be a prohibition to
carry a gun at all till the first of September ? or who is to decide
what may be shot ? A person surely should not be summoned for
shooting birds not mentioned in the Act ; but how is this to be
managed, as it is not possible to turn either a magistrate or an
informer at once into a naturalist? The only method, I can see,
to preserve the birds, would be to make the eggs belong to the
owners of the ground, and leave it to them to prosecute for theft
or not as they choose.

I cannot help thinking that some method might be adopted for
preserving the birds and their eggs on the Fame Islands. These
islands are one of the most interesting of the breeding places of
sea fowl on our coasts, and if they were in the keeping of Go-
vi inment or the Trinity House they could be easily protected
(as it is only in fine weather that boats can land) by the men
who are in their employ, who, having good glasses, could dis-
tinguish boats at a great distance. Could it not be arranged to

BY" CHARLES ilURUAV ADAMSON. 7

grant to some boats license to land, the licensed boat-owners to
be answerable for the conduct of the parties they take ; and for
a rule to be made that no guns were to be fired within a pre-
scribed distance of the Islands during the time the breeding birds
are there without special permission ?

Since the foregoing remarks were written the Act commencing
close time from February loth has come into operation, and at
the risk of appearing presumptuous and wearisome I offer some
further remarks on the apparently confused legislation respecting
the protection of sea and other birds which seems to me to be
entirely in the wrong direction.

The various species of birds, except the few wingless spe-
cies, whose distribution appears always to have been extremely
limited, and many of which have become, and others appear to be
becoming, extinct, are nearly all more or less migratory, either
from one part of the world to another, or merely from one dis-
trict to another, and often these migratory nights are to a great
distance and very extensive. Mature seems to have guarded
against the possibility of these species becoming extinct by the
great extent of country over which they are distributed. Most
persons seem to suppose that the comparatively few individuals
of each species which visit us represent the whole of the species,
instead of their being only a very insignificant portion of it.

As stated above, I have almost come to the conclusion that,
with few exceptions, it would be immaterial, so far as the exis-
tence of the species is concerned, if all of those which come to
us in one year were destroyed. I believe in a remarkably short
time we should be as well supplied as before with such species
as are suitable to the face of the country under any altered con-
ditions.

It would seem, if we look at the north polar region of a globe,
that there is a portion of the world extending probably four hun-
dred miles about the pole uninhabited by birds. Then comes a
belt of many hundred miles, partly of land, over a very great
portion of which no civilized man has yet traversed. This is the
tract of country which produces the hosts of migratory wild fowl
which spread themselves over the globe southward in winter to

8 OX THE SEA-BIRDS PHESEBVATION ACT,

get food and to form food for others. The few birds killed from
these hordes by man with all his contrivances, nets and decoys
included, both in going to and coming from this breeding ground,
amount to nothing. The prohibition against taking these birds
whenever they can be procured in this country is simply of no
use so far as extinction of the species is concerned. Each species
undoubtedly has a very extensive breeding ground, and the sup-
ply from it is and will be next to inexhaustible so long as those
lands remain in a state of nature. Neither can you bring back
the birds which have been forced to leave us ; not that they have
been shot, but because the character of their former breeding
grounds is altered and limited to such an extent as to prevent
them having room to obtain sufficient subsistence. This cannot
be helped ; but what is wanted is protection for the species which
will condescend to remain with us under the altered circum-
stances. It is entirely out of man's power to make a migratory
bird remain a day beyond its appointed time, and it always will
be so.

There are no such things as rare birds; those which appear
such to us are in reality only birds out of their regular places, and
they require no protection. The birds requiring protection are
those which either are or ought to be our useful and familial-
friends. We should take care of these. The others are not
worth protecting; they only afford interesting specimens for a
Natural History Collection, which really is their fittest place,
as they illustrate the extent to which these erratic species travel.

It is not shooting migratory birds or even snaring and trapping
them in decoys which materially lessens their numbers ; this is
proved by the extraordinary number of wild fowl often taken in
a single day, and their constant replacement day after day so long
as the locality suits their habits and the season is favourable.
Also the number of Quails taken in Europe, even when journey-
ing to their breeding grounds, which practice has prevailed a
length of time, does not materially lessen the supply for the
• year. The number of Skylarks netted each winter and sold
in the London markets also corroborates this. None of these
methods of destruction appear t<> have thinned their ranks to any

BY CHAKLES MUKKAY ADAMSON. 9

appreciable extent ; but what drives away the birds from us are
chiefly the alterations made by man in the enclosure and drainage
of the land.

No one can determine Nature's reasons for having assigned pe-
culiar limits to the breeding grounds of birds, nor can we extend
those of migratory species. Man may, and has introduced and
acclimatized some species, but these are very limited in number,
and perhaps those which he has succeeded in acclimatising or
domesticating were especially intended to be made subservient
and useful to live in this especial manner.

I do not in the least like sentimental grievances, but any law
prohibiting the killing of migratory birds on mud flats and such
like unreclaimed places is both unjust and unnecessary. No one
can pretend that birds frequenting such places either do or ought
to belong to him. One day they are perhaps in Africa or on the
shores of the Mediterranean ; they are perhaps next observed on
the Norfolk coast, and the next place they may be met with is,
perhaps, in Lapland, Iceland, or even North America ; besides, it
is only those who are at the trouble to follow them into their
haunts who see them alive. So soon as they have rested long
enough, off they go, and the flats are left bare, and no one would
follow the few birds left, except perhaps some enthusiast in the
hope of meeting with something rare, which, if procured, would
do no harm whatever, as it would only be a straggler out of its
proper place. Such migratory birds are totally independent of
man and all his devices to extirpate them, and against these they
can and will hold their own. Should man be able to control the
tides, even still he could not prevail against these birds ; for if
their feeding places were entirely destroyed here, their powers of
flight would enable them to pass on unheedingly to another place ;
but so long as man cannot control the tides, there will remain
plenty of resting places for them, where they are often unap-
proachable even with punts or other contrivances ; and if they
are approached and a few are shot, the remainder seldom alight
again within any reasonable distance, and cannot be followed.
It is totally different with such birds as Partridges and other
game birds which are local in their movements, and at times

10 ON THE SEA-BIEDS PKESEKVATIO.V ACT,

may be followed up and the whole covey obtained on a limited
tract of land.

Many persons believe they can treat the Woodcock like the
Pheasant, and suppose he will alter his character by protection
during the breeding season. He is a wanderer by nature, and
you cannot clip his wings in order to make him stay, and no
protection here in summer will make any appreciable addition
to his numbers in winter. Far be it for any one to imagine I
wish him interfered with during breeding time, but as he gene-
rally keeps to woods, let the owners look after him when there,
and do not enact new laws for his safety.

Nothing having life except man can be cruel ; he alone is
endowed with mind, and is capable of knowing right from wrong.
Lions, Tigers, Hawks, and Dragon-flies were all created to be
selfish, and in all their depredations they are only carrying out
their Creator's intentions, and we have no right to call them
cruel. Our doing so is setting aside the Creator's wisdom in
having made them. I contend that any one killing the appa-
rently most innocent and inoffensive creature for inspection or
admiration is not cruel ; in fact quite the reverse, for by so doing
he is honouring his Creator by admiring and wondering at the
operation of His power. Cruelty consists in the wanton and
thoughtless killing, or sanctioning the killing, unnecessarily, of
any kinds of living things, all of which, even the most repul-
sive, were created for some good purpose, which perhaps man,
with all his intellect, cannot at once perceive. There are many
who would be very severe in condemning another for killing a
rare bird or butterfly, but who daily sanction the killing of a
Hawk, when there is really this difference only, the one is pro-
bably killed for a good purpose, and the person who killed it has
some thing to look at for the remainder of his life with pleasure,
whilst the other is killed for mere caprice or fashion, as in all
probability the day after it would have been far away from the
district never to return, and therefore the injury it could possibly
inflict was only imaginary. Perhaps, too, the treasure the for-
mer had secured might have been destroyed immediately after
in the ordinary course of nature, so that it mattered little to it,

BY CHAHLES MURKAY ADAMSON. 11

bird or insect, whether it was taken or shot by man, or had
been caught and eaten by a Hawk or other bird, its natural end,
for Nature seems to have ordained that few, if any, of her crea-
tures, birds, beasts, fishes, or insects, should die what we call a
natural death. All, as soon as they get feeble, and very often
before, merely form food for others.

The only legislation really required is protection for all our
summer residents during breeding time, including eggs and
young of all breeding birds, great and small, at this season,
on the grounds of humanity alone, unless they become a posi-
tive nuisance.

The war of extermination carried on during breeding time
against Hawks, Owls, Crows, Magpies, Jays, "Wood-Pigeons, and
others whose real habits we really know little of, is at the least
cruel and unjustifiable when we take into consideration the
numbers of young birds left to die in the nests when the old
birds are trapped. Morally there is no greater harm in any one
torturing a domestic animal than there is in starving a wild one.
I would not think it right to prevent a person shooting any of
these birds he chose on his own land, but I hope the time will
come when we may not all be so addicted to fashion, and that
some large landed proprietors will take delight in having on their
estates all kinds of birds Nature intended to be there, and in ob-
serving their habits and hearing their cries, all of which add
charm to a country life. One of the greatest drawbacks to the
country is the absence of the various birds which ought to be
there ; and which of us will or can take upon himself to say that
the good such birds as the Magpie and Jay do in destroying in-
sects and their grubs during the whole year, does not quite
compensate for any injury or imaginary injury they do or are
supposed to do during their breeding season.

I would ask whether Rooks do not take eggs when they can
find them ? Birds are generally cunning enough to conceal their
eggs, but they are probably as likely to be found by a Hook as
a Magpie. Why then make enemies of the one kind and spare
the other ? The chief reason seems to be custom only.

As matters are at present, persons living near villages and

12 ON THE SEA-BIfiDS PRESEHVATIOX ACT,

towns are continually annoyed by having their gardens entered
entirely against their wish, by boys and others seeking birds'
nests, but there seems to be no legal remedy for this. The only
way to protect birds successfully would be to make them, their
eggs, and young, belong to the person or his tenant on whose
ground they are, and to enable such owner or occupier to have
any one who takes either the one or the other punished, at any
rate if he chooses. Thus all trespassers looking for any kind of
eggs, and whatever comes in their way, might be stopped ; and
we might really do without game laws altogether; and be so
much the better in this respect, that each person might then
do what he liked with what ought in my opinion to belong to
him, but which in reality does not legally.

All legislation should be on the plan that what is morally right
should be legally right, and vice versa.

The laws respecting the time when our resident game may be
sold and taken do not seem to be very hard, as no one who wants
a bird is deprived from getting it during the greater portion of
the year, but still there is not so great a difference now-a-days
between the value of a Partridge and a Golden Plover, and the
eggs of each should equally belong to the persons on whose
grounds they are. There certainly is this difference, that the
Partridge remains where bred or near to it, the Plover, as soon
as he can fly, will change his ground, but so long as they have
their nests on a man's ground they should be his property.

As I said before you can do no harm by shooting birds so long-
as they remain in flocks, and it seems very hard and quite unne-
cessary to legislate that birds, whose breeding places are .confined
to the extreme north, such species as the Grey Plover, Common
Godwit, Knot, Sanderling, Pigmy Curlew, Little Stint, Tem-
minck's Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Turnstone (Greenshank
and Whimbrel rarely breeding in Scotland), and others which
visit us on their migration northward so late as April and even
May may not be shot by the naturalist or sea-side gunner, in
order to secure specimens in the inter* -si in-; plumage many of
them put on at this season. No legislation will make these

BY CHARLES MUJLRAY ADAMSOX. 13

birds linger a single day, and as they never did breed in Eng-
land, even in its wildest state, they certainly never will now.

Many species of birds, the Spotted Redshank, Common God-
wit, Little Stint, Temminck's Sandpiper, and Pigmy Curlew
come to our own coast, almost exclusively in the young state, im-
mediately afler being able to fly, and after staying a very short
time, perhaps a few days only, leave us never to return. What
harm arises from shooting these ? It is quite clear they do not
come back. The fact is, that for many of our migratory birds,
Geese, Ducks, Sandpipers, and others, the immense morasses in
the Xorth of Europe are their summer home ; thither they wend
their way, arriving late in May perhaps, and taking only a week
to get there, as soon as the grounds are fit for them after the
long winter, and then of wh.it consequence is it how many
we can capture at this season? Each species differs in some
respects ; but after the young of several species are sufficiently
strong, in about eight or nine weeks, off they come back again
scattering themselves southwards over the face of the earth, not
only to find food for themselves but to form food for other crea-
tures, and also to afford instruction and amusement to man in
studying their habits. Those who are not above doing this
are not always unprofitably employed, and any legislation pre-
venting this is wrong. "We find this habit also to be common to
our summer residents which depart with their young, hatched
and reared here, but which return the following spring in about
the average number only of previous years, all the rest having
most probably formed food for other species during their absence.
For this purpose they were made in accordance with one of
Nature's laws, and it teaches us that what may be called over
protection or care for them often avails nothing.

I mentioned before that so long as most birds continue in flocks
little harm arises from shooting them, and I think this is so.
When in flocks they are generally not near their breeding grounds :
when they come to these, they generally do so in a quiet and un-
obtrusive manner, and spread themselves widely in pairs.

Birds coming from southern climes to breed with us, take for

14 ON THE SEA-BIKDti 1'KEsKKVATiON ACT,

instance Shovellers, generally arrive at a pond about the 20th
March. They know that by that time there will be no lasting
frost to prevent their getting food, but when they do come, they
come so quietly that you find them at the pond and there only,
none being observed perhaps for miles round about, either in
coming or departing after having reared their young.

During the present close -season Garganfc^s would never be
killed in England, as they only arrive about the 20th March
when they do come, and depart as soon as ever the young can
fly, August at the latest.

Those extensive landed proprietors who have honest servants,
and who possess large tracts of waste land with shallow water
which stands long enough to produce the food the birds require,
are independent of all laws. So long as the marshes are ex-
tensive enough to enable the birds to take long flights on being
disturbed and to get into a place of security, then they will con-
gregate and remain in them, but only so long as Nature has
taught them. If often disturbed, or if the tract of ground is not
sufficiently large to guarantee them security from frequent mo-
lestation, they will not remain.

This district is so much what is called improved, that there
is now hardly room for real wild fowl anywhere. Even when
there are ponds, the country round about is not wild enough and
extensive enough for them to remain at.

Many persons have what they call wild Ducks on their ponds.
These have been placed there by themselves or their predecessors.
They are very different from the truly wild birds in their nature,
seldom going far from home. The truly wild birds will not be
controlled in their habits. They prefer being free as the wind,
and as changeable. They pair in spring and keep themselves
aloof from the half-castes, very seldom indeed having any varia-
tion in their colour. The others are polygamous and often change
their colours, having always coarser feet and other parts. They
are no doubt valuable as ornaments, as well as for food, when
you cannot have the true wild birds. Nature does not counte-
nance variations in colour generally in wild birds and animals,
but there is no rule without an exception, instance the Huff in

BY CHARLES MUKKAY ADAMSON. 15

summer. Almost all her productions are similar according to the
seasons, ages, and sexes, but why some species vary more than
others according to age, sex, or season, is perhaps what we can
never find out. All Nature's species were created perfect, and if
left to themselves remain so and constant. The several varieties
produced by man's intervention, and such as he takes pride in
producing and keeping up are not so ; if they were left to them-
selves they would soon cease to exist as such.

There are large tracts of land in England now which were
formerly and are still inhabited by birds in summer. The re-
cent acts perhaps prevent the destruction of the old birds, but if
the eggs are constantly gathered you may almost as well be with-
out the old birds. They, in consequence of their eggs being
taken, after a time assemble in flocks, leave the places, and are
as wild as in winter; whilst if the eggs and young were pro-
tected, any one would have the pleasure of seeing the old birds
near when attending to their young.

It is perhaps little use trying to alter this state of things.
Civilization and population increase so rapidly that the wild birds
must give way, but it is a pity not to help them as much as pos-
sible, and this should be done by the owner of the land, who
should legally have the power.

All laws should be made to inflict as little injury as possible
on individuals, and they should not be made at all unless for the
public good in some way or other. I cannot see how any pos-
sible good arises by preventing birds being shot during their mi-
grations, and which are here to day and probably hundreds of
miles away to-morrow.

Eeal injury accrues to individuals when resident birds are
shot, or their nests taken in private grounds. Most persons who
have any kindly feeling generally take interest in having birds
and their nests in their grounds, and having them often destroyed
is as great an injury to them as it would be in having something
generally thought much more valuable taken away or stolen.

It would I think be better not to have a close time at all for
mud flats and such like places. Xo birds breed on these, and as
soon as the birds disperse to breed, then such places are almost

16 ox Tin: SEA-BIRDS ruF.s-ERVATiox ACT,

entirely forsaken by them. Let the landed proprietors look after
their own grounds, give them the birds and eggs on them, but
make laws so as to enable them to punish trespassers and rob-
bers, at any rate if they choose, and if they do, the birds will in-
crease. It is no use protecting such birds as have ceased to
breed in England from altered conditions of the face of the
country, such as drainage of fens, and certainly none whatever
protecting such birds as never did breed in this country. Xo
protection will make them do this, and all the protection you can
give is not even likely to increase their numbers here.

All naturalists must regret the circumstances which have ren-
dered it impossible for such species as the Spoonbill, Avocet,
Black Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Bustard, etc., to remain and
breed with us ; but these altered circumstances were for the good
of the country generally, and the consequent loss cannot be
helped. How much more should we regret the extinction of the
Kite, Moor Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Hen Harrier, and some
other equally ornamental species, which have nearly become ex-
tinct from man's personal greed: birds, too, which frequently
were satisfied with food which was entirely useless to man.

There is one thing I think which good taste should imme-
diately put a stop to, and that is, the extensive slaughter of
game by persons in high position, so often reported in news-
papers. It is said imitation is the sincerest flattery. If an ig-
norant man reads that some great man has killed several hundred
head of game or Pigeons, if he thinks at all, he must see that it
was done merely for the love of slaughter and not for love of
manly sport. "Well, he of course has not the game to shoot at,
nor can he pay for the Pigeons, but instead of these he gets
amongst some unfortunate young Gulls or Terns, and he goes on
slaughtering them till he has, as far as he can, matched his beau
ideal of a shooter; and how can we blame the one without con-
demning the other? If persons having the means and the desire
to kill such numbers of birds or beasts do it, it would be well if
they kept tln-ir exploits to themselves. Besides this, by inform-
ing the public they invite poachers to try their preserves, and
thus often get their keepers into trouble.

BY CHARLES MURRAY ADAMSOX. 17

Taking the whole system of game-preserving into considera-
tion and the expenses attending it, it would seem almost a
question, now that money is taken into account in all such
transactions, whether the great expense required in preserving
is compensated by the equivalent amusement and money returns
for the game got and sold. That is, it seems a question if what
are considered vermin were allowed to exist, and trusty servants
only kept to protect their master's property, birds, eggs, and
other things, whether the great saving in expense would not be
met by having a sufficiency of game, and a great deal more plea-
sure in obtaining it, than by the present system of heavy bags,
got at enormous expense, and in such quantities at a time, as to
be almost useless to the proprietors except in the return he gets
in money from the dealers.

I am quite unable to imagine how any liberal-minded natural-
ists could sanction such changes as have been made by recent
bird legislation. Even supposing that they had individually
found out all they cared to know concerning the habits of British
birds, still they had no right to stifle future investigation by
their juniors either in age or learning. Some kinds of birds re-
quire different times to arrive at maturity; several species of
Gulls take four years. I have not yet met with any one who
can determine the age of some individuals of these, met with
during immaturity. Now we may take it for granted that there
are quite as many immature as mature Gulls in existence. The
latter only congregate at their breeding grounds, where the
owners of such ought to be able to protect them. The former
are probably scattered over the coasts and seas in many parts.
Xow, what harm accrues to these species by killing for observa-
tion these immature wanderers ? I would ask, do these natural-
ists think that all information required by a student of nature
can be acquired from either stuffed birds or skins already ob-
tained ? If not, how is it to be got ? Perhaps by looking at the
birds with binoculars. If they have to get their information
from skins already obtained, I fear they will be as likely to get
it as a surgeon would be who expected to learn anatomy from a
mummy. A true naturalist requires the recently killed birds to

18 OX THE SEA-JUKI- ri:K«ERVATIOX ACT.

judge of their shape, and see the colour of their eyes, legs, beak,
and feathers, which in so many species change dnring the growth
of the bird and with the seasons. He wishes to admire and con-
template their wonderfully different forms, and the arrangements
of the layers of feathers, as adapted to the bird's requirements.

I would ask, can any one yet satisfactorily explain the change
of plumage, from winter to summer, of so many of our shore
birds, which takes place about April ? even of the Dunlin, compa-
ratively speaking a common bird ? and how much of this change
is acquired by moulting ? and how much by the change of the
colour in the feathers themselves ? or can any one explain the
length of time birds of these genera take to change from white
to black or from white to red ? or the cause of such changes ? or
can they account for the change in the plumage of the males of
the surface feeding Ducks, which takes place about July, when
they acquire a plumage somewhat resembling the females ? and
then again the change to their full plumage about October ?

The Wigeon and Wild Geese which remain longest on our
coasts in spring are most probably not those which would remain
in Scotland to breed. The birds breeding there have most likely
nests before the flocks leave our more southern shores, where
they are lingering till the distant northern morasses are ready
for their economy, which would not be till about the middle of
June. It appears to me, therefore, to be quite unnecessary and
useless to prevent these coast birds being shot, so long as they
remain with us in flocks, or at any rate, until the end of March.

It remains for me to ask forbearance from my listeners in their
criticism of what they have heard. I have written down my
thoughts as they occurred to me, and am afraid I have used a
great many repetitions, but they are used as explanatory argu-
ments, and in consequence of my not being accustomed much to
writing I have used a crude style, which I hope will be over-
looked.

In conclusion, I feel uncertain whether I have thrown any
light upon a subject which apparently is very little understood by
our legislators.

VBWCACTLB-CPOX-TTNE: FEINTED BY JOHN BKLL AND co. KAILWAY BANK.

\\ ILDFOWL IN THE LONDON PARKS AND
ELSEWHERE.

( Reprinted from " TJie Field" Neicspaper, April, 1865.;

Ix The Field of Jan. 28, H. H. mentions several sorts of wild
ducks, with perfect wings, as having been observed by him on the
ornamental waters in the London Parks. Some years since I
saw several mature Wigeon which could and did fly, and I was
as much surprised and puzzled as he is. This bird will not ap-
parently reproduce its species in confinement,* and in a wild state
it is a wary bird, and seldom admits of a near approach, even
when pressed for food by severe weather; its food seems to con-
sist entirely of vegetable substances, and it is pretty to see them
nibbling the grass like small geese. It probably never remained
to breed in England; it arrives in September, the old drakes
then having the white patch on the wing, a sign of maturity, but
having the freckled portions of their plumage mixed more or less
with the bright rusty-coloured feathers of the summer plumage
yet remaining. Young drakes of the former year sometimes re-
main till May, by which time they have nearly acquired their
full plumage; but many of them have not then got the white
patch on the wing. Many young drakes are scarcely distinguish-
able from ducks till far into winter, only traces of the freckled
plumage being visible when closely looked for. This bird seems
equally at home in salt or fresh water, and consequently remains
with us in considerable numbers during the most severe weather ;
when severe frost sets in it flies direct from the fresh water to
the sea, not remaining, as the mallard often does, in sheltered
places, amongst bushes in burns and small rivers. Those which

* I put it thus, as I have seen hybrids between the Wigeon and Mallard
bred in confinement, also between the Pintail and Mallard, and a hybrid be-
tween the Wigeon and Pintail, a drake of which had been sent to the London
market amongst other wildfowl.

remain seein to prefer pieces of water with sloping edges and
clear of bushes and high banks; it is not often seen in small
ponds, but is numerous where there are extensive sheets of
shallow water, with grassy edges. Nothing is prettier to see
than a flock of hundreds of them flying and wheeling about high
in the air, and it is pleasant to hear the rushing noise made by
their wings as they descend from a higher elevation to a lower
one, as they often do.

The same year I saw the Wigeon in the parks, one of the
keepers in the Regents-park Gardens told me the Tufted Ducks
had bred, and that they had not been able to catch the young
(and no wonder, as, if they once get to the water, they dive like
water-rats) . Such a circumstance might account for their having
been seen flying from one piece of water to another, and might
also account for the few instances which have been noticed with-
in the last few years of this bird breeding in this country. That
some wild Tufted Ducks and pochards should sometimes find out
pieces of water like those in the parks, and, being undisturbed,
remain for several days, is probable enough. Both these species
often reluctantly leave the water, and will sometimes suffer an
approach within one hundred yards without concern. I am not
aware that the Pochard has bred in confinement; and, even if it
did, probably the young would not remain with the parents un-
less pinioned, but would follow their natural instinct, and mi-
grate at the regular season.

I never remember seeing a Pochard in its first plumage : all,
on arriving here, show most of the plumage of the old birds ; and
it seems probable that the few Pochards and Tufted Ducks which
may have naturally bred in this country, both old and young,
migrate early, as it seldom happens that either species is met with
in early autumn, or until the ordinary autumnal, or rather win-
ter, migration, when those which have been bred at their regular
breeding places appear at particular lakes and ponds in consider-
able numbers, a few remaining during the winter. Many sorts
of wild birds, in severe weather, quickly perceive where they
may remain in comparative security. This year I saw Tufted

Ducks and Pochards which sat upon the ice where swans had
kept the water open, till you advanced within fifteen yards of
them, before they would rise ; some of them, even at that distance,
not withdrawing their beaks from under their back feathers, and
when put up, merely flying round a few times and settling again.

The appearance of the Shoveller and Gadwall with perfect
wings is much more curious. The former seems to be a shy
bird, almost constantly frequenting shallow, still, fresh watery
places, where there are sedges and reeds; it appears to be a
delicate bird, and looks unhappy in confinement, particularly in
winter. It does not appear to come to its breeding places till all
chance of frost is gone, or whilst there is danger of its being pre-
vented thereby from getting food. It is an insect feeder, and
often swins about in circles as if to make eddies, and apparently
sifting the insects out of the water with its singular beak, keeping
its head low whilst thus engaged. The latter part of the month
of March appears to be the time for its arriving. I have seen a
dozen together by the first week in April. They then fly about
a good deal, and appear to be pairing, two or three drakes some-
times singling out one duck and chasing her, and making a sing-
ular noise. By the 20th they seem to be paired, and they have
eggs early in May. Though the Shoveller is occasionally met
with during winter, it should be considered a summer visitor, and
no doubt was very much commoner in England before the places
suitable for its accommodation were drained. By the time the
young are hatched the weeds, amongst which they keep, have
become so rank that is scarcely possible to see them ; but it seems
evident that the birds suddenly take their departure soon after
they can fly well, as few indeed are to be met with between
breeding time and November, when a chance bird sometimes
turns up, and though the young apparently get away, no greater
number of old birds return the following year, probably on
account of the now limited ground suitable for them.

The Gadwall, in the north of England, is a very rare bird, and
probably never was anything else ; and had it not been for the
quantity of wildfowl sent, within the last thirty years, from the

Continent, it is questionable whether it would not have been a
bird rarely seen in collections in England at this day. I have a
duck Gadwall which I shot at Prestwick Carr on the evening of
Nov. 28, 1850, and I believe not more than one to two instances
are known of its having been met with in this county. The
evening before there had been a sharp frost, which had covered
the water witli a coating of ice ; quantities of ducks, during the
day, kept in the middle, where some water was open, and sat
about the edges of the ice. In the evening, two others and my-
self, one of whom had the adjoining shooting, watched the ducks
coming out. I was in the middle, and the first birds that flew
near were two which I thought were Mallards. I shot one, and
hit the other, which, however, unfortunately went on. The one
which fell dead made a hole in the ice, and disappeared under it ;
and though one of the party, who had as good a retriever as could
be, came with it, nothing was visible which the dog could see, and
we left the bird, he saying he would get it out at daylight and
send it. "We again took our places, and I was fortunate cnougli
afterwards to get four Wigeon. The bird was duly sent, with a
letter ; the writer — being well acquainted witli the various sorts
of wildfowl he had been accustomed to see — remarked that the
bird sent was a curious one, and suggested its being a cross be-
tween the Wigeon and the common Wild Duck — the grey wing
and white belly resembling the Wigeon, the rest of the plumage
resembling the Wild Duck, and the clay-coloured feet being sup-
posed to be between the two. Now how easily this bird might
have been set down as a hybrid ; and, had it not fallen into the
hands of one interested in natural history, it most probably would
h;ive been. Gadwalls are most commonly to be seen in Leaden-
hall market in April. I have occasionally seen them in November,
but not in the depth of winter.

The Teal, like the Shoveller and Pintail, dislikes frost und
snow, and appears to be a much more inland bird than the
Wigeon; it delights, after rain in spring, in the evenings, to
walk over the grass land in search of worms ; it also appears to
be a summer rather than a winter visitor. Number* come in

March during their migration, many more than remain to breed,
though in suitable places it breeds not uncommonly. During
very severe weather, instead of resorting to the sea, it seems to
quit the country in preference ; but, during its autumnal migra-
tion in September, flocks are not uncommonly seen at the sea-
side, composed entirely of young birds. I do not remember
seeing an old drake, changing from his duck-like plumage of
summer to its full plumage, killed in the north of England in
autumn, and therefore ground my supposition that even this
species migrates more than is generally supposed ; and I question
whether those which breed with us do not leave the country soon
afterwards, and whether those which come in winter have not
migrated from some other country. In spring, in the evening,
the approach of a flock of Teal is often announced by the short
whistle of a drake. In the Mallard the duck is far more noisy
than the drake, whether whilst resting or flying, the more sub-
dued note of the drake being comparatively seldom heard, whilst
in the Wigeon and Teal the notes of the drakes are oftener heard
than those of the ducks.

The Garganey appears to be the least able to bear cold of the
ducks which visit us ; it has long been designated the summer
Teaf, and probably by no chance ever remains during winter.
Like the Shoveller, it does not arrive nntil after all chance of its
being frozen out has passed, and, like it, when it once arrives at
a pond or marsh during its stay, it does not appear to leave it.
I lind I first saw three birds, two drakes and a duck, on the 28th
March, 1858. On that day I could not make out what they were
with the aid of a glass ; it was a bright day, but windy, and the
water was rongh ; I was between them and the sun, and the white
line over the drakes' heads was very conspicuous. They kept in
the shallow water, and were continually turning up to reach the
bottom with their beaks. On the 4th April I saw the same three
birds, and ascertained what they were as the water was smooth ;
and the following day I took my friend, Mr. John Hancock, to
see them. They remained till the 18th, after which day I could
not see them. It is a rare bird in the north of England, and I

was surprised at its arrival here so early. On another occasion
only I have seen this species alive. On the 13th June, 1855,
I saw two, drake and duck, at Prestwick Carr, and after having
told a person there what they were, I went again on the 15th
to try and get one of them. I found they had been shot, but I
saw them dead ; the drake had begun to acquire his duck-like
plumage ; it is possible they had intended to breed there. Now
I am almost sure the former three birds were not molested during
their stay ; neither were a Ruff and Reeve in full plumage, and
a Wood-sandpiper, which Mr. Hancock and I saw on the 10th
May, 1857, at the same place; and as none of these birds, or
others of the same sorts, have been observed since, I think it
rather shows that the sparing of rare stragglers, which apparently
come to us by accident, and out of their regular course, does not
cause any greater number to come in future years : at the same
time, I would never think of killing them except for some good
purpose.

The Pintail appears occasionally during early winter, but is
not a resident ; those then got are invariably young, hatched the
previous summer, and in immature plumage. A few pass in
March, when they are in full plumage, but seem to remain a
short time only. Both the Pintails and Shovellers which are
found here in winter appear to be chance birds, left behind at the
general migrations.

The Mallard, which is unquestionably the most useful, and
perhaps also the most beautiful of the whole lot, appears to be
and to have always been the most common species ; and as it is
a general feeder — devouring grain, worms, insects, acorns, grass,
and clover — so long as gentlemen keep extensive pieces of water
within flying distance, so that when a flock is disturbed at one
pla< •(• it can get rest at another, it will continue to be numerous,
in spite of the drainage of the shallow waters and all other im-
provements. No doubt its breeding places are materially cur-
tailed, but still the enormous quantities of them which come from
a distance towards the month of November will always keep them
plentiful, in spite of the price upon their heads, and all guns both

great and small. The young Mallards appear to have acquired
their full plumage before arriving in this country. Though often
found at the sea-side, even in open weather, they like to come to
the fresh waters in the evenings ; and this propensity is well-
known to the seaside gunners, who watch at nights for their
coming to the fresh-water springs, where they run into the sea.
They seem to fly in winter every evening with great regularity
as to time, but irregularly as to the course of flight : sometimes
they will go to a particular field at a considerable distance from
where they have rested during the day, and as they arrive after
dusk and depart again before daylight, many places are visited
by them without its being known. A very favourable place
seems to be a barley stubble which has remained a long time un-
ploughed, and especially if a considerable portion of the grain has
been shaken out. Many gentlemen have a sort of half -wild breed
of Mallards, which remain in the neighbourhood during the whole
year. They are generally — though perhaps difficult to distinguish
from their wild relations on the wing, when the colour remains
true— pretty easily known when dead: the feet are coarser, and
the birds themselves clumsier : they do not show the clean pure
breed of the real wild birds, whose condition is adapted by nature
to meet all emergencies ; and when they have been accustomed
to cater for themselves, and rove where they please over land and
water, they will not at man's bidding become tame all at once.
Notwithstanding the Mallard in his wild state is so much more
wary and difficult to approach in the daytime than many other
sorts of wildfowl, it is surprising how tame some of these semi-
domesticated birds do become. It is probable our ancestors long
since tried to domesticate many other species, but found it im-
practicable to make them useful, and abandoned the experiment.
In the Mallard you find the wings, when closed, reach to nearly
the end of the tail. If you look at a large tame Duck you will
find the body much longer, or the wings much shorter, in pro-
portion, and the consequence is, the tamr bird cannot fly : this
appears to show that, it being unnecessary for the tame bird and
its intermediate ancestors to use the wings to procure food through

8

domestication, the proportions of the structure of the bird have
in time become altered.

The White-eyed Pochard has never been met with in the north
of England, to my knowledge ; and I believe we are generally
indebted to the Continent for almost all the specimens we see of
this bird in collections. It was not uncommonly to be seen in
Leadenhall-market in spring, though rarely in autumn ; all I saw
were, I believe, foreigners.

The Scaup Duck seems to be a hardy bird, and quite able to
take care of itself in the severest weather ; it prefers salt water,
and its food seems often to be tellinas, which it swallows whole,
the broken shells in the gizzard acting as sand to digest its food ;
in severe weather I have found even periwinkles (Turbo littoralix]
of considerable size in its gizzard.

All sorts of Ducks seem to prefer still water to rivers and
burns, and it is generally only when in winter the former gets
frozen over that they are compelled by necessity to take the lat-
ter. So many, however, of those species that cannot last out
during a protracted storm depart at the approach of severe wea-
ther, that whatever happens to those which remain is of small
consequence : sufficient for Nature's purposes will have wintered
in safety, and so soon as their presence is required at their breed-
ing places they will be there.

The migrations and partial migrations of birds seem intended
as a provision against the possibility of the species being exter-
minated or numerically seriously damaged by severe weather or
other accident in one locality. However wildfowl are distressed
by and persecuted during a storm, no sooner does it go than they
again appear in as great numbers as before, provided the food is
there for them. Though bad weather makes wild fowl comeat-
able, and consequently more are killed by being driven from the
places they usually resort to, a greater variety of species is ob-
servable during the times they are moving to and from their
breeding places. I have seen, during the month of March, the
following species on one piece of water the same day, which far
outnumber what could have been seen any month during win-

ter — Shoveller, Garganey, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, Po-
chards, Mallards, Pintail, and Golden-Eye ; and on a hright mild
day at this season, an hour may he pleasantly spent in watching
them with a glass, as some of them play ahout and lash the water
with their wings whilst bathing and diving.

In addition to the species I have mentioned, we have on the
coast — Eiders, Sheldrakes, Scoters, Velvet Ducks, and Long-
tailed Ducks ; and I will only say that as little is known of
their migrations as of the others. The Long-tailed Duck is pe-
culiar in this respect, that, whereas in all the other species the
Drakes, after once acquiring their full plumage retain it till
after the breeding season, it does not ; but about March his white
head becomes black, and the elongated scapulars, which are
white in winter, become black and brown ; some of them remain
into April, and complete this plumage before departing to their
breeding grounds.

Many different species of ducks occasionally are locally indis-
criminately called by the same name. I have known Tufted
Ducks termed Golden-Eyes, and even once heard Mergansers
called " Teal." Too much reliance should not be placed on the
notice of the observance merely of a bird said to be of a rare
species. I know how very difficult it often is, even with the aid
of a good glass, to make out, under favourable circumstances,
the difference between some species, particularly when not in the
distinguishing garb of the male in full plumage. It requires a
person to be a good naturalist, as well as an observing man, to
distinguish at a distance, in autumn, such birds as Teal from
Garganeys, Wigeon from Pintails, and a different sort of a
naturalist entirely from him who can tell you what a dead bird
is when he has it to examine ; and when it is considered how
few men really know the young birds and the different states
of plumage, it seems probable some species have been admitted
as English on insufficient authority — such as the Buffell-Headed
Duck, the young of which much resembles a young small
Golden-Eye. The drakes of this latter bird do not appear to
get their plumage the spring after they are hatched, as, like in

10

the Mergansers, we frequently see drakes little changed to their
full plumage far into the spring. Probably, the reason why the
mature drakes are so seldom seen in comparison is, that you
have the old duck, and perhaps from six to eight young in the
immature plumage, which reduces the chance of an old drake
being met with. The difference in size between the old drake
and a young duck is puzzling, in consequence of her being so
much smaller than might be expected.

No sooner does the cold weather disappear and spring come,
than ducks commence to moult, and before the end of March
they become thickly clothed with down under their feathers.
This is for the purpose of enabling them to supply their nests.
The old drakes do not commence to moult till much later in the
season.

I feel quite certain that very little is known about the migra-
tion of any single species, and should these remarks be the means
of calling the attention of any one to the subject, I am also cer-
tain, though it may be considered of little use, he will find its
pursuit amusing, and certainly not disagreeable. C. M. A.

PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS.

(Reprinted from " The Field," April, 1877.)

SIB, — What are we doing, naturalists and all? are we not strain-
ing matters too far? Some naturalists, who are authors, seem
to forget that they must have derived much of their knowledge
and pleasure by examining birds recently killed, either by them-
selves or others, in the various states of plumage several of the
species get in the different seasons. I would ask, are they
entirely satisfied with the knowledge they have acquired and
committed to writing; and do they wish to deprive the rising
generation from having similar opportunities to those they them-
selves had, and to leave them to limit their observations to what
has been written only ? I would fain hope not.

Another question I would ask is, what good we do in protect-
ing birds which are not, so far as we can judge, useful in any
way to man, except to study their habits ? A number of the
species we are apparently solicitous about, unless shot, nine
hundred and ninety-nine out of every thousand of us would never
even see, and those who do see them would only do so after ex-
pressly going to look for them at limited places, as well as seasons.

We are hearing remarks about birds having been seen. Now,
I have little faith in such generally, more especially when par-
ticular states of plumage are described, unless they are very con-
spicuous.

When we come to some of the Sandpipers, the difference be-
tween the old Dunlin in summer and the just fully-feathered
young birds, or the young Little Stint and the summer plumage,
how few know the difference when they have the dead bird in
their hands ; and, as to Buzzards, have naturalists come to any
definite understanding whether the pale and dark birds are va-
rieties, or the difference is caused by age ?

I would ask, why protect those species which pass us in their
periodical migratory flights at all ? None of the following waders

2

ever bred in England, or ever will — Whimbrel, Spotted Red-
shank, Greenshank, Common Godwit, Grey Plover, Knot, Purple
Sandpiper, Little Stint, Pigmy Curlew, Temminck's Sandpiper,
Green Sandpiper, Sanderling, Turnstone, Solitary Snipe, Jack
Snipe. All these are common as species, and very widely dis-
tributed ; and I will fearlessly, without hesitation, say that any
quantity that may be killed here of these at any season will not
lessen their number, nor will protection increase it. The num-
bers of each appearing annually vary from other circumstances,
such as prevaling winds and the weather. Many of these species
only keep on the sea-shore, where they are often quite unap-
proachable. By making a close time for these, you prevent
some of the species being ever procured ; and under these cir-
cumstances, really of what use are they ? We might as well be
without them altogether. There are many things about birds
to be found out yet, and I think we can scarcely afford to be
without the means of obtaining further information, which we
can only get from the examination of recently -killed birds at all
seasons. Which of us can tell why the Dunlin gets a black
breast in summer, and the nearly allied Little Stint does not ?
why the Knot gets a red breast, and the Sanderling remains with
a white one ? why the Grey Phalarope gets red nearly all over
in summer, and the Red-necked Phalarope remains with a white
breast ? At present the most learned of us cannot explain these
matters.

So far as the various sorts of ducks are concerned, those which
sometimes remain at particular places to breed, such as the
Shoveller, Garganey, Pochard, and Tufted Duck will continue to
do so, if preserved by the owners of such places ; and it may be
remarked that, when once they arrive where they intend to breed,
they seldom ever stray far away, and as almost every one knows,
for several weeks in summer the old birds are totally unable to
fly ; but even these species are wanderers, and we have no means
of knowing whether the few, comparatively speaking, bred at
such places, are not the very first to migrate southwards, so soon
as ever they can fly well. Certainly the Garganey does, as no
birds are ever procured after very early autumn ; and I think the

3

Shovellers bred here leave so soon as able to fly well — certainly
the first severe frost scatters them all.

I trust no great body of Englishmen in these enlightened times
will try to prevent foreigners sending the produce of their
country here, particularly such as birds coming to them during
their periodical migration ; such interference would appear to me
unjustifiable. The ducks are only taken by them so long as they
are in flocks ; so soon as they pair, and the flocks get broken up,
they cease to take them. Those taken are only a small portion
of the flocks passing to the north, which do not scatter and pair
before leaving the country, thousands never coming near the de-
coys at all. I do not think real wild ducks pair till near breed-
ing time, as you so often see flocks of Wigeon and Teal composed
almost entirely of one sex late in spring.

C. M. ADAMSOX.

[Our correspondent seems to have overlooked the fact that all
the wading birds, both resident and migratory, may be shot at
any time between July and February, when they are not only
more numerous, but in much better condition, than they are in
the spring. He is mistaken, too, in supposing that some of the
species he names do not breed here. See an article on British
Wildfowl in our naturalist columns. — ED.]

PRESERVATION OF WILDFOWL.
From the "Field," May 5th, 1877.

SIB, — I have to thank you for inserting my last letter. I feel I
am on the unpopular side of the question, but the right one. At
the same time I yield to no one in my desire to protect all birds
during the breeding season in moderation. What is wanted is
to put the matter on a right footing, giving no particular favour
to one class more than another.

In your footnote you call my attention to the list of birds I
say never breed in England. I omitted Scotland, as I am aware
the Greenshank and Whimbrel breed there ; but as to the others,

it will require more than I have yet seen to convince me I am
wrong. Any number of probabilities do not establish a fact. The
short time the Green Sandpiper* is absent breeding, and per-
haps a straggler or two remaining during May or June, may have
led some to arrive at the conclusion it breeds here. Mr. Lub-
bock, a most careful observer, in his book on Norfolk birds pub-
lished in 1848, mentions "a certain stream which will furnish
one or two of these birds at almost every time of the year."
Surely nearly thirty years should have proved if it did breed
with us. Mr. Cordeaux quotes someone else about the young
being quite a different colour from the old birds — "much
lighter;" whereas the young are darker than the old birds in
summer, and what he says about the gamekeeper having seen
them come off from the crows' nests is not reliable. The keeper
who knows the bird, probably also knows that there are persons
who would give a very long price for authentic British-taken
eggs. This probably would have induced him to find them if he
could, and his taking them would have been a slight offence in
comparison to having settled the fact of the birds breeding in
England. No other account that I have seen is more definite or
reliable. I have only seen this bird twice in April, often in
August (young birds, with one exception), and I once killed one
in February. Though I have often seen them, I never saw two
rise together ; they are very local, and, although two or three
may be on the same stream or pool, they are generally quite
apart, and they rise so soon as ever they see you, which is al-
most before you can see them.

Amongst the list I sent of birds not breeding in England was
what I called the Common God wit, or " Speathe" of our coast,
and by which I mean the Bar-Tailed or Eed Godwit of some
authors, but which has not always a barred tail, nor is always
red — both incorrect names. Now, excepting the lateness of this
bird's northern migration, little has been said about its having

* Even supposing a bird like the Green Sandpiper has ever bred in Eng-
land—the eggs or unfledged young do not appear ever to have been destroyed
by man — the bird has not become more common. Is it expected to do so by
protection V I say no !

been supposed to breed here, and certainly nothing at all satis-
factory. Much confusion formerly existed between our two spe-
cies before the curious changes of plumage were known, and I
almost think some does still. Mr. Stevenson, in his " Norfolk
Birds," says he has never known one killed in June or July,
meaning the Common Godwit ; but just before he says a corres-
pondent of his saw some on May 9th, inland, which were tame,
and he hoped they might remain to breed. Could these be the
Black-Tailed species, which formerly did breed in England ? The
present species never did, and never will, although I have seen
the young of it — the Common Godwit — on its first arrival, with
some of the nest-down still adhering to it where the feathery
part of the leg joins the skin part ; this I have also seen in the
Pigmy Curlew, Sanderling, and Solitary Snipe. I think there
is a misprint in Mr. Stevenson's book respecting the date in this
species, where it states "on May 26, 1862, during a severe frost."

Montagu seems to have considered Godwits of one species
only. His description under the head Godwit refers to both ;
but under the head " Yarwhip" he commences by saying it is
larger than the Godwit ; he must refer to the black-tailed spe-
cies, but the illustration evidently refers to the other species, a
young bird, as the tail is represented as very strongly barred
(edition 1831).

Mr. Harting, in The Field of April 14, mentions the two spe-
cies in one paragraph. I think the ordinary reader will scarcely
understand which species he refers to when speaking of having
shot the young.

Jerdon calls the Indian bird " Lesser Godwit." Now this is
wrong as it is evidently the black-tailed species which we see
sent from India ; and, besides this, his description relates to it,
and it is considerably larger than the Common Godwit. Both
these species have been often called Red Godwits, and even their
scientific names have been often mixed. Notwithstanding this,
they are most interesting birds, and time has enabled us to dis-
tinguish the species easily in all their changes of plumage. It
is quite probable the Common Godwit may be Asiatic, but not
migrate so far southwards as India,

6

I think I am entitled to say something about Northumberland
Garganeys, referred to by Mr Harting. In The Field of April.
1, 1865, under the head of " Wildfowl in the London Parks and
elsewhere," (See under the head Garganey, page 5.) Garganeys
certainly have always been very rare in the North of England,
Mr. Harting mentions Mr. Hancock's duck, and there was one
drake killed in the spring many years since at Gosforth Lake by
the late Mr. "W. Brandling ; these are all known, but from these
no conclusion that they actually bred here is decisive.

Mr. Lubbock proves their breeding in Norfolk. He mentions
their appearance in March, and says those which did not intend
to breed there, departed about the end of April, and he ex-
pressly states in proof of its breeding that on July 24, 1827,
he shot four at sundown, three of which were young birds.
This species is easily recognised when crossing you flying, the
decided band on the breast being conspicuous, and the under
wing coverts being half of them dark and half white, continue
the band across the breast to the wings when flying. There
is a remark by Mr. Lubbock which creates confusion, and I think
must be a mistake, which is, that a female laid an egg in a
bakset in March, which seems from all we know much too early
for this migratory species, as they only appear to arrive late in
that month.

That this species ever bred very commonly in this country is
very doubtful. Montagu, who wrote at the commencement of
the present century, says it was not then ascertained whether it
did. Mistakes are often made quite unintentionally. A person
once told me Sheldrakes came to an inland reedy pool in spring.
The bird was described as having a black head, a white neck, and
chesnut breast. I asked if the duck and drake were alike, and
the answer was "No!" They were Shovellers. There seem
divided opinions as to the time ducks pair. I find 1 have several
memoranda made years ago, and which have already appeared in
The Field under the above-mentioned heading. (See under head
Shovellers, page 3.) Those not intending to breed seem then to
leave. Col. Montagu, who perhaps paid as much attention to
birds as any person ever did, as he kept the various kinds of

ducks alive to observe their changes in plumage, describes the
Shoveller as by no means common.

It often happens that the birds going furthest north to breed
linger longest on the road, where they can procure the requisite
food, in consequence of their breeding grounds being not yet
ready. The pink-footed goose* used formerly to be most common
at Prestwick Carr about the middle of April. These, and many
of the ducks passing northward over Holland as well as this coun-
try, at this season, will not breed till June on the desolate tracts
of country which are still covered with snow, and which princi-
pally produce them in quantities. Even the Golden Plover, which
breeds here in April (see Mr. Dresser's work, where nests of grey
Plover are described), was found with eggs by Mr. Seebohm in
Russia as late as the end of June, a difference of more than two
months. These birds journeying north are then just as good
food as birds killed here in February/ which remain here to
breed.

The different kinds of ducks, not considering the subject locally,
do not all pass at the same time. During very severe weather
nearly all surface-feeding ducks must leave inland places, and by
far the greater portion migrate, the few which do remain being
of small importance. So soon as really lasting open weather
comes in spring, they begin to return on their northern journey
—the Mallard and Wigeon first, the Teal and Pintail after them,
the Gadwall and Shoveller perhaps next, and the Garganey last,
the productions from fresh water enabling them in a great measure
to live, except the Wigeon, which seem almost independent of
fresh water when on the sea coast.

Many of our water birds are nearly as regular migrants as the
land birds whose arrivals are so regularly chronicled ; the reason
why similar attention is not given to them is that they generally
inhabit places further from our homes.

Mr. Fountaine's letter about the breeding of the Gadwall in

Norfolk is highly interesting ; but we can hardly judge from it

what becomes of the flocks during very severe weather, when all

fresh water must be frozen. A question arises, do they migrate ?

* Breeding in the Far North.

8

If not, one would suppose they would stray to other places, and,
from their immunity from danger at home, be easily killed.
Audabon mentions that in America, this species may be readily
tamed, and that it will breed in confinement, and is capable of
being made useful to man. The supposition that the Gadwall was
ever common in England is negatived by Col. Montagu, who
states : " During the many years we have attended to the subject
of ornithology, we have never been able to procure a fresh speci-
men of this duck.

From Mr. Lubbock's account, it would appear that the Pochard's
breeding in Norfolk was not at all a common occurrence, as he
specially mentions the young being met with in a single instance ;
and, though Col. Montagu kept these birds alive, he does not
mention their breeding here. Near here I have seen them in
large flocks (sometimes all males), and with tufted ducks in the
middle of March, and still in flocks till the middle of April, which
would appear to be the time for most of the ducks going north to
breed.

I have seen the long-tailed duck remain here at sea till some
of the males have acquired their singular complete summer plum-
age, and the Golden-eye, mature birds, apparently resting on
passage till the middle of April ; but no one would suggest they
bred here in consequence, the former going far north, and the
latter to Norway and Lapland. When we see the Golden-eye
here in spring, it is generally on open sheets of water, whereas it
has been ascertained to breed in hollow trees, and I should think
it extremely unlikely it would breed where there are none.

It seems probable that the Golden-eyes do not breed the first
year after they are hatched, as, like the Mergansers, you see the
young males very far from having their fine plumage quite late in
spring.

I cannot exactly see why the owner of land should not have
the exclusive right to the birds, and all their belongings on it, as
the owner of a lake, with a river running through it, has to the
fish in it : as I apprehend so long as they are in his lake they are
his, so might the birds be, so long as they are on his lands.

With respect to observations taken from live wild birds when

only seen, I should like to add a word or two. There are many
reasons why men write. The only reasons should be to give or
receive correct information. From statements which often appear,
unfortunately, there is no way to question their accuracy, unless
you imply on the writer's part a desire to deceive ; but when one
reads a book on a subject like natural history, to study it, one
must consider the probability of what is written, and not always,
perhaps, jump at the same conclusions as the author. As an in-
stance, in Mr. Gray's book on the birds of Scotland the long-
legged Plover is reported as having been seen on two occasions,
by Don, of Forfarshire, on mountains. Is it in the least probable
one person could at different times see such a bird in such un-
likely places ? Another observer minutely describes the actions
of one, seen with a glass at a distance, and describes it as an
immature bird, even to the eyes, which were red. Does not
this species retain the dark eyes like the Oyster-catcher till it is
mature ? If I am wrong, I willingly apologise ; but it is per-
haps as well to criticise statements so made, which may tend to
make observers more cautious in writing.

Not long ago, in the leading daily paper, a well-known natu-
ralist occupied a considerable space, in which he gave a quotation
from the work of another naturalist on the habits of one of our
common small migratory shore "birds. Until I saw this, it never
struck me these elegant small birds had probably received their
name from their being able to turn a stone of fish ; now, a joke
is a joke, but natural history need not be brought into ridicule.*

I was delighted, on reading Mr. Gurney's book under the head
' ' Birds claimed to be accounted British," to see he has had courage
to tackle such authors as even Yarrell where he thinks they are
wrong, as they sometimes undoubtedly are ; but it requires a
certain amount of courage to do so. I think, however, he has
not even gone far emmgh respecting the spotted Sandpiper — I
refer to the Aberdeen reputed birds. This bird seems to take the
place in America which the Common Sandpiper does in Europe
and Asia, most probably migrating in the same manner. Now,

* The account of the Turnstone sent by Morris from Edwards' Book to the
Times newspaper.

10

I think the state of plumage of these birds should be examined ;
it is not stated whether they are old or young, I think the old
birds of the Common Sandpiper leave us as soon as ever they have
reared their young, and previous to moulting ; at least I never
saw one in the moult. The young leave the inland streams early
in July, coming on to the coast for a few days, sometimes two or
three together, and then suddenly disappear, except stragglers-
I have seen one occasionally as late as October, but all these late
birds are young of the year. Now in August it seems probable
the old birds would have cast some of their quills, and be quite
incapable of taking any such flight as across the Atlantic ; and
the Spotted Sandpiper does not, I believe, go to the far north, as
several of the American Sandpipers which occasionally visit us
do ; and it is more likely these birds reach us along the shore,
taking from some accidental cause the European for the American
continent, and, having once made the mistake, come straight on.
The circumstances of these two species correspond with the Wood-
cocks of the two named tracts of country. Another most un-
likely part of the whole business is that two should have been
together, as this tribe of Sandpipers are generally solitary in their
habits except at breeding time. If it is suggested they started
together to cross the Atlantic, it is even a marvel of bird travel-
ling that they should have been able to keep company for such a
distance, and I must say I cannot believe it.

Two of the very limited number of the British Buff -breasted
Sandpipers are recorded by Yarrel and others as having been ob-
tained at different times by one man. This appears remarkable.
After long experience, one can nearly judge from a British
Sandpiper's appearance to a few weeks of the season it was pro-
cured. It would be satisfactory if some experienced naturalist
would go further into this, and examine the two birds, and give
his opinion whether their plumage corresponds with the different
seasons they were said to have been be killed. This might be
done perhaps by comparing them with skins from America in the
different states of plumage — that is, the young bird after being
fledged, the winter plumage, and that of summer — and to trace
if the changes corresponded with the dates of reputed capture.

11 ,

Is not more notice taken of the sale of Plovers than necessary?
At the price they are sold in London, it would never pay to get
them unless they were taken in quantities, as I believe they are
in Holland by nets, and then only when they are in flocks. The
extent of country inhabited by the Golden Plover and Peewit is
immense. The former probably breeds over the hilly parts of
Norway, Sweden, Lapland, Russia, and Iceland, the greater por-
tion of which is desolate waste ; and when the millions there are
of them are taken into consideration, what does the quantity
captured amount to ? Merely nothing. If they are of so much
importance, why not bring in an Act of Parliament to prevent the
reclamation and improvement of the bogs and waste lands in this
country, on which they ordinarily breed? The extent of country
over which species are scattered varies much ; but a bird like the
Teal, which appears to be common in Europe, Asia, and in winter
in Africa, and even in America, is represented by a closely-allied
species, if not only a permanent variety* — of what consequence
is it that many of them are killed ? By all means give every
one the power to protect these on his own land and water ; but
we certainly should not prevent our neighbours the foreigners
from sending their produce to the best market under the circum-
stances.

A drake Teal in March, when clean and unruffled, is simply a
gem, and how few know it! nothing can surpass its beauty.
When I can easily procure one, I often have it for a few days to
look at, and I have sometimes shown one to others, who have
been surprised at it, and would hardly believe it was an English
bird. And what can exceed the chasteness of the plumage of a
fine drake Garganey at the same season — the exquisite arrange-
ment of lavender and white colours, and the green and brown ?
If we have a complete close time from February 15, no one can
ever again have an opportunity to see one in England, as they
never come even to Holland till late in March ; and even if they
could be procured in autumn, which I much doubt, not a single
bird would be in full plumage.

Living in the northern half of the world, we are always

* I observe the illustration of the Teal in one of my copies of Montagu's
work is taken from the American bird.

12

accustomed to observe all birds migrating north in spring to
breed. Now, I wonder if any species in the southren half mi-
grate southwards to breed in what would be our autumn, but to
them spring, as in August, September, and October, which would
be towards the Antarctic Circle. (On looking at a map of the
world this probably appears unlikely, as there appears to be so
little land free from ice southwards where they could breed, in
comparison to the land about the Artie Circle.) If there is a
southern migration of species inhabiting the southern portion to
breed, they would be acquiring their summer plumage in our
autumn, the very reverse time to that when our northern birds
do; and in cases where the two sets of migratory birds meet (if
they do), the contrary changes in plumage would completely
puzzle anyone. Perhaps some species of shore birds inhabiting
only the southern half of the world do not get a summer plumage.

I suppose that such birds as the Pigmy Curlew and Grey
Plover — the latter migrating to Australia, and the former
throughout the Indian Archipelago (Jerdon's " Birds of India")
— return within the Arctic Circle in Asia to breed ; but for what
cause do they extend their migratory flight so far southward?
It cannot be for food only.

I think I have heard or read that these and similar species,
when met with so far south, are never found in their summer
plumage. It would, therefore, be useful to know the precise
dates when they have been got so far south, to ascertain whether
they all do not again come northward so soon as the approaching
breeding season is about to commence.

There is another point to which attention should be given. In
these day of rapid transit, it is very difficult to say what distance
recently killed birds may be brought ; and collectors should be
warned not to give excessive prices for birds said to be killed in
England or Scotland, unless they get them from very reliable
sources. Nothing is easier than for a Snowy Owl or Eagle to be
sent from Sweden or Norway along with grouse to some eastern
port in Scotland or England, and to be procured there and
forwarded to some other person at a distance with a false account
of its capture, which may be apparently reliable and minute.

13

Even now, April 20, a quantity of Grouse, Capercailzie, and
Black Game have just arrived here in very good condition. How
long they may have been killed I do not know, as I believe they
are collected together and kept frozen ; but the White Grouse
have not commenced to get their breeding plumage. The Black
Game, as usual, are to an accustomed eye a different race to our
own — the cocks, as a rule, larger and darker coloured, and with
larger tails ; the hens invariably much darker than our British
examples, and the markings on the back in many much more
resembling the hen Capercailzie. Norway is a totally different
country to this, and the ground over which the game is bred is
so unbounded in extent that in the breeding season, and after it,
the broods must be far more scattered and difficult to meet with
It is, I believe, in the winter the birds are driven towards the
villages by the snow, and at that time become useful to the
inhabitants. It will be a very long time yet, if it ever can be,
before the country is populated sufficiently to reduce the numbers
of the birds, even suppose all the gunners from Scotland and
England were put down in the country for a season or two. So
soon as the snow goes, the birds go back to the mountains again,
and then it would not pay to follow them, even to send them to
the English market.

Migratory birds being met with, either here or on the Conti-
nent, till the middle of April, and even very much later, should
not lead us to say they breed where they are seen, unless we have
positive facts to guide us. It is only at this time our ordinary
summer visitants, as the Swallows and Warblers, arrive here.
Now most of the same species go very much further north on the
Continent, and, as with the other breeding birds, if they went too
far north too early they would be starved. Many of the birds
we see here till even June are only taking their part in the exten-
sive vernal migration northward, which prevails all round the
world, and in which a far greater number of our species take
part than is generally supposed; and the further north we go,
the later the arrival of the several species will be which intend
to make the north their summer home.

CHABLES MTTEEAY ADAMSON.

MIGRATIONS OF BIRDS.

(Reprinted from "The FieU" Newspaper, Sept., 1866.)

CAN any of your readers tell us about the migrations of the Knot,
Common Godwit, Grey Plover, Sanderling (and even the Dunlin,
though it differs from the others in breeding commonly in some
parts of our Island) ? All these species arrive early in autumn
on our coasts, indeed, as early as the young can fly well ; and
although, except the Dunlin, none of the others breed beyond
the limits of the arctic circle, I have had the young of them
all, with a portion of the down that they got on being hatched
still adhering to parts of the body. From the time the young
birds arrive, these species are met with in greater or less num-
bers, sometimes in vast quantities, during the whole winter,
braving the severest weather; but no sooner has the earliest
spring appeared, than by far the greater portion of them leave
our shores entirely before commencing to get their summer plu-
mage. Now, we should expect that, as spring comes, they would
repair towards their breeding grounds. But do they ? What I
wish to know is where they spend the time that elapses between
March and their appearance in May, when they arrive in greater
or less numbers on various parts of our coast every year, many of
them in their full summer plumage. I think their appearance
in May is when they are actually on their way to their breeding
grounds, as, if they arrive at them by the middle of June, they
would be early enough for the situation, and still have sufficient
time to rear young, which would be in the state we find them in
early in September. We should expect, if they did not appear
again later in the season, that they had gone further north, and
were nearing their breeding grounds as the weather became
milder; but their later appearance in their breeding plumage
renders this supposition unlikely. But where do they all spend
the time they are undergoing the change of plumage and are
absent from us — that is, if they are the same flocks which win-

tered with us ? On the 4th of August I had a Green Sandpiper
sent to me. It is ten days earlier than the young birds usually
arrive : it was, however, an old bird, having nearly lost the
freckled with white plumage on the upper parts, and the quills
and tail were moulting. It is the first time I have noticed an
old bird returned immediately after breeding ; and on the 14th
of August I saw two Greenshanks, evidently passing on their
southern journey, as they were not at the same place on the fol-
lowing day. On imitating their wild cry one came very near,
flying with the usual vigorous flight of the species. Their flight
appears nearly as superior to that of the Redshank as that of the
Swift does to the Martins and Swallows. It is easily known
on the wing from the Redshank by the absence of white on the
quills : indeed, the wings of the Greenshank look quite black,
and contrast well with its white body, particularly as it is seen
when alighting. Near here, at this season, the Greenshank is
as often seen near shallow pools of fresh water and at a distance
from the sea side as near it : later on in the season, when it is
seen, it is always by the sea side. On the 6th of July I met
with the Redshank breeding on the Northumberland moors,
thirty miles from the sea: the young were capable of flying
short distances only, the quill not being of their full length. —
C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).

MIGRATORY BIRDS.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, June 1th, 1862.)

You have many notices of the appearance of the usual migratory
small birds. It is curious to observe how nearly some of them
come to a particular day each year ; equally curious is the mys-
terious manner in which they do come. Perhaps the first ap-
pearance of a species is observed where you would not expect to
hear of it ; then several notices of its appearance are recorded in
various places ; but how do the enormous quantities of Willow
Wrens, Swallows, and other warblers, get dispersed over the
ruuntry :i" tln-y do in their unobtrusive manner? You go out

on an April morning and find every plantation full of Willow
Wrens, where there was scarcely one the day before. Has any
one observed them travelling ? Do they come by night, in large
flocks, or singly ? The numbers of one of the common species
alone dispersed over the country must be surprising, and as there
are so many species on the move about the same time, one would
expect to see or hear of large flocks or single birds being seen
continually arriving ; but one does not, they appear scattered over
the country all at once, at the regular places suitable to them.
Fortunately, this great army of small insect-devourers is not
likely to be diminished in numbers by poisoned grain. — C. M. A.
(Northumberland.)

MIGRATORY BIRDS.

June 6th, 1863.

A SHORT time ago an inquiry was made whether the Starling was
migratory. At first sight this appears to be a question easily
answered, but it is not so. Are not a far greater number of the
species of birds we have migratory than is generally believed ?
Before determining whether a species is migratory, we must not
only look at home, but endeavonr to find out its habits abroad.
We will then probably find that although it may be found
throughout the year in this country, it only appears in others at
certain seasons. The Skylark and Common Thrush are not ge-
nerally supposed to be migratory, but when a severe snowstorm
comes early in the season and remains for a length of time, do
they not migrate from this country ? Indeed, is it not possible
that we get a great many, if not nearly all we have in winter,
from a distance every winter ? We are told that these species
are migratory on some parts of the continent, and therefore if
they are enabled to foretell winter there, why need we doubt
their being able to foretell a severe winter here, and be able to
leave the country before they are overtaken by a storm which
might probably destroy them ? It is interesting to hear accounts <
of the different sort of birds which alight on ships or are seen at

a distance from land ; but notices of their appearance should be
received with caution, as they may come from persons who do not
know the various species sufficiently. Supposing the Starling
has two broods in the year, unless a great portion of them do
migrate and do not return to this country, they would increase
in numbers far more than they do. In autumn, when in large
flocks, and they fly about in their singular manner, may they
not be preparing for a long flight ? They often fly and wheel
about for a considerable time in the evening before settling to
rest, and at that season there certainly appear to be in places
many more than when they return to their breeding places in
the early spring, even taking into consideration that they are
then more scattered about. In the autumn most water birds get
very fat ; this seems to be a provision of nature to enable them
to withstand the cold and scarcity of food in case of severe wea-
ther. Nature has probably given birds the power of knowing
when a severe storm is approaching. How few birds, both in
numbers and species, particularly land birds, are to be seen after
a long continuance of hard weather early in winter. In open
winters like the past some birds, as the Peewit, are never totally
absent ; but when a severe and general storm comes early and
lasts a long time, do such birds not leave the country entirely,
but return immediately on the weather becoming mild? Many
species probably migrate backwards and forwards as they can
procure food, as the Grey Geese, Teal, Plovers, and others. As to
their being able to fly long distances in a very short space of time
there cannot be any doubt. I think hard weather presses birds
most when it has not been very severe during early winter, so
as to drive them away ; but about February, when a great por-
tion of their autumnal condition is lost, if they are then caught
by a severe storm they seem not to be inclined to leave the
country, or probably wait on, expecting mild weather till they
are too weak to get away, and sometimes get very much reduced,
and perhaps perish, but Nature has taken care generally to have
sufficient of each species in different localities to make up for all
casualties. For instance, if it were possible for all the birds of
the most of the species we have in some particular tract of coun-

try to be killed either by storm or failure of food, others of the
same species would probably speedily make their appearance if
the country be adapted for them, and presently occupy the same
ground. There seems to be no rule for the migration of birds.
Some species, the Arctic Tern for instance, is a summer resident
only on our coast : it appears to be the same in Greenland. If
it can procure food and what is requisite for its young, one won-
ders why it should travel so great a distance spparently unneces-
sarily. In some places the Common, Sandwich, and Roseate
Terns associate with the Arctic Tern while breeding, and seem to
require the same food and situation for their nests. Why do
they not, also, go so far north ? How is it that the Little Auk,
when it comes from its northern haunts in autumn and early in
winter to these shores, is generally found dead or dying — at any
rate, very lean and exhausted ? where is its regular winter home,
where it must be in millions ? What becomes of the Phalaropes
in winter? I have never seen the old Red-necked Phalarope in
its winter plumage, a bird of the year only appearing occasionally
in autumn : the Grey Phalarope, also, only occasionally pays us
a visit during his autumnal migration, and not one in fifty is an
old bird. Where can the hosts of Knots, Common Godwits, Grey
Plovers, and Sanderlings, which sometimes visit us, breed in
Europe ? The breeding grounds of the Knot, Grey Plover, and
Sanderling are known in North America, but the Common God-
wit is not an American species, though it appears exactly at the
same seasons and manner as those other species last mentioned,
on oui' coasts. How do the young birds of the year only, of
many species, find their way to us in autumn, as the Great Snipe,
Pigmy Curlew, Little Stint, Temminck's Sandpiper, Green Sand-
piper, Spotted Redshank, and others? Why does the Black-
headed Gull sometimes depart from its usual custom and breed
by the sea side, and the Lesser Black-backed Gull sometimes
leave the sea and breed on the moors far inland ? The distribu-
tion of species is curious. In many instances, one is found in
particular districts and at particular seasons only, coming with
great regularity, and rarely observed except at those places,
whilst another nearly allied, gets generally distributed through-

out the country. One often hears a great outcry about a bird
having been killed, as if the species really suffered to any extent
by its death. Those who make the outcry apparently do not
remember that the most beautiful and interesting species — be it
bird, insect, or flower — was not intended to, nor does it, escape
contributing its share for the benefit of others. If the bird be
a migratory one, it had to run the risk of being lost either in a
gale or fog, or, perhaps, when fatigued after reaching land, fall-
ing a prey to a Hawk or some other natural enemy. No doubt,
destroying a pair of birds which have come to breed at a parti-
cular place, you and others may, perhaps, be deprived of the
pleasure of hearing and seeing the species for the season ; but
the individuals killed are of small account in estimating the
number of the species. Few species, I think, are really rare,
that is, few in number. I apprehend the difficulty is to find
their peculiar locality, and at it they will not be uncommon.
The reason of this supposition is that, judging from a bird like
the Grey Plover, it is probable, from its being a numerous spe-
cies, its breeding ground will extend in Europe over a very great
extent of country, like the Golden Plover ; and if this is so, and
its breeding ground is yet unknown to us, there must be plenty
of ground yet unsearched where many species that appear rare
to us may be abundant. The exceptions to this seems to be such
birds only as have not the usual means of escape, namely, wings.
Where such birds existed, and were confined, perhaps, to a li-
mited district, and there killed out or nearly so, there can be no
source left from which to replenish the depopulated country.
Many complaints are made of the few wild ducks in comparison
to what there were formerly. The reason in a great measure
probably is that nearly all the small strands, backwaters, and
shallows, by the river and lake sides, where they used to feed
at nights, are drained, and consequently do not hold water long
enough to breed the insect and shell, and grow the plant food on
which they feed ; and the birds, being deprived of their feeding
grounds, do not remain in the neighbourhood, even though the
main water is left untouched. I have derived the greatest plea-
sure from seeing birds alive and wild, and also from sometimes

getting hold of a recently killed bird, the shape and colour of
the legs, beak, and other parts, in some species, look so fresh
and beautiful ; and without having dead birds, it is not possible
to learn anything about the changes of plumage, food, and other
matters. No one, however, regrets more than I do their wanton
destruction, and their being driven away by what are so often
termed improvements in the country. When we are informed
that some of the smaller species of humming birds scatter them-
selves over a great portion of North America during the summer
and retire before winter after breeding, why need we be surprised
at the powers of flight the larger birds have ? C. M. A.

BRITISH SPECIES OF BIRDS IN INDIA AND
AMERICA.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Sept. 22nd, 1865.)

SLR, — On looking over Jerdon's " Bird's of India," I find so
many of our common species that I have been tempted to make
a list, for comparison, of those found there; and, having done
so, I have marked with a f those met with also in North Ame-
rica. Perhaps this list may interest some of your readers. The
number of species, the same in India as with us, appears to be
about one hundred and ten, and of these nearly forty are also
met with in North America. I have inserted a few species
where either a permanent variety or a most nearly allied species
represents the one in another country. Those in the list are
chiefly migratory birds and chiefly water birds, and their appear-
ance in India corresponds generally with that here, as well as in
America. Now I must observe that I do not wish anyone who
may read this to suppose for one instant that it is anything like
correct ; there is no one living who could make a strictly correct
account, nor will there ever be. The subject will occupy man's
attention for ever, as there must always be diversity of opinion
as to what constitutes a species and what a permanent variety.

ft

LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN

(those marked with a f

fPeregriue Falcon.

Hobby.

Merlin.

Kestrel.
fGoshawk.

Sparrowhawk.
fGolden Eagle.
fOsprey.
fCommon Buzzard.

Hen Harrier.

Ash-coloured Harrier.

Moor Buzzard.
fLong-eared Owl.
fShort-eared Owl.
fCommon Swallow.
fSand Martin.

Swift.

JSee-eater.

Roller.

Wryneck.

Cuckoo.

Hoopoe.

Fieldfare.

Redwing.

Wheatear.

Redstart.

Willow Wren.

Lesser Whitethroat.

Treelark
fRaven.

Camon Crow.

Rook.

Jackdaw.

Starling.

Rose-coloured Starling.

Tree Sparrow.

Ortolan.

Black-headed Bunting.

Mountain Finch.

Quail.

INDIA WHICH ARE BRITISH SPECIES
being also found in North America).

fGrey Plover.
Kentish Plover.
Peewit.

Norfolk Plover.
fTurnstone.
Oyster Catcher.
Solitary Snipe (distinct or larger

variety than European).
Crane.

Woodcock (represented in Ame-
rica by another totally dis-
tinct species).
Snipe (represented by very nearly

allied species, if distinct).
Jack Snipe.

Curlew (represented in Ame-
rica by distinct species).
Whimbrel (ditto).
Black-tailed Godwit (called by

Jerdon Lesser Godwit).
Ruff.
fKnot.

fPigmy Curlew.
fDunlin.

Little Stint (nearly allied spe-
cies in America).
Temminck's Stint.
fSanderling.
fGrey Phalarope.
fRed-necked Phalarope.
Wood Sandpiper (Glareola ; called
by Jerdon Spotted Sandpiper^
Green Sandpiper.
Common Sandpiper (represented
in America by Spotted Sand-
piper, closely allied, but quite
distinct).
fGreenshank.
Redshank.
Spotted Redshank.

9

Longlegged Plover.

Avocet (represented in America
by closely allied species).

Coot.
fWater Hen.

Spotted Crake.

Black Stork.

Stork.

Heron.

Purple Heron.

Little Bittern.

Bittern.
fNight Heron.

Spoonbill (represented in Ame-
rica by totally distinct but
closely allied species).
fGlossy Ibis.

Common Wild Goose (origin of
Domestic Geese).

Pink-footed Goose.
fWhite-footed Goose,

Ruddy Sheldrake.

Sheldrake.
fShoveller.
fMallard.
tGadwell.

f Pintail.

fWigeon (? permanent variety in

America, or distinct species).

fTeal (? permanent variety in

America, or distinct species).

Garganey (represented in Ame-
rica by the Blue-winged Teal.

Red-crested Pochard.
fPochard,

White-eyed Pochard.
fScaup Duck.

Tufted Duck (represented by a
nearly allied species, with
brown band round neck).
fGoosander.
fSmew.
fCrested Grebe.

Little Grebe.
fGreat Black -backed Gull.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Black-headed Gull.
fGull-billed Tern.
fCommon Tern.
fLittle Tern
tCormorant.

Many of our other species seem to be represented in India by
closely allied species, as the Cushat, Eock Dove, Stock Dove,
Golden Plover, Solitary Snipe, and others. I have sometimes
had opportunities of seeing skins of some of these species from
India. The wading birds have been generally in their mature
winter plumage, and from that changing and changed to sum-
mer— no young birds in their first plumage being amongst them
that I remember.

It seems difficult to account for the absence from India of
some of the eastern European species, which either do not, or
rarely appear westward. We might expect such species to be
more likely to occur there than some of those which do, and
which are equally common on the American continent, appearing

10

there according to the seasons, as in India and with us. Such
birds as the real Bimaculated Duck and the Red-breasted Goose
may very likely spread over a great portion of Northern Asia,
and yet not migrate so far south as India. There can, however,
be little doubt but that some species are distributed laterally to
a much greater extent than others. If anyone takes a map of
the world and looks at the extent of country inhabited by a spe-
cies, which occurs in all the four quarters of the globe, and pro-
bably breeds in three of them — Europe, Asia, and America — he
may consider the numbers it is likely to consist of, and the little
fear there consequently is of any appreciable harm being done in
killing, you may say, any quantity you can.

The summer residence of a bird is properly its home ; thither
it goes to perform the office nature intended it. Probably
throughout the northern portion of the world a similar migra-
tion is taking place at the same season, the unbounded and thinly
populated swamps, and wastes, and forests during summer afford-
ing food and shelter for myriads of old birds repairing to them at
that season, and which (probably multiplied on an average three-
fold by their young), on the advance of autumn again scatter
themselves to obtain food, as well as to form food for man and
other animals. The same process has gone on since the com-
mencement of time, and will continue to do so as long as the
world lasts. Though some birds are summer migrants with us,
and others winter migrants, the same course is pursued, and for
similar purposes ; the only difference is, that our summer mig-
rants are more tender than those of winter. It would appear
that those species whose visits are least frequent are not intended
to be our companions, and consequently their destruction is of
little importance. If the species is intended to be useful in a
country, it establishes itself in spite of all opposition. The elas-
ticity, if I may so call it, of species is surprising. Who could
estimate the number of Skylarks used annually in London alone ?
And yet the species is as plentiful as ever, and that without
man's aid. Nature's supplies appear to be without limit in most

C. M. A.

11

STRAY THOUGHTS ABOUT BIRDS— THEIR
MIGRATIONS, ETC.

(Reprinted from " The Field," Octocer, 1865.

THE Birds of England might be divided into four imaginary
groups — first, those which remain throughout the year; se-
condly, those which come to us for the summer ; thirdly, those
which come for the winter ; and fourthly, those which visit us,
but remain neither summer nor winter. And the fourth group
might be again separated into those whose visits are periodical,
and possess some degree of regularity in their passage to or from
their winter and summer haunts, and those which come only at
uncertain and irregular periods.

Though I have made four divisions, it would be impossible to
class certain species in any particular one of them, as many birds
would have to be considered, perhaps, as belonging to more than
one, in consequence of the different counties where observations
might be taken ; besides which, it is not possible to know whe-
ther the same species found at different seasons is composed of
the same individuals. "We, however, certainly have a great
number of species. Generally speaking, the further north such
observations are made the more summer visitants are found in
comparison to the number of species ; and when you get to the
extreme north all will be summer visitants, with few exceptions
indeed.

"With respect to residents, it seems by no means certain that
many species which are found at all seasons in some counties,
aud which are generally considered to be residents, are entirely
so. Some certainly appear to be, as the Red Grouse and Black
Grouse ; but is the Partridge strictly so ? Is it not migratory
in some countries ? It appears in the north of England in severe
seasons either to leave the high pasture lands, or be killed off,
and it does not appear to get dispersed, over the ground again

12

unless several mild seasons occur in succession. Moreover, does
it not sometimes cross the Channel ?

With respect to the second group, so much has been written
about the periods of arrival and departure of the commoner kinds,
that I will pass them over, only remarking how little is known
about their proceedings during their absence from us, and the
distance travelled by them between the time of their leaving us
and their return.

The third group comprises many species, some of whose sum-
mer haunts are pretty well ascertained ; but it also comprises
other common species, whose summer haunts are still but little
known to us, as the Knot, Sanderling, Common Godwit, Grey
Plover, Smew, and many others.

The first portion of the fourth group comprises several species
which formerly were of the second group, but whose haunts and
habits with us have become changed by man's work ; such are
the Bustard, Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Spoonbill, probably
the Black Tern, and others. The breeding-grounds of each of
these species appear to have been very limited in extent in this
country ; and those places having been destroyed, and no others
suitable for the birds being at hand, they have in consequence
retired elsewhere ; but probably as species they are as numerous
as ever they were. This group comprises many species which
appear to have the widest range of flight ; some of the species
which probably breed in the far north merely pass us and spend
the winter elsewhere, as the Pigmy Curlew, Little Stint, the
Phalaropes, Buffon's Skua, Pomerine Skua, Little Gull, and
others ; whilst other species breeding a much shorter distance
northward, although strictly migratory, belong to the third
group, as the Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, and several others.

I have often wondered that the Black-tailed Godwit is not
more frequently met with in the north of England and Scotland.
It appears to be a common summer bird in Iceland, but is not
known in America ; consequently we might expect to meet with
it on its passage to Iceland to and from its winter quail
which are apparently in much warmer clinn-.s than our Island
Now I never knew an authentic instance of its being seen on

13

our north coast in spring. I have known it killed in July in a
few instances, old birds apparently having bred. I have also
on one or two occasions met with young birds killed in August
on the Solway shores. Whether these are stragglers from Iceland
it is not for me to say ; but what becomes of the regular flights
from that country ? It is quite different with the Common God-
wit — it is not known to breed in Iceland, neither is it known in
America ; but in September the young birds are sometimes com-
mon, and the species is to be found all through the winter and
till the spring months, some getting much spotted with red be-
fore leaving in April. Occasionally we even see them in red
plumage, apparently stragglers from the flocks which appear on
the south coast in May, on their journey to their unknown breed-
ing quarters. Old birds when red are rarely seen in early au-
tumn. Now, this species seems to migrate in autumn from east
to west, whilst the other appears to migrate from west to east ;
but so little appears to me to be known at present of the migra-
tions of birds, that the more one thinks about them, the less he
finds he knows. The Knot appears to migrate in the same course
as the Common Godwit ; still the former is equally common in
America and here, whilst the latter is unknown there. I have
shot a Knot returned from its breeding ground as early as July
1 9th, in its full summer plumage. In the early part of August
a few old birds generally occur, much faded in plumage. It is
curious to observe how greatly the plumage fades between the
time of their departure for breeding and that of their return ; by
the latter end of August the young arrive. The species is to be
found almost invariably by the sea-side throughout the winter,
and sometimes as late as May ; but I never saw one killed here
(Northumberland) in the red plumage they get before departing
to breed, and in which they are met with on the south-east
coasts. I have seen them in May here without any red feathers
at all.

Migratory birds remind me of what is said of the wind— we
hear the sound, but cannot tell whence it cometh or whither it
goeth ; so it is with them — we see them, but are unable to tell
whence coming or whither going. Some of the species of birds

14

enumerated as English may have escaped from captivity, and being
afterwards shot, have been described as British. Some may have
been described as British in other ways — the Spotted Sandpiper
for instance, which seems in the new world to take the place of
the Common Sandpiper in the old. Was the Spotted Sandpiper
ever thought of as British till Bewick's figure of a Common
Sandpiper, with the wrong name, appeared ? and the bird, hav-
ing thus been admitted as British, has not some over-anxious
bird-stuffer made American specimens British for profit's sake ?
When it is considersd how rarely correct information is obtained
in such matters, such a suggestion as I have made may not be
far from right. I have no object but a desire to have facts pro-
perly represented, neither to make species commoner nor rarer
than they really are. When I collected birds I would rarely
keep one unless I had the bird before it was skinned.

Questions are sometimes asked, in consequence of the early
appearance of a Woodcock, if it was likely to have bred in the
neighbourhood. This year during the fall (October 10th) several
Woodcocks have been seen and shot on the coast — you may say,
during their migration, as I believe they are sometimes watched
for and shot before actually alighting. But an opinion as to
where they were bred must, it seems to me, be the merest con-
jecture, as their breeding-grounds, when suitable localities occur,
probably reach from Western Europe to Eastern Asia. I do not
think that any Woodcocks bred in England are at all likely to
remain over winter, or even Snipes. Woodcocks are sometimes
met with in August ; these, probably, are stragglers, which have
bred, or been bred, in England or Scotland, and are then on their
journey southward. It is impossible to form an opinion of the
migrations of a particular species from one spot, or to form a ge-
neral idea from one species; but though each species has its
peculiarities, there is generally some similarity in the habits of
nearly-allied species. The Common Snipe appears in such places
as suit it during the breeding season, and for a short time only
after the young can fly well they are to be found in the vicinity
— the old birds remaining until the wings are again perfect, which
is about the beginning of September. After this time the neigh-

15

bourhood seems deserted ; but as winter advances these birds are
again dispersed over the country in the same manner as the Jack
Snipes, and I am inclined to think that, like them, those then
found come from a distance.

I have seen in The Field recently the remarks about the eggs
of the Jack Snipe. My impression on reading them was that it
was a Quail's nest that was found. Has the Jack Snipe ever
really been detected breeding in England? All nests said to
have been of it appear to have been those of the Dunlin. Why
the Jack Snipe does not breed in England, while the common
one does so commonly, is one of the mysteries we cannot fathom.
So far as we know, it seems to be a less numerous species, and
to have a more limited range than the Common Snipe. It would
be quite impossible for the Jack Snipe to cover nine eggs of the
size it lays ; indeed, it is only by the singular way they are
placed in the nest that it can cover its four.

With respect to the Woodcocks of the old and new worlds,
you have the two species totally distinct, and their districts dis-
tinct ; each species is as typical as the other, and each as far
removed from any other genus or species. I saw in the Exhi-
bition of 1861 a photograph of a European Woodcock which had
been found dead (if I remember right) on the Labrador coast ;
and it was stated to be the only instance of its occurrence in
America. That some species, as the three Divers, are the same
on both continents, and others, as the Woodcocks, though totally
distinct, yet nearly allied, and apparently taking the place of
each other, is very singular. The only three known species of
Divers appear to be equally common in the northern regions, on
the continents of both the old and new worlds, and to have simi-
lar habits ; each of the species is as typical of the genus as the
others, and none of them appears to be more nearly allied to any
other genus than the others ; and though the three species are
closely allied to each other, how wide is the distance, compara-
tively speaking, between them and any other genus. In fact,
it is not easy to connect any other bird with them. In many
respects how much they differ from the Guillemots and even the
Grebes.

16

It appears to me the original framers of the game laws under-
stood the uncertain appearance of the migratory birds (which
they omitted as game, but which required a game certificate to
follow) better than the generality of people do at the present
day — such are Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, and Landrail, which were
wisely considered, like wildfowl, as belonging to anyone on
whose ground they were for the time. The Quail is generally
considered a summer bird, and probably migrates regularly in
spring and autumn. The only instances I have met with it alive
and procured it were twice — once on the 1st of January, and
once on the 3rd of the same month, in different years — both
birds being very fat, and their crops full of the seeds of a weed
commonly called fat-hen.

It is difficult to account for some species not increasing rapidly
in number. Instance the Landrail and Starling. The former
comes abundantly the first week in May in each year, and lays
from eight to ten eggs. Many undoubtedly are destroyed, but
still the destruction of the species here can be nothing in com-
parison to those reared in safety, and which quietly and imper-
ceptibly leave the country previous to the crops being removed
from the ground ; but the species does not apparently increase
as one would expect it to do under the circumstances. The
Starling comes to its regular breeding places in spring, and lays
about six eggs. The number destroyed certainly is nothing to be
compared to the increase there is in autumn, at which season you
meet with flocks of hundreds, but which disappear before winter,
and the next spring only about the ordinary number come as be-
fore. I fancy there must be some active agent destroying them
in other countries that we know nothing of, as decidedly far
more go away than ever return. Similar remarks might be
made about many of our summer visitors. Apparently the num-
bers that come' the following year have little reference to the
previous year. It would appear that so many are bred, so many
are required, and still the number requisite to replenish the stock
is always forthcoming. It is not as if England alone monopo-
li-rd a species in summer : the migration of each species probably,
and more frequently than not, extends from east to west of a

17

quarter of the globe. It oven seems doubtful whether the de-
struction of some of the larger species of migratory Hawks in
England really lessens their numbers. Many of them are only
migrants here, merely as stragglers, periodically passing from
the vast tracts of ground where they spend the summer unmo-
lested, and probably each species never was commoner in England
than at the present time — for instance, the Goshawk, Rough-
legged Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, the Jer-falcon, the Osprey, and
others ; and I even think that if these birds were not interfered
with when they do visit us, no perceptible amount of injury
would ensue, as they are all wanderers, and seldom tarry long
at one place. C. M. A.

THE WOODCOCK.
Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Dec. 27th, 1862.

THE number of Woodcocks in many places this season will per-
haps satisfy some persons that there is no probability or possibi-
lity of the species being exterminated. It seems impossible to
account for their migrations, but it appears to be now ascertained
that, like the whole of the tribe of Sandpipers and Plovers,
they leave the places where they have been bred soon after they
are well able to fly. Why the majority of those which come in
autumn leave certain woods soon after their arrival, when, per-
haps, during the whole winter a few may be found, and those
probably very fat, is difficult to say : it seems to show that it is
not want of food that takes them away. The only way to make
out whether there are different races of Woodcocks would be to
visit their breeding places during summer, and ascertain what
the pairs of birds are like which are breeding together. It may
happen that the nights are sometimes composed of birds of one
sex only, and that would account for large birds, probably all
females, being sometimes found at one time, and smaller birds,
probably all males, being found at another time. I have given
very great attention to the changes in the plumage of waders,
and consider that after the general autumnal moult, the year

18

after the birds arc hatched, it is not possible to distinguish the
age of a bird of this tribe by its plumage. At or previous to
that time the bird loses all trace of its first feathers, and the
change afterwards is regular from winter to summer ; and sur-
prising in some species are those changes. No two things in
nature are exactly alike ; doubtless every intermediate state be-
tween the extremes, both in weight and colour, are to be found.
I have an accidental variety ; more than throe-quarters of the
bird are as white ns a Ptarmigan in winter. — C. M. A. (Newoastle-
on-Tyne.)

ON THE APPEARANCE OF THE SAND GROUSE IN
ENGLAND.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, June 20*//, 1863.

EVERY one, whether fond of Natural History or merely of shoot-
ing, who has read the notices of these birds having been shot
and seen at the various localities in England, must be astonished
at their having visited us. When we consider the part of the
world ordinarily inhabited by them, their appearance here is
really surprising, and it makes one desirous if possible to try to
account for it ; had it been the European Sand Grouse, and its
progress towards us had been gradual, coming nearer to us year
by year, we might have expected that it would ultimately have;
acclimatised itself, or at any rate have paid us occasional visits ;
but the immense space between the countries inhabited by the
present bird and our island, seems to render its either remaining
with us or visiting us again, perhaps for very many years, un-
certain and even improbable. The only supposition we can ar-
rive at is, that some flight or flights (probably daring a regular
migration) have been by some accidental cause utterly lost, and
have by mere chance reached our Island. Though it is called a
Grouse, it is very dissimilar to any bird of that tribe we have ;
the formation of the wing is unlike that of any of our species,
the secondaries are short and the primaries rapidly increase in
length, showing that it will have a dili'oivnt flight from them.

19

It is probably a bird intended by nature to take very long flights
over huge tracts of desolate sandy and barren country to procure
food, and it seems scarcely likely that the present enclosed state
of this country could suit it ; however, from the quantity seen,
and the extent of the country where they have been, there must
have been many flocks which have not been met with or disturbed
at all, and it will be fair to see whether any do remain. Their
disappearance will probably be as unexpected as their appear-
ance ; it seems very doubtful whether any of these (I call them
lost) birds will ever reach their native country again. If no birds
were to be shot we would probably have remained in ignorance
of the interesting appearance amongst us of these strangers.
Fortunately, birds are not easily driven from ground they have
a liking to. It is a difficult matter to drive Partridges from a
particular field ; they become wilder by being disturbed and re-
peatedly shot at, but they are not easily made to forsake the field
entirely, except perhaps by removing the crop on which they
either feed or amongst which they find shelter. — C. M. A.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper far August 8th, 1863.

SIR, — I hope the severe remarks relating to the killing of Sand
Grouse will not deter your correspondents from giving further
accounts about them ; and I hope that any communications you
may get about their moulting, nesting, or departure will be such
as may be relied on. We have as yet heard little which leads
us to believe that they came here for the purpose of breeding.
No one has told us that they had paired, and the pair had sepa-
rated from the flocks; should they not be discovered breeding
here, the fact of the number having been shot cannot reasonably
be given as the cause of their not having done so, as there must
have been numbers of flocks unobserved and undisturbed; but
supposing every flock had been seen, and that one half of the
number in each flock had been killed, that would not have pre-
vented the remainder from breeding if they had come here for
such purpose. Birds cannot tell each other that they will all

•20

be killed if they remain, and advise their companions to go where
they will be better received ; they were probably as likely to
have remained at Heligoland as with us. Professor Gatke, in
his letter, does not wish any of your readers to suppose that the
birds which he enumerates as having been met with, if they had
not been killed, would either have remained to breed, or have
returned the next season; they appear there by accident, the
individuals having missed their regular migratory course. I
for one am glad that they have been met with, and that notice
of their having been found has been given as he has given it.
It is oftentimes very difficult indeed to make out the sex of birds,
even after careful examination; and any information on that
subject got from an ordinary bird-stuffer should be received with
caution. "We hear much more about the destruction of birds at
the present time than there is occasion for. No one regrets more
than I do their being killed for no purpose ; but to try to dis-
courage young men from the pleasure of blending the sport of
shooting and the study of Natural History together, is to deprive
them of a most useful and amusing occupation. Much informa-
tion would be gained if more of them would follow such a plea-
sant pursuit as Ornithology, and in which so much has yet to be
learnt ; and the time they would devote to it might be very much
worse spent. Not only so, but I maintain that all things in
nature were given to us to study and admire, and that there is
no harm in destroying animals for the purpose of studying nature
in all its branches, notwithstanding opposite views are taken by
so many persons. Surely the most miserably-stuffed bird in a
poor man's house, if he chooses to have it, is as useful as a bird
shot by a rich man for the purpose of being eaten ; or one of those
which are commonly called vermin, killed, and nailed against a
wall.

I cannot believe that any amount of protection will induce birds
to breed regularly in this Island which only occasionally visit
us, and which are not accustomed to breed here. I saw this
spring a notice of a Hoopoe having been shot, which on exami-
nation showed that it was a breeding bird. At the time I re-
gretted that your correspondent did not show beyond a doubt

21

that it had a nest. If he had gone again to the place he would
most likely have seen the other bird, or at any rate he might
have heard of it ; he might have ascertained whether there was
a likely place for the nest, and have sought day and night till he
found it, and cleared up the matter satisfactorily. I would be the
last person to disturb a Hoopoe at its nest ; but even if one was
found, and the young got away, there would be no certainty to
have either the old birds or the young at the same place the fol-
lowing year. It cannot surely be supposed, by any reasonable
person, that all the individuals of the rarer species of birds which
occasionally come to us are killed or even seen ; and if they are
not, it seems to me that conclusions that they would breed here
are arrived at upon very insufficient grounds. If the nest of a
rare bird is found it should not be recorded from what has been
told to any person only, but the fact should be capable of proof.
What reason have we for supposing that the two Cranes noticed
in Orkney or Shetland, and one of which was shot, were of op-
posite sexes ? It appears to me that the chances against their
settling there were a thousand to one. "We cannot control the
flight of migratory birds, or keep them one day longer than their
appointed time. One of the Cranes having been shot would
rather make it appear that they were not wild birds, or if wild,
that they were out of condition and lost. I fancy it is no easy
matter to shoot a Avild Crane in good health.

The number of birds wanted for the legitimate study of Na-
tural History, by almost any number of persons, will never be
missed. It is not killing a few birds here and there that does
any great harm. It is the improvement of the land which pre-
vents Bustards, Cranes, Storks, and these kind of birds, migrat-
ing to us, or passing over us. Their day here (if they ever were
common, which is doubtful, the name having in some instances
changed by which birds were formerly known) is irretrievably
past : even the beautiful Heron is decreasing in number as po-
pulation increases and gets more dispersed. There is, unfortu-
nately, no help for it. C. M. A.

22

SAND GROUSE AND OTHER BIRDS.

(Reprinted from "The Field" Newspaper, October 3rd, 1863.

SIK, — I have looked each week (more particularly since Partridge
shooting commenced) in the expectation of seeing some notice of
the occurrence of a young Sand Grouse having been obtained,
which would have almost settled the question whether these
birds had really visited us for the purpose of coming permanently
amongst us, or might lead us to expect that they would return
again another season ; and I must add that I should have been
pleased to see such a notice and to find that I was wrong in con-
sidering that the flight which did come had been lost, and had
arrived here by mere chance ; but, without having seen such no-
tice, I cannot help thinking that, had they come to breed, their
having been shot at would not have caused them to abandon
their intention. Probably the whole of those which visited
Europe would not be a greater number than might have been
trapped in their native country in a single day. Should any of
your readers have authentic information of any of them having
paired, I hope he will be so good as to send it for insertion in
T/te Field, where the notice will no doubt be duly appreciated.
Of course, it can be of little importance to any one to keep back
the truth, and what is interesting is the truth, and it only.

At the meeting of the British Association, recently held here,
I understood a gentleman to give as the reason of the Woodcock
becoming scarce in England that the eggs, being considered a
delicacy by the Norwegians, were gathered there. Can any of
your readers give us any information on this matter ? In the
first place, what proof have we that the Woodcocks which come
to us do come from Norway ? In the next, the shell of the egg
is so very thin, it seems improbable that the inhabitants could
pack them and send them to any distance to the towns ; and they
themselves probably cat all sorts of eggs they are fortunate
enough to meet with ; and the country over which Woodcocks
breed is probably so thinly populated, and of such enormous

extent, that it appears equally improbable that the eggs could
be gathered in any quantities to do any damage to the species
which could be observed.

The letter in The Field of the 15th August, headed "The
Little Bird," is of great interest, could we understand the sub-
ject of it thoroughly ; but on reading it attentively many things
appear which require more knowledge to understand than many
of us possess, or, at first sight, even think of. There are some
statements which seem hardly what we might have expected ;
for instance, the observations about the Hoopoe, which you have
already noticed. Are we to suppose that it kills birds ? and, if
it does, in what manner ? and, if not, how does it get them to
feed on ?

It seems pretty clear from it that none of the Owls enumerated
arc game destroyers, and, perhaps, in consequence of nothing
having beea said against them, and so much said in their favour,
they may be less persecuted in future. It also seems clear that
the Jay and Magpie are not worse than the Rook, and therefore
if the former birds are to be destroyed, why not destroy the latter
also ? It should not be forgotten that, although birds are de-
vourers of insects, they not only take those which feed on vege-
tables, but they also destroy numbers of insects which are insect
feeders themselves, and which are perhaps as great benefactors
to man as the birds which feed on them are. Dragonflies and
Ichneumons feed on insects ; and even the Wasp seems to feed
on Aphides, the larva of the Ichneumons, to such a supposed
extent as in some years to render the perfect insect of some of
the butterflies very scarce. The grub state of the Ladybird
Beetle feeds on Aphides, and although when observed, as it is
generally taken for a Caterpillar on the roses and other plants,
and killed in consequence, it is really there looking for its food.
This may be seen by taking one in your hand, and placing some
Aphides near it ; you may see it thrust its head into an Aphis,
aud suck it away till nothing remains but its skin.

Do not birds generally move about much more than is supposed?
I have known many instances of the Kingfisher appearing in
autumn at bum sides, where they certainly were not bred, or had

24

not bred, and could not, as there were no bank sides suitable for
them to breed in. The reason of their coming is not obvious ;
they come to particular places, and although they come to such
places in autumn, sometimes each year, they do not remain long,
but merely seem to come in passing. Was the Kingfisher ever
a common bird in Northumberland? There probably are in-
stances known of its having bred, but is it not possible that those
which are to be found stuffed have been collected year after year
for a number of years ? and may they not have been shot during
a temporary residence only, at the places where they were ob-
tained ? Many of the rivers in Northumberland seem scarcely
suitable for it to breed near; they seem to be too rapid and
stony. Are not the places where it is most frequently observed
quiet, almost still, clear, deep waters, with occasional shallows,
overhung with trees, and sometimes even at ponds ? "Where are
the Kingfishers coming from, and whither going, which visit us
in autumn ? We generally suppose that birds migrate towards
the south as winter approaches, but is the Kingfisher commonly
met with further north? The Crested Grebe and the Eared
Grebe are not uncommon on our coast, and the Little Grebe is
common at some places in winter, but they do not appear to breed
so far north as Northumberland.

I cannot help thinking that my argument must hold good to a
certain extent, which is this, that many birds come to us totally
irrespective of others of the same species having been previously
here, whether killed, or protected, or not ; and I come to the
conclusion from the fact of birds, and even whole flocks of mig-
ratory birds, coming in autumn, which are often composed en-
tirely of young birds hatched that year, no birds of greater age
being observed either migrating before them or accompanying
them. Certainly my observations relate principally to wilding
birds ; but if it is so with them, why may it not be the same with
others ? I should state that the plumage of the young birds of
that tribe varies so much from that of the old birds, that any
mistake to a person acquainted with the species is not likely to
occur. Many wading birds merely pay us migratory visits in
passing and repassing in spring and autumn, and many of the-

25

species come only irregularly — some seasons passing without any
being observed, some appearing only in autumn, others appearing
at both seasons ; probably almost all that do come are mere strag-
glers from the great flocks spreading themselves over the country
in search of food in winter, and again returning to their breeding
places the following spring.

The Ruff formerly bred at suitable places in England abun-
dantly, but in consequence of its breeding places having been
drained, it is now a very rare bird in most places in England in
its summer plumage. The old birds probably leave us before
moulting their wing feathers in September. I never saw one
killed moulting its quills, and I therefore presume the old birds
which breed in England leave so soon as the young can be left
to themselves, the males perhaps soon after the females begin to
sit ; and the old bird in its winter plumage is very much less
frequently met with. In September, some years since, flocks,
composed exclusively of young birds of the year, used to come
to Prestwick Carr, probably on their way from Sweden, and re-
mained two or three weeks. Some years many more came than
others. If some of these were killed, then, would that make it
probable that a smaller number would come the next year ? or,
if none had been killed, would they remain one day longer ? I
think it unlikely. This bird occasionally bred there, and a nest
was sometimes found when no Ruff in full plumage had been
observed that year. I am convinced that birds move about much
more than is generally believed. How soon the Garganey and
Shoveller leave their breeding ground after the young can fly.
I have known several pairs of the latter to breed, but so soon do
the young take their departure, that not one has been shot in the
neighbourhood between the breeding season and far into winter,
and then the probability is that the birds met with have come
from a distance. I never remember to have seen a Garganey in
the London market amongst the quantities of wildfowl sent there
during the autumn or winter, and therefore presume they retire
to other countries so soon as the young are able to fly well ; and
it seems probable that most of even the commoner species of wild
ducks which breed with us leave us in winter, and that their

26

places are at that season taken by birds which come from a dis-
tance. I have seen flocks of young Teal migrating along the
shore as early as July. Many migratory birds, particularly those
which come in winter, appear to come in greater or less quanti-
ties according to the wetness or dryness of the season, the supply
of food, and the severity or mildness of the season ; perhaps not
here only. Those species which come few in number and appear
rare, are probably mere stragglers from the greater numbers
which are passing eastward, and which are probably equally nu-
merous as a species, but which come here, I think, totally irre-
spective of the number shot or caught here. When we take into
consideration the number of such species as the Brentgoose and
"Wigeon, not only those which come to us, but those which spread
themselves over other countries in winter, a few hundreds killed,
more or less, really amounts to nothing, and no fewer will come
the following year in consequence of their having been killed.

The Crossbill and the Chatterer seem to come most curiously,
particularly the latter bird. Many years sometimes elapse be-
tween their visits. Can it be supposed that shooting a few when
they do come has anything to do with the number that may come
in after years ? I think not. But at the same time I do not
wish to have them killed when they do come, but should be only
too glad to have an opportunity of seeing them every year, and
in great numbers.

Can any one tell us any thing about the departure of the Corn-
crakes? They leave us in the same mysterious manner year
after year, and we get no more knowledge about them. If man
could control the flight of birds, either by protection or any other
means, what capital sport might be had with this species. In
summer, in many districts, every meadow holds a nest ; yet, after
their general autumnal migration — which must take place early
;ui'l by night, or they would be observed, it is an uncommon
occurrence rather than otherwise to meet with one, though some-
times one may be met with so late as December even.

Probably, were the feeding grounds of the birds not destroyed
and curtailed, and they had space left them where they could
sometimes retire to, we should still have abundance of them, in

27

spite of all the shooting ; but if you limit the ground suitable
for them, comparatively speaking, to a small pond or a single
marsh, and then persecute them, they must be driven away.
Birds like to have room to choose particular places to feed at,
and, if they cannot find such places here, their great powers of
flight enable them to find them elsewhere. — C. M. A. (New-
castle-upon-Tyne.

ON WHAT ARE CALLED GENERA AND SPECIES.
.(Reprinted fawn " The Field," Dec. 26th, 1863.)

WHEN I first began to take an interest in Natural History J
fancied the terms genus and species were easy to understand ;
but it is now long since I became acquainted with the many dif-
ficulties which arise before a conclusion can be arrived at. The
former term appears to have no definite meaning : it may either
comprise a whole division, as the fishes or the .birds, or a parti-
cular tribe of each division, as the butterflies or the hawks ; or
it may be used in a very limited extent, and comprise only one
or any greater number of what are called species, according to
the fancy of any individual. It is certainly useful to have what
are called genera, by which nearly allied species can be classed
together ; but when so many genera are recognised as at present,
you may almost as well separate each species into a genus at
once. The term species is much more difficult to deal with.
Before endeavouring to determine what constitutes a species,
would it not be well to expunge those animals which have been
in a state of domestication for a great length of time ? and for
this reason — that it is at the present day quite impossible to trace
back what they originally sprang from, and also to trace by what,
if by any means, such animals may have got distributed over the
various portions of the globe. In some instances, climate, food,
and (having escaped) running wild almost in a state of nature,
and other causes, probably have effected such changes, that ani-
mals descended from the same original stock are now by many
persons considered different species ; and on one being brought

28

in contact with a different looking ordinal in another part of the
world, and breeding, it may lead persons to suppose they have
got a hybrid which is capable of reproducing, when in reality the
produce is not a hybrid at all. Nature appears to have taken
especial care to prevent the mixture of species, and wisely : if it
were not so, instead of having the beautifully-defined forms we
have, we would have the world full of I may say monsters.
How species are or were created is a matter quite beyond man's
understanding ; we cannot tell whether species are being created
at the present time, though we have such abundant proof of their
dying out, and having died out. There does not appear to me
to be any thing more to be wondered at in the creation of a spe-
cies at the present time (should the Creator of all things deem it
right) than there was at the beginning of the world, but by what
means man will probably never know. I cannot believe man
can make a species, which he would be doing if he could obtain
a hybrid between two distinct species, and continue the breed of
such hybrids constant in shape and colour. If nature approved
of hybrids they would be much more frequently met with in a
wild state. Undoubtedly they do occur in that state, but much
more frequently amongst those animals which are either domes-
ticated or semi-domesticated, and in cases where the parents are
deprived of the opportunity of associating with others of their
own species. When hybrids do occur in a wild state, does na-
ture not prevent their doing any mischief and interfering further
with her regular laws ? As a general rule, would it not be well
to regard those as species the parents being alike, the offspring
similar, and whose young reproduce? Almost all rules have
exceptions, but nature has generally given certain colours to a
species in its wild state at the same season of the year, and at
the same period of the age. I see in The Field notice of what
are called hybrids between the Japanese Pheasant and the Com-
mon Pheasant. A question arises — Arc these separate species ?
Should they be distinct species, and those bred really be hybrids,
it is more than likely they will prove barren. Is it not probable
that those Pheasants, and also the King-neck and the Bohemian,
are mere varieties, caused by food or dimatr. or other cause? in

which case the young are not hybrids, any more than the varie-
ties we find amongst domestic poultry. Another question also
arises, which is — Can any substantial good arise from producing
hybrids ? Supposing their flesh is superior to either of the pa-
rents, is it worth the trouble to get the produce over and over
and over again, as are not the hybrids as a rule generally barren ?
I mean those bred between really distinct species. One often
hears a person remark amongst domestic poultry that some of the
hens being spotted, similar to the black marks on the breast of a
cock Pheasant, that they have a cross of Pheasant in them.
Now, instances of a cross between the Pheasant and the Domes-
tic Fowl are very rarely met with. I have seen the cross, but
they were obtained by having the Pheasants confined, and the
mules are as much like Pheasants as Cocks, and they vary in
colour. One sees other undoubted hybrids amongst birds, but
it appears to me anything but desirable to have such mongrels,
except as curiosities, as they are not so handsome as the parents ;
and are they not generally barren ? I confess that I have a great
dislike to hybrids of all sorts. Nothing can be more interesting
and beautiful to behold and study than the various species of
wildfowl in a domesticated state, but so soon as you mix hybrids
with your collection the interest of the admirer of nature ceases,
and it only confuses a student who may be desirous to get a
knowledge of species seeing these generally useless hybrids mixed
with nature's beautiful species. The various changes of plumage
that she has given to the various species at the various seasons
are quite puzzling enough. No one can imagine why some spe-
cies of birds which inhabit Europe and North America appear
similar, while in others, though closely allied, there is constant
and marked difference. It is probably most advisable to consider
at present these differences where they are constant, however
trifling they may be, to denote a species, particularly when they
inhabit a different portion of the world, and there is little chance
of their ever meeting with each other. Some of the domes-
tic animals have altered slightly by domestication, except in co-
lour, as the Duck; but then probably wild Ducks have been
often caught, or hatched and reared, and thus the natural colour

30

and form have been infused frequently. In the Common Goose
some of them are so like the original species in all apparent re-
spects, that I cannot fancy why it should ever have been supposed
they have any trace of either the White-fronted or any other
species. It always strikes me as carious why the various spe-
cies, taking all known into account, do not differ from one ano-
ther in a more equal degree. We find two very nearly allied,
then we have to look some distance ; we then find perhaps several,
then again there is a wide gap in the chain, and so on. I do not
wish to be understood that we should expect to find one species
so like another that a regular arrangement could be made ; that
is quite impossible, as one species sometimes resembles another
in one respect, while in others it resembles other species again
further off ; but, for instance, if the American Wigeon and Teal
are different species from the European, where is the next spe-
cies on either side of either of them connecting either of them as
closely to any other species ? C. M. A.

31
ON HYBRIDS.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Feb. 20th, 1864.)

L* the notes from Aldeburgh two ducks are mentioned as hay-
ing been killed, which the writer calls ''Cross-bred "Wild Ducks,"
and says they seem to partake of the markings of the Sheldrake
and Common Duck and Mallard ; but he does not give a sufficient
description to enable any one to form an opinion as to what the
birds really may be, and it certainly is worth while ascertaining
what they are. The fact of two hybrids being together, parti-
cularly if they are of the cross the writer supposes, suggests the
probability of their having escaped from captivity, the habits of
the two species being in the wild state so different, and no in-
stances of a similar hybrid have been observed that I am ac-
quainted with. As uncertainty exists as to what should be called
hybrids, if crosses between varieties are, as well as crosses be-
tween what are at present considered well-defined species, some
distinguishing name is required to mark a difference which ap-
pears to be considerable and definite. As a general rule, in a
state of nature either one or the other seldom occurs. Many per-
sons fancy there is as little difference between the Pintail and
Wigeon, or Gadwall, as there is between a small Decoy Duck,
a what is called a Buenos Ayres Duck, or an Aylesbury, or any
other domesticated variety of Anas boschas. What difference
there is, is of a different kind altogether, and consequently, the
crosses between the former class and those between the latter
are also totally different ; the former cases occur in the wild and
natural state, the latter cannot, as these varieties have undoubtedly
originated through domestication only. From the very few hy-
brids I have seen killed in a wild or natural state, any one pos-
sessing a knowledge of the species may at once detect the parents
from which they descended ; but we have no examples that I
have ever seen where the two species became again more mixed
and less apparent ; and I think it questionable if such an instance
in the wild or natural state ever existed. Hybrids amongst
birds in the really wild and natural state, appear to occur in a

c

32

veiy limited number of genera and even of species in these
genera, and much less often than is generally supposed. It might
throw some light upon the subject if some of your correspondents
would inform your readers of any instances which may have come
under their observation, and at the same time say where the
specimens can be seen. With the exception of those between
the Pheasant and Black Grouse, and the latter bird and the
Capercailie (the former cross cannot be considered a cross between
birds in a state of nature) (but even in these cases no further
cross appears to occur,) I have only seen instances amongst the
Ducks, and it seems probable if all those known were added
together, one would not occur annually amongst the thou-
sands of wildfowl which are taken. In the wild state crosses
between extraordinary or occasional varieties, as albinos, of
the same species really seldom occur, the instances of such varie-
ties are so very limited in number ; and, as a general rule, the
variations amongst species are so trifling, that it is difficult to
describe how they vary, each individual probably being a shade
lighter or darker, larger or smaller, or more or less spotted or
marked. True it is, we find sometimes a wild white or pied bird,
but it would appear that nature does not like these, as they do not
apparently increase in number ; and probably if pains were not
taken to keep the particular varieties of species amongst birds
produced by domestication separate, we would find that the varie-
ties would gradually become assimilated, and probably we should
in the course of time get a variety from the whole which would
be best adapted for the climate and circumstances, and probably it
would much resemble the original form of the species from which
the several varieties descended. Many of our native species
refuse to breed in confinement : some do breed, but recent domes-
tication does not seem to alter their general appearance, and
probably, in spite of all experiments made with them, except
crossing them with other varieties, they will continue as they are.
In a notice which I observed latch in Tin- Fidd, I saw it stated
that Dr. Fleming considered the Wild Duck (Anas bovchas} as we
have it, the parent stock of all Ducks. Is it to be iniVm-d that

33

merely the domesticated varieties of Anas boschas are intended
to be included ; or are the various species in England, and the
foreigners also, to be included ? If the Pintail, Gadwall, and
Shoveller are included, why not include the curious Shoveller
from New Zealand and elsewhere, and the Bahama Pintail ? and
from that again our Long-tailed Duck also ? and, if so, where
are you to stop ? I should like to know if a bird exactly resem-
bling the present form of the old Colchicus (Pheasant), which
probably nourished in England before Torquatus was turned out,
is to be found in a natural and wild state in any part of the
world at the present time, so as to ascertain whether time and
circumstances may not have moulded it into the form best adapted
in its now naturalised state in the various countries in which it
is now found, and which might account for the various colours
of the varieties of this Pheasant found at the present time in China,
Japan, and elsewhere, and which have probably all sprung from
the same original stock, and through domestication. I believe the
ring on the neck occurs in many Pheasants which have nothing
whatever to do with Torquatus recently turned out. The pecu-
liarities respecting the breeding of pied and white Pheasants do
not show that these varieties are any thing more than varieties
originated by domestication ; and although they may be by some
persons considered pretty, their white feet and piebald appear-
ance remind one that they are not wild birds, and too much as-
similate them to the inhabitants of the poultry yard. I should
like also to know if there are at the present time in a naturally
wild state, in any country, either the Muscovy Duck, from which
our domesticated birds are descended, or what is called Cygnus
ameroides. I think I am right when I say I remember a pair of
Wild Swans, in the year 1840 or 1841, hatching and rearing a
brood in the Zoological Gardens. On going there some time after-
wards, I missed the greater part of this most beautiful family.
On inquiry I was informed, whether correctly or not I know not,
that it was wished to get a breed between the tame Swan and
the wild one, and that all, excepting one parent, had been sold ;
and I can recollect my feeling of disappointment, and my wonder

34

that any one could suppose, or presume to suppose, that the ex-
treme beauty of Cygnusferus could be added to by such a mixture.

C. M. A.

OX SUPPOSED HYBRID GROUSE.
(Reprinted from " The Field," 1864.

I READ in Tlit Field, a few weeks ago, of the capture of a bird,
supposed to be a hybrid between the Black Grouse and Red
Grouse. I possess a bird which some persons have said is such
u hybrid, but it undoubtedly is no such tiling. It is a Black
Grouse (probably a female, having assumed, from some unknown
cause, some of the peculiarities of the male, or it may be a bird
which has always had a similar plumage) ; it is greyish -brown,
darker than ordinary grey hens, with blue reflections on the
neck, and having the tail curved outwards like the male, and
the under tail-coverts white. 1 have seen two or three similar
birds. Now if these birds were hybrids they were males, but
they want the large scarlet process above the eyes which is con-
spicuous in the male bird of each species ; and whilst all the
characters of the Black Grouse are present, those of the Red
Grouse are absent. Is the bird referred to similar to these ? 1
do not say it is impossible that such a hybrid might occur, after
seeing the singular varieties of Russian Black Game, which are
varied with white, and which seem to be hybrids between that
species and one of the Ptarmigans. The only object in question-
ing the accuracy of the fact of such a hybrid having occurred is
the desirability of not extending information which may not In-
correct. I have certainly never seen such a hybrid, nor heard
of an authentic instance of one amongst the thousands of Grouse
which one sees each season. — C. M. A. (Xewcastle-upon-Tyne).

35

HYBRID GROUSE.

OXE of your correspondents (January 14th, 1865,) writing on this
subject, begins by stating that the "Rype" (which is what we
call the Willow Grouse) and our Red Grouse are the same species.
How is this ascertained ? Some time ago, I think, I read in
your paper that some one had tried to introduce the Red Grouse
into either Sweden or Norway, and I have been expecting to see
a notice of the failure or success of the experiment, as I expected
to be able to come to some conclusion from the results. Now,
it would be a most interesting fact to ascertain if these local va-
rieties or species, or whatever they may be, will breed together ;
and, as communication is now easy between the two countries,
could and will not some extensive landed proprietor get over
some Willow Grouse and turn them adrift among the Red Grouse,
and see if they will breed with them, and produce fertile young ?
This would probably satisfactorily settle the question, and, if
they did breed, it would be quite curious to observe whether the
white wings of the Willow Grouse would continue, and the birds
get white in winter, or whether our climate would cause the
original local colour of the country (supposing the species were
the same) to prevail. If the Willow Grouse were brought over
and bred by themselves, it appears to me the species should be
considered distinct. 1 hate mongrels, and would never advocate
the mixture of different species, as I do not believe any good
results will ever be thus produced in animal life ; but proving
whether these two Grouse are the same species would go far to-
wards enabling naturalists to give an opinion on other species
which may be distinct, or which may be only local varieties, but
yet constant, from the fact of their never having the opportunity
of intermingling with each other. I am no believer in the dete-
rioration or improvement of species in a purely natural state.
The first bird "Scrutator" writes about, he says, was the weight,
size, and shape of a full-grown Black Cock. Now, if he were a
hybrid between the Red and Black Grouse, he ought to have
been about the size of a Grey Hen : the legs and feet of both
species are hairy. He does not mention the toes, which are hairy

36

in one species and not in the other ; and the nails are very dif-
ferent. It sometimes happens that a male bird assumes some of
the plumage like that of the female : Is his bird such an one ?
My bird, according to his opinion, should be a female hybrid, as
it is of the size of a Grey Hen only, but with a Black Cock's
tail. Now, if a female, why does the tail at all resemble that
of a male Black Grouse ? it should be intermediate between the
tail of a Grey Hen and a Hen Grouse. It strikes me the only
feature in these birds resembling the Red Grouse is the colour,
but even it much more resembles that of the Grey Hen ; the birds
are much freckled with grey, and have not much red, like an
old male Grouse ; but even if they had much red, many Grey
Hens have a considerable portion of rich reddish brown mixed
with their plumage. Are the hybrids between the Capercailie
and Black Grouse not all males, or nearly so ? I do not think I
remember seeing a female. These hybrids appear to have neither
the tail of one species nor the other, but a modified one, and the
individuals partake evenly of the peculiarities of each species in
size as well as colour. " Scrutator" will, I hope, pardon my
still not being convinced. I only wish to arrive at what is cor-
rect. C. M. A.

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING PLACE
AND EGG OF THE KNOT, TRINGA CANUTUS.

(Reprinted from the Transactions of the Natural Hixinnj Society
of Northumberland and Durham for 1877.)

I HAVE wondered ever since the last Arctic expedition started
why this species was especially mentioned to be looked after, as
I think there are many others of which almost as little is known,
which breed in the Polar regions.

I find amongst my ornithological memoranda, an extract 1
made in 1839, at "VVallington, from Captain SabincV account of
birds found at Melville Island and the North Georgian Islands
during Parry's voyage, which i> as follows: —

ai

' • Sanderling. Breeding abundantly on the North Georgian
Islands.

Golden Plover. Very common, North Georgian Islands.

Ring Dotterel. Common, both places.

Turnstone. Very common.

Dunlin. Rare.

Knot. Breeding in great abundance on the North Georgian
Islands.

Purple Sandpiper. Breeding all along the coast of Davis'
Straits and Baffin's Bay, but not met with in the Polar Sea.

Grey Phalarope. Breeding abundantly on the North Georgian
Islands;" and amongst several other species is mentioned that
lovely bird the Fork-tailed Gull as occurring on Prince Regent
Island, and on three small Islands in Baffin's Bay, in lat. 75 -5°.

Now this seems to me a very satisfactory proof of the Knot's
breeding ground being ascertained in America at least.

I am not aware whether any eggs of the Knot have been
brought to England, but I should think it very probable they
may have been. Some thirty years ago I was staying at a house
in this county, when I was shown a collection of eggs, and there
was one amongst them named Knot. The original collector had
died, but I enquired about the egg, remarking on its rarity, if
authentic. My kind correspondent (also long since dead), a few
days afterwards, wrote to me as follows respecting it.

" The Knot's egg," he says, "he had from a Captain Howard
some years ago. He was a great collector of eggs from all parts,
and he believes it to be certainly correct, I therefore send you
the egg, hoping you will put it into your collection if you think
the information worthy of belief." The person referred to was
the keeper, and I believe was a clever man, and was much in-
terested in birds and eggs, and had helped to form the collection.
This egg agrees pretty well with YarrelFs description of what
the egg is said to be like. It is about the size of a Eeeve's egg,
but is rather broader and not so pyriform, the ground colour being-
a very rich pale brown with a pinkish tinge in it, and the spots
arc rich brown, with some inclining to lavender colour. Now

38

from the shape of the bird one might expect it to lay an egg
shaped like the Woodcock's egg. I admit shape goes for very
little, as I have Dunlins, Common Sandpipers, Curlews, and c\ en
Snipes' eggs, all of which are generally very typically pyriform,
as broad and round as Woodcocks, but I think I never saw a
pyriform Woodcock's egg. In the days when this collection
was made, and previously, collections of such like things were
more often to be found in countiy houses than they are at the
present time, but the opportunities of getting from home were
not then so numerous and consequently public collections were
not so easily seen, and those who had any taste for such things
collected for themselves, and I think generally, in consequence,
the collectors acquired more information than the generality of
those you now meet with care to possess.

I would remark that it is possible the Golden Plover and Ring
Dotterel and the Dunlin mentioned* may not be those of Europe ;
it is very difficult to say whether the American forms of these
birds are the same species as the European. — CHARLES MURRAY
AD AM SON.

THE KNOT.

HAVING copies of Captain Sabine's memoir of the Birds of Green-
land, and also of Richardson's Fauna Boreali Americana, I find
in the former this bird is mentioned as having been killed on
Hare Island in June ; and in the latter it is stated it breeds
on Melville Peninsula, and in other parts of Arctic America,
and also in Hudson's Bay, down to the 55th parallel, and that
it lays four eggs on a tuft of withered grass, which are, accord-
ing to Mr. Hutchins, of a dun colour, fully marked with red-
dish spots.

Faber mentions the Knot as found by him here and there in
Iceland, particularly on the southern sides of thai Island. Its
arrival is late, about tin: last days of May. and it has then a —
Slimed the blood-red under plumage oi the summer. At that
time it is to be seen on the shores in company with the Turn-

39

stone, and, he adds, fully equals this species in its excessive wa-
riness and difficulty of approach, and in summer that it disappears
from the vallies and " probably" betakes itself to the mountains
to breed. They reappear clothed in their winter dress in the
beginning of September, and in about the middle of that month
take their departure from Iceland.

Faber seems to have mistaken the young birds for the old
birds changed to winter dress, and which there also, as with us,
appear to keep in separate flocks from the old birds. But what
really does become of the greater portion of the old birds, until
they come to our shores in late autumn in their complete winter
dress?

There can be little doubt but that the breeding grounds of the
Knot are very extensive, and probably hereafter a colony may
be found at Spitzbergen from whence those which visit us may
come. These birds seem similar in America to those we get,
but the American Dunlins, so far as I have seen, are considerably
larger than ours, so much so, as I think to constitute a race, if
not a species.

AVhen in London in June, 1878, I saw three of these interest-
ing birds in their summer plumage, which they had acquired in
the Fish House in the Zoological Gardens, and I was delighted
with them. There were also a Turnstone which had acquired its
summer plumage, two Avocets and two Grey Plovers, one a
bird of last year, which had nearly acquired its winter plumage,
not having any black on the breast, and having still some of the
spotted feathers of the young bird amongst the tertials, the other
an old bird, about half changed to its summer plumage, that is,
irregularly spotted with black on the breast. These Grey Plo-
vers readily called attention to them by frequently uttering their
well known call note. I also saw in the British Museum the
three young Knots in the downy state, which had been brought
home by Captain Fielden of the Arctic expedition. On looking
at a label on the case T saw the date June 4th. Kow, I felt
sure this was a mistake, as the grounds on which this species
breed could not be ready for them by that time. I find, on look-

Id

ing into the appendix to Captain fare's book, I was right, as it
was not until the 30th July these young birds were obtained ;
but I also must add, that I consider Captain Fielden wrong when
he says the Knots had acquired their autumnal grey plumage by
August 25th, unless he means the young birds' first plumage, as
we have the old birds sometimes returned to the Northumberland
coast by the middle of August, which have still their faded red
plumage, and have not cast a single feather. The grey birds he
met with in August were I think without doubt the young birds
of the year in the very same state I have frequently shot them
towards the end of August on our own coast. I was almost sure
Knots had not laid eggs so early as June 4th ; I have had them
killed on the south-east coast till the beginning of that month
on their way to breed.

It seems distance within reasonable bounds is nothing to some
kinds of birds. Knots, and some other kinds, leave here only
in the end of May, to breed in the Arctic regions, and by the
middle of August the young have flown here, the old birds hav-
ing bred and reared young capable of flying the distance iu the
short space of ten or eleven weeks.

The six birds mentioned by Captain Fielden, as seen by Dr.
Coppinger on the 28th July, and of which an old male only was
procured, might possibly be an early family, the four young and
two parents, but it seems strange they should have been so wild
if such was the case. This species when young and in small
flocks, and apparently unaccompanied by old birds, is often tame
and easily approached, but at other times I have seen them, even
on their first arrival late in August and early in September, when
in large flocks so wild, that they would not let you approach with-
in half a mile of them.

On the 6th September, 1844, I got a young Knot which had
flown against Skinburnos Lighthouse, which was of wood stand-
ing in the sea; the beak was broken in the middle as if done
\\i(\\ a pair of pincers : and one young bird I shot on the 10th
September, in the same year, had at that early time commenced
to moult to its winter plumage, tlu- hack and hiva>t having im-

41

perfect feathers all over. I was struck with the difference in
the habit of this bird in different situations. On the Northum-
berland coast they are often found amongst the rocks as well as
on the muds, and very tame. At Skinburness when found they
were on the grass and wild : they were driven up by the high
tides and were sitting upon small hillocks of grass surrounded
by the water in similar places as were young Ruffs, so that
what is mentioned about them having been caught with Ruffs in
former times is quite probable. Previous to seeing them in such
places I thought this a mistake.

North Jesmond,

Newcastle-in/on- Ti/ne.

August 1st, 1878.

OX THE HABITS OF THE KNOT AND OTHER, SHORE
BIRDS AS OBSERVED IN NORTHUMBERLAND.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper.}

THE Knot is well known to visit our southern and eastern
coasts each spring and autumn, and in May it appears in its
red summer plumage, or is then acquiring it. On the Nor-
thumberland coast I am not aware of a single red bird ever
having been killed in spring when the species is migrating north,
and from this we might suppose that the nocks visiting our more
southern shores keep further to the eastward in their northern
migration, and that the numbers which visit us in autumn are
European or Asian, and not American. Singularly enough, the
old birds occasionally come to the Northumberland coast after
breeding without having cast a feather. The earliest autumn
arrival I ever knew I shot on July 19, 1854. This bird had bred
as the bare places on the breast clearly showed. I have some old
birds killed early in August, and have seen several others, more
worn and faded in feather than the one before mentioned. These
birds are not accompanied by the young, and they have not com-

12

menced to moult. By the last week in August the young come
often in large flocks by themselves. It may he the few old birds
which arrive so early have lost their eggs or young, and, it being
too late to breed again in regions where the summer is so short,
have come straight away. In autumn the old birds (except the
few which come so early) do not seem to arrive till they have
completed their winter plumage by moulting, and the reason of
this probably is that in September they would be moulting their
quills, and unable to take the long flights requisite to bring them
so great a distance. Although the. young birds arrive on our
coasts so early, there has nevertheless, been time for them to get
here. The old birds apparently arrive at their breeding stations
in the middle of June, and from the time they lay their eggs till
the young are fully able to fly would be from nine to ten weeks,
which gives them time to reach us by the end of August. But
where do the old birds linger during the moulting time, both
those which come away early, and those which come later ? I
have never met with one moulting its quills. I have an old
female knot which I bought in Leadenhall market in May, as
dark in colour as the female Grey Phalarope is in summer, and
darker than any male knot which I have seen. Now, as regards
the young which arrive in August and September, the males are
rich buff in colour, whilst the females are very much greyer.
The change in colour of the old birds between the time of their
leaving us and the date of their return is very apparent. The
red breast fades to sand colour ; the pink spots on the back become
nearly white, and the grey edges wear off the back feathers,
which become black. The young birds somewhat resemble the
old birds in summer, but are much paler in colour, and gradually
both old and young alter mm li as the season advances, and by the
year's end they get very nearly alike ; but the moult in the young
birds to winter plumage is not nearly so complete as in the old
birds, which cast even' leather in September, the young birds
always retaining the primaries and secondaries, and many other
wing feathers, till the general moult the following autumn. It
.st her singular that the young Sanderlin-, Pi»niy Curlew,

43

Grey Plover, Knot, Bar-tailed or Common Godwit, and Little
Stint, should all arrive here about the same time, some of these
species being found in America as well as Europe, and others not.
The Knot and Common Godwit (the former common to both con-
tinents, the latter not) seem to come almost in the same flocks.
This year, whilst at the seaside on Sept. 6, after a morning of
heavy rain and strong northerly wind, the afternoon being sunny,
I walked out on the sand, where I saw a large flock of Godwits,
probably just arrived. They looked quite buff in the sunshine,
and let me walk pretty well up to them, and I shot eight, and
one Knot, all young birds — an interesting lot, as it enabled me
to make comparison of the individuals, and observe the difference
in the size of the males and females. Some of the latter exceeded
by Sin. in extent of wing some of the males. I find I have ob-
served the beak of this species to vary in length from 2^-in. to
4£in. They have a pretty cry, somewhat resembling some of the
notes of the clarionet. Both these species when they arrive are
excellent eating.

But the question is, whence come they ? From the abundance
of both these species, their breeding grounds must be very exten-
sive. I think it is unlikely that such birds would travel over a
continent entirely of land for any great distance. More probably
their course is along shore ; but how difficult to trace. In the
young of the Common Godwit the males and females are equally
rich in colour, whilst in the old birds in summer plumage the
male is very much darker than the female, which often shows
very little red at all. The Common Godwits, Grey Plovers, and
Knots which visit, in their spring migration, the more southern
and eastern counties of England, and do not come on to this coast
at that season, may possibly pass eastward and travel over the
lakes and seas and narrow pails of land until they reach the
White Sea, and pass on till they arrive at a sufficiently high
latitude in Asia to breed, as there seems no land in Europe par-
allel with the Xorth Georgian Islands were Capt. Sabine states
the Knot was found breeding abundantly ; or they may go round
by the North Cape ; but we do not often hear of their being met

44

with on the journey. The great migration probably passes fur-
ther eastward than Great Britain, as the few which alight on the
English coasts must be but a very small portion of the migrating
host. Where the tides run out a long way and leave a great
extent of sand and mud, it is uncertain work following these birds
at low water ; but at times, at particular places, during spring
tides, at high water, numbers may be shot, One day under such
circumstances, on Sept. 19, with a northerly wind and high tides,
I got many Knots and Godwits and a couple of Grey Plovers ;
the following day at the same spot, with a southerly wind and
tide not coming within one hundred yards of that of the precedii
day, I did not get a bird, none being driven up, in consequence
of such an extent of mud being left uncovered by the water even
at a spring tide.

The Sanderling, like the Knot, seems to be as abundant in
America as in Europe, and its migrations seem very similar.
Large flocks, however, in going northward, appear on the west
and more northerly coasts in May, and these may be on their way
to America. The Grey Plover, also, like the Knot, seems to be
equally distributed in America as in Europe and Asia, and its
migrations extend probably farther south than even those of the
Knot ; but little is apparently known about it. The earliest bird
I have seen arrived from its breeding grounds is a female, killed
Aug. 20, 1862, the only one with a black breast shot on our coast
that I know of. The young birds arrive about Sep. 16; they
are conspicuous by their pretty spotted plumage, showing the
white back feathers when they rise, and often uttering their loud
cry of "kle-wee." They seldom appear in large flocks, being
generally seen in straggling parties of about eight, but oftrner
still in smaller numbers. The young Grey Plover when it first
arrives and before it gets faded, when first killed and if kept
clean, is an exquisite bird to look at, the lovely freckled back
being a mixture of olive, white, and yellow, recalling the readily
conceived place of its infancy. One can imagine the lichen-
covered stony ground, with the brood lying well concealed by
their similarity to the surroundings, and no doubt can be enter-

45

tained that the wonderful arrangement of the colouring of its
plumage is designed by nature to protect it from observation.
How different the birds look when first killed to what they do
when skinned or set up, under the most favourable circumstances.
One might also inquire why the Phalaropes do not return from
their breeding grounds to us in the same way as the other nor-
thern birds mentioned. Where do they stay on the road ? and
why do the few come which pay us a passing visit in early winter
(that is, up to January only) ? If going southward, why do not
more pass ? The red-necked species seem to leave their breeding-
grounds (if we may judge from the few which breed in the Scot-
tish isles) very early ; but whence do they go to spend the winter,
and how do they arrive at their breeding places without being
more often observed when leaving and returning to them.

C. M. ADAMSON.
Xowcastle-upon-Tyne, December, 1876.

SIK, — I am glad to see that, on the whole, Mr. Booth agrees with
me. He remarks that the old and young Knot appear to be alike
when once they assume the winter dress. This I admit ; but the
young do not acquire a complete winter dress the first year by
moulting ; the old birds do, completely, and suddenly, by the
autumnal moult. The young acquire their winter dress gradually
and only partially by moulting. Up to the year's end you gen-
erally find some of the tertials still edged, and the primaries and
secondaries are not cast till the general autumnal moult the
following year ; and the wing coverts are those of the young bird's
first plumage, which fade and wear into a winter plumage, but
which can be distinguished from those of the mature bird on close
examination. Indeed, it is often quite possible to trace the young
birds by the wing coverts up to the time of their acquiring their
summer dress in the spring, these feathers often getting by that
time worn nearly threadbare — they being at first the more slender
feathers of the young bird ; and, besides this, they have been used

46

by the bird fruni the time it was first feathered till the following-
spring, instead of having been renewed by moulting, as in the old
birds, in September. We frequently find the Knot and Sander-
ling in spring having two or three wing coverts in the bright
summer dress amongst the worn feathers, and sometimes a centre
tail feather only in the same state. These, I think, are only
makeshifts, to enable the bird to put off till the general moult in.
autumn, the bird requiring some new feathers, and, it being in
the seasonable state, they come coloured ; but, even these are
probably cast again at the autumnal moult. After these birds
have gone through the autumnal moult the year after being
hatched, I do not believe it possible to determine their age. The
Grey Phalarope perhaps illustrates my remarks better than the
Knot, as the plumage is more decided between the old and young
birds in autumn.

During the many years I have paid attention to birds, I never
but once saw a mature Grey Phalarope in winter dress procured
in this county, and it is now in my possession. It was killed in
October and had then completed its moult to the sombre grey
winter dress. All the others I have seen were young birds of
the year, and undergoing their gradual change to winter dress.
I have them in the young plumage, scarcely having any winter
(that is, grey) feathers on the back at all, and showing darkish
reddish or brownish colour on the neck, resembling the old bird
in summer; and I have them nearly grey on the back, further
advanced towards the winter dress ; but all these are young birds,
and have the dark tertials edged witli light colour of the young
bird, and these they have up to the year's end, the latest time
we ever see them here. The plumage of the old birds is much
more dense, and the wing coverts are grey, and not dark, as in
the young birds of the year. The Grey Phalarope in its young
and winter dress much reminds me of the black-headed, and little
Gulls at the same season, as there is a similar difference between
the mature and young birds in autumn and early winter. That
the autumnal moult in old birds is rapid and complete, is certain,

47

as I have shot mature Common Godwits and Sanderlings, com-
pletely through the moult, by the middle of October.

Though the winter plumage of the young Knot resembles the
old bird, the winter plumage of the young Common Godwit does
not appear to do so. In October the young birds begin to throw
out a new set of feathers, somewhat resembling the first feathers
in colour, but more marbled, somewhat resembling the Grey
Plover in winter ; and in this state they are sometimes seen in
the following May, without any apparent approach to summer
plumage. By December, all the back and breast feathers of the
young birds correspond ; the tertials remain unchanged, and the
light-coloured spots on these feathers wear out, causing them to
have a jagged appearance. This is sometimes the case with birds
that have acquired the summer plumage the following spring,
showing them to be young birds of the preceding year. In the
winter plumage of the old birds the tertials are plain grey. I have
a very singular variety shot in December, with a marbled back,
the tertials much worn, showing it to be a bird of that year, with
the breast quite dark, almost brown, but not red ; and I have a
male Common Godwit, killed in spring, which I got in Leaden -
hall Market, with many others, more than thirty years ago. —
It is in very complete summer plumage, and has some of the fea-
thers between the scapulars broadly edged with red, and not
spotted with that colour as they ordinarily are.

It is not easy to account for the arrow-head shaped spots on
white feathers, often seen amongst the red breast feathers of some
male Godwit B in summer plumage. These spots appear to form
part of the female's ordinary summer plumage ; but, generally
speaking, they are not found in the male in the young plumage,
or in winter, or summer. The mature birds in winter get so grey
as almost to lose the bars on the tail centre feathers entirely, and
they are hardly traceable in some males I have in summer plum-
age. In well-marked Grey Plovers also in full summer plumage,
the bars on the centre tail feathers often become obliterated.

I have a young Grey Plover of the year, killed in December,
considerably moulted to its winter plumage, but the new feathers

48

have come marbled with grey, black, and more yellow than in
young bird's first plumage. The yellow is marbled, and not
spotted, as in the young bird's first plumage.

It is difficult to reduce to writing what one wishes to point out
concisely. I have one of the larger young Knots (which I con-
clude are females) I shot at Skinburness Sept. 10, 1844, edged
all over the back with grey, and again with white, without a
trace of buff colour. Then, again, I have the smaller bird, which
I conclude is the male, quite buff,* much more strongly marked ;
even the centres of the scapulars are marked with buff and
darker grey markings than the edgings. I take these as my
types, on shooting several, I have placed the larger and smaller
separately, and I generally found the larger the paler birds. I
admit I never dissected these young birds, but I have dissected
the old birds in spring, when it is easy to determine the sex ; but
to do this with the young birds wonld require a much more
scientific anatomist than I pretend to be, as it is no easy matter
to do so.

Audubon mentions his surprise at the difference in the size of
these birds he killed from the same flocks. Should Mr. Booth
come into this neighbourhood, I will gladly show him the birds
from which I have drawn my conclusions. He mentions the
appearance of young Knots so early as the 8th of July.f This is
really most interesting, as it proves the bird to be an early breeder
somewhere or other. We naturally supposed all Arctic birds
were late breeders ; from such an early appearance, it is impos-
sible they can be the young of the birds only going north in the
middle of May, so that there must be an earlier migration. In
September, 1866, 1 wrote in The Field about the Godwits, Knots,
and Grey Plovers which had wintered in this northern district,
leaving so early in the spring, before acquiring their summer

* I have very considerable doubt whether some of these very rich buff
l»inl-i have not been mistaken for the American Buff-breasted Sandpiper:
few persons not very well acquainted with the species would take them for
Knots.

f Could these be birds of the former year?

49

plumage, and so late in the spring appearing again on the south-
eastern shores ; but no light appears to have been thrown on this
singular apparent double migration. I have seen Sanderlings
till June 4 on the Solway shores, and just before that time they
are often flying in flocks with pale-coloured Dunlins ; whilst the
rich-coloured Dunlins have eggs at a very short distance. These
Dunlins have black breasts, but the backs show little red, though
the birds are in summer plumage. The young Sanderlings are
most common on this coast in late August and early September ;
the flocks after this appear to continue their migration.

Newcastle-on-Tyne, Jan. 1, 1877, C. M. ADAMSON.

Since this was written I have reason to believe some Knots and Common
Godwits do not acquire any red or breeding plumage the summer after being
hatched, but occasionally remain on or visit our shores during the summer
months with white breasts.

THE SAKDERLLNX}.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, August 23rd, 1862.)

I see in The Field a notice of the occurrence of a bird called a
Sanderling near Sutton Park, and some remarks on its habits, etc.
Without questioning the power of the bird to either swim or dive
in cases of emergency, I think some doubt exists whether some
other bird has not been mistaken for it. The Sanderling is, I
believe, one of the birds whose breeding-places in Europe are yet
unknown to us. It is absent from our island perhaps as short a
time as any of our migratory birds. I have noticed their first
appearance on the Northumberland coast as early as the 31st
July. Those which come so early are old birds, in summer plum-
age much faded, having the bare places on their breasts showing
they had bred that season, and commencing to get some of the
ash-coloured feathers of winter on their backs. Some small flocks
of old birds arrive during August ; they do not seem to remain
long, as old birds are seldom seen a little later in the season. Ey
September the young birds arrive in flocks; by October some

50

old birds are also on the coast, which have then got through
their autumnal moult, which is the only complete moult during
the year, and are in what is called the winter plumage. Some
are found on the shores during the whole winter. I once ob-
served a young bird in August with some of the down not then
worn from the tips of some of its back feathers.* By April, most
of those which have wintered with us, leave. Towards the latter
part of May, and till the first week in June, flocks appear on the
coast. Most of the birds are then in their summer plumage. On
the shores of the Solway, at that season, they are sometimes in
large flocks ; they remain a short time ; after this they all dis-
appear to breed. I never knew an instance of the Sandcrling
being seen away from the sea coast ; it is generally observed close
to the edge of the sea, wading amongst the sand, or muddy sand
as it is disturbed by the tide, picking up its food. It is a most
active bird on the wing, and generally wary when in large
flocks, wheeling and flying about the sands ; and, especially when
in summer plumage, it is pleasing to see the pure white of the
under-parts contrasting so well with the rich buff colour of the
upper plumage. The young birds of the year can be distinguished
from the old birds when they have got their grey plumage on the
back by the wing coverts, and the long tertials, the young birds
seldom changing them before the general moult the following
autumn. It is difficult to account for the appearance of the old
birds so early in the season. I have sometimes thought it pro-
bable that the few which do come so early may have lost their
eggs or young by accident, and migrated earlier than they other-
wise would have done in consequence. The old birds observed
so early have not commenced to moult their quills ; and I think
they do not remain on this coast during the time they do moult
their quills, as it is not usual to meet with them doing so. I
think the greater portion of the old birds which visit us during
winter do not arrive on our coast until after the autumnal moult

* In Captain Fieldens' appendix to Caj>t;iin X;uv>1 book, he mentions on
August 8th, on the shores of Robeson's Channel, meeting with the young
Sanderlings just able to fly but retaining some of the down on their feathers.

51

is completed. When the young birds do arrive, it seldom happens
that any old birds accompany them, or come at the same time-
Both old and young, when they first arrive, are easily approached.
The young do not moult their quills till autumn in the following
year, like all this tribe of birds. On looking over my notes I find
the following : — " Feb. 26, saw several Sanderlings on the sands ;
they were busily engaged feeding ; the wind strong, which made
the sea break heavily on the shore, and a quantity of white foam
was being driven by it along the sands. The Sanderlings were
wading amongst the waves which were breaking on the shore'
and as it was a bright day, unless you observed they were moving
against the wind and in different directions, the whiteness of
their plumage made it difficult to distinguish them from the foam-
The rapidity of their movements is astonishing : no sooner had a
wave broken, than in they ran as far as they could, and picked
up such food as the wave brought up ; they would then follow
the receding wave quite back, till they met the next just going
to break, when they retired so as not to be too deep in the water.
Probably the whiteness of their plumage is intended for their
protection." Audubon mentions the Sanderling as occurring on
the coast of America in the same manner as it appears here, but
he did not find it breeding. In Capt. Sabine's account of the birds
seen at the North Georgian Islands, during Parry's voyage, the
Sanderling is mentioned as breeding there abundantly. Surely
we cannot be dependant upon America for those which come to us ;
there must be some breeding places in the north-east of Europe
from which our shores are peopled. I have seen the Common
Sandpiper swim and dive, and also the Redshank when wounded ;
and on one occasion, some years ago, when with a friend on a
mossy place where Dunlins were breeding, a violent thunder-storm
came on ; we were close to some of their nests, which we afterwards
found. Though the place was pretty dry when the rain com-
menced, it rained so heavily that the spaces between the small
hillocks of heather and moss became running water, across which
the Dunlins swam with ease, entering the water without raising
their wings. One would suppose birds of the size and shape of

52

those mentioned would sit too high upon the water, and be too
light in weight, and their legs be too long and not offer sufficient
resistance to the water, to be expert swimmers and divers even
in times of danger. — C. M. A., (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).— P.S.
Whilst writing the above I received a Grey Plover in its summer
plumage, much in the same state as the Sanderlings are when
they first arrive; the young birds generally arrive about the
second week in September. Probably the breeding stations of the
two species may not be far apart ; as also those of the Common
Godwit, Knot, Pigmy Curlew, and Little Stint. Little or nothing
seems to be yet known respecting them.

SPOTTED REDSHANK, EARED GREBES, ETC.
Reprinted from "The Field," May 24*7i, 1862.

ON reading The Field, I observe a notice of two Spotted Red-
shanks having been killed lately near Yarmouth, in the summer
plumage. The appearance of this bird in any plumage in England
is of rare occurrence, particularly so in the plumage assumed by
the bird at this season. To persons interested in observing the
habits of birds, it would be interesting to know something more
about those mentioned — whether they were killed at the sea-side
or at an inland marsh, and whether from a flock ; or, if only the
two were seen, how it happened the person who shot them was
so fortunate as to procure both, birds of this tribe being generally
BO difficult to approach. Two pairs of Greenshanks are also
noticed as having been killed. The appearance of the latter bird
on the South-Eastern coast during its spring migration is much
more common than the former ; but it is naturally a very wary
bird, and it seems strange that the two "pairs" should have been
obtained. Probably they may have been killed from small flocks ;
at any rate, it would be satisfactory to know how they were ob-
tained. The mention of pairs leads me to suppose the two birds
in each case were paired ; but do these birds ever pair till they
arrive at their breeding grounds? On the 21st April, 1842, I
got in Leadenhall-market a fresh-killed Spotted Redshank, about

.).•;

half changed to its summer plumage, and then first noticed the
change in the colour of the legs even, of this bird at this season.
In winter, and when young, they are similar in colour to the
Common Redshanks; but at this season the legs become dark
brown, and by the time the bird again gets its winter plumage,
they again become red. I have obtained several in Leadenhall-
market in the winter plumage, in the month of November. In
this neighbourhood we only meet with the bird very sparingly,
and then only in its young or first plumage, in August.* Before
Prestwick Carr was drained, it used occasionally to be there at
that time, and it is also at that season sometimes on the shores of
the Sol way. Even when so young, and having only arrived from
its breeding-station (Lapland or some other northern region), it
appears to be then very wary ; and a person who has killed two
at that season told me he had great difficulty in approaching them ;
one he killed at dusk by hiding himself and imitating its cry.
The Greenshank : I have observed and procured the young of the
year as early as the end of July ; and although much more com-
mon during its autumnal migration (all those which I have seen
at that season being young birds of the year), sometimes acquires
its winter plumage, and remains at places suitable to it during
the winter — at least, I have obtained them in October and
November, and again in February. I cannot remember ever
seeing one killed near here having the spotted back, breast, and
neck, which the bird gets in summer. I have often seen Green-
shanks in Leadenhall-market in the month of April, in summer
plumage. I see also a notice of Temminck's Sandpiper having
been killed. In this neighbourhood the young birds of this species
occasionally occur in the early part of September, I have noticed
it between the 2nd and 1 Ith of the month. They appear to re-
main a very short time during the autumnal migration, and are
never seen in the winter plumage. I have one old bird in its
summer plumage, killed by the river side on the 25th of May,
1845 ; it was alone at the time, and I have seen one other killed at

* On the 20th August, 1878, I was fortunate enough to fall in with two
of these elegant birds at Holy Island, one of which I shot.

•VI

the same season of the year. Two pairs of Eared Grebes are also
mentioned as having been killed, it would be interesting to know
how they were obtained ; the habits of these birds are such as
would render the obtaining of both " pairs" a matter of some diffi-
culty, as at this season the weeds on the ponds are getting up and
the birds dive so readily. I do not mean at all to doubt that the
birds were obtained, but to any one interested in the subject some
account of the way by which they were obtained, and whether
they were actually pairs, would be interesting. Kear Holy Is-
land, on the 18th of March, 1851, 1 shot an Eared Grebe from a
flock of five, with a considerable portion of its summer plumage
on ; the water was rough and the birds were at a considerable
distance ; when they rose, which they did readily, they were not
distinguishable from immature, or female long-tailed ducks, which
species was very numerous there at the time. I remember once
seeing a bird of this species alive in Leadenhall market in a basket
at this season, in perfect summer plumage, and a strange-looking
bird it certainly was, as it sat with its yellowish-reddish feathers
stuck out from the side of its face. It had been sent from the
Continent. I have little doubt but that we will shortly hear of
the appearance of some rare birds attracted by the flooded state
of the fens, some of the migratory Sandpipers often appearing on
their way to their breeding grounds later than this — for instance
the Sanderling, Pigmy Curlew, Knot, Little Stint, Common God-
wit, Grey Plover. I have known all these birds killed in their
summer plumage, and evidently then on their way to their breed-
ing grounds sometimes even as late as the first week in June.
The reason one must suppose is that their breeding-ground has
probably been covered with water from melting snow, and after
the floods which have to subside, and the land has to dry suffi-
ently for them to build their nests on. I think your Caithness
correspondent will be found to be right respecting the number of
eggs of the Black Guillemot. The eggs are totally different in
shape, and in proportion to the size of the bird, from those of the
Guillemot and Kazor Bill. — C.M.A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne.)

55

SPOTTED REDSHANKS, ETC.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, June'lth, 1862.)

I AM obliged to Mr. Fielding Harmer and J. P. (Great Yar-
mouth) for the information about Spotted Redshanks, Green-
shanks, and Eared Grebes. Perhaps Mr. Harmer would say (not
for my information only) whether the Spotted Redshank has been
observed before this year at this season, or at any other. So
many persons are now paying attention to the habits of birds,
and know the species in their various plumages, rare birds are
not often overlooked. Punt-guns also reach many birds which
could scarcely otherwise be approached. It did not occur to me
that the birds might be killed from punts. On the 30th of April,
1860, a fisherman at Cullercoats killed a female Horned Grebe in
summer plumage. It was alone; the eggs in it were considerably
enlarged. Being common in Iceland, where it breeds, it might
have been on its road there. The eggs in many female birds killed
from flocks during the spring migration are often a good deal en-
larged, though the birds are far from their breeding grounds. It
is curious why some species of shore birds which winter with us
commonly, those which have wintered, appear to leave us as soon
as mild weather comes, and before getting any of their summer
plumage, whilst in the month of May flocks of the same species
appear at particular places in various states of plumage between
winter and summer, many in complete summer plumage, on their
way to their breeding places. One would suppose that had these
birds spent the winter further south, they would have migrated
as early as those which wintered with us : it is difficult to under-
stand the migration of birds. Some persons imagine that killing
a rare migratory bird prevents the species becoming more
commonly met with : this may be so in some cases, but it is not
in all. The Pigmy Curlew, for instance, comes during September
in flocks entirely composed of young birds of the year; some
years more rarely than in others, no old birds accompanying
them. They seem not to be able to bear the cold, as by the end
of thft month or the first week in October all have gone again,

56

before commencing to get their winter plumage. I never knew
an old bird obtained in its winter plumage, and very few indeed
of them are met with at the same places during their vernal
migration. Draining, cultivation, making docks, and inclosing
wastes do far more towards expelling such birds than shooting.
"Wherever there are suitable places and food, there the birds will
come ; how they find particular pools and places, it is difficult to
make out. — C. M. A. (Northumberland).

VERNAL MIGRATION OF THE LITTLE STINT, ETC.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, May Wth, 1863.)

IN an account of the arrival of summer birds at Kingsbury, the
Little Stint is mentioned as appearing for a short time during
its vernal migration, together with the Dunlin, and other spe-
cies. Whilst the latter bird is to be found with us, at such
places as suit its habits at the various seasons, during every
month in the year, the former is a very rare bird except during
the month of September, when some young birds of the year ge-
nerally pass in their autumnal migration, but even at that season
it is only found at a few places, and is by no means common.
The only specimen in its summer plumage that I know of as
having occurred in the North of England I purchased at the sale
of Mr. Heysham's collection. It was killed at Brough Marsh
June 1st, 1839, by James Cooper, who then lived at Carlisle.
His account to me at the time is as follows : — " I shot the Stint
just as I was leaving the sands in the afteruoen to go upon the
marsh ; heard a strange note amongst a few Ring Plovers that
alighted upon the grass about two hundred yards in advance ;
requested a friend, who was with me, to pass round them while
I lay down at the edge of a creek. "When he got within one
hundred yards I again heard the note approaching me ; thought
at first it was a clear- voiced Sanderling, not thinking at the
time of a Stint, which I had often heard in autumn, but never

at this season before. The note of both Sanderling and Stint is
a short sharp chirp, the Stint much clearer than the Sanderling,
often repeated when on the wing by both birds. It was passing
at about forty yards with the speed of the wind, which was
blowing hard at the time : I succeeded, however, in hitting it.
I intended to have sent it to you, but arrived too late for the
five o'clock train ; was just unpacking to examine it when Mr.
Heysham stepped in to inquire what news, and on seeing it
begged I would stuff it for him, and, as I lay under obligations
to him, did not like to refuse. I shall endeavour, however, to
send it over for your examination." It would always be useful
and interesting if your correspondents would notice when any
migratory bird, which is not commonly met with throughout the
country, is captured. — C. M. A., (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).

SPOONBILLS SHOT IN SUFFOLK.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, May Wth, 1863.)

WILL J. M. be so good as to give some more information about
the birds he shot ? Will he say whether there was a flock of
them, and the sexes of those obtained, which by this time are
most likely preserved, and whether they had the bare places on
their breasts which birds that have been sitting on eggs get ? I
think I have got Spoonbills' eggs in Leadenhall Market (taken
on the Continent) much earlier in the season than this. It would
be worth while trying to find out what these birds were doing
away from their breeding ground at this season. If breeding
birds, one would expect them to be with their young, and they
would scarcely be flying great distances yet. I have sometimes
thought, when birds appear at a distance from their breeding
grounds, as in this case, that they have been deprived of their
eggs or young, and, not intending to breed again the same sea-
son wander about, and appear at different times than during
their regular migrations. — C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).

58

SPOONBILLS SHOT IN SUFFOLK.

Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, June 6th, 1863.

I HOPE that J. M. will comply with the request of C. M. A.
(Newcastle-upon-Tyne), and give us all the particulars he can
respecting the birds he shot, more particularly as to the situation
on the coast in which they appeared, the time of day or night
when killed, and if previously observed in the same locality. In
the mean time, I am happy to communicate some particulars
respecting them which will probably be interesting to both your
correspondents. Through the kindness of Mr. Sayer, birdstuffer,
of Norwich, to whom J. M. had sent them for the purpose of
preservation, I had the opportunity of handling both birds in the
flesh, and subsequently of determining the sex in both cases by
careful dissection. Both birds were in full breeding plumage,
with a broad, buffy band across the upper part of the breast, and
a slight mixture of the same amongst the crest feathers. In one,
however, the buff tints were brighter, and the crest feathers
altogether longer and more developed, which led me, from merely
external appearances, and the fact of the two being killed to-
gether, to take them for male and female. The result of internal
inspection proved how necessaiy it is in all such cases to take
nothing for granted. Both birds were females, the one with the
finest plumage having a larger cluster of eggs, both as to size and
quantity, than the other, the biggest, perhaps, about the pro-
portion of a small hempseed ; but in neither case did the ovaries
exhibit the slightest signs of the birds having paired for the
season, and consequently the feathers on the breast showed none
of those nesting symptoms alluded to by C. M. A. I opened the
stomachs of both, and, excepting a few small pebbles, found them
perfectly empty ; but the birds themselves were in high condition
and very fat, both externally and internally, from which I con-
jectured that they had either been killed early in the morning
before breakfast, or immediately on their arrival after a long mi-
gratory flight, but on this point I hope J. M. will kindly
enlighten us. When I first saw them the naked skin of their

59

throats and the spatula shaped extremities of their bills were
bright yellow, and the irides rich crimson. The finest of these
two specimens was probably three or four years old if not more,
and the other not less two years. I have also seen at Sayer's a
third specimen, killed about ten days back on Hickling Broad,
Norfolk, also a female, which is no doubt a bird of last year,
being pure white, with scarcely any perceptible crest. The
Spoonbill is by no means a rare visitant on either the Norfolk or
Suffolk coasts, one or two examples being procured nearly every
year on their spring or autumn migrations, but more especially
in the months of May and June. In this country, of course, the
Breydon muds have peculiar attractions, and the Salthouse district
has also produced a large proportion of the specimens obtained ;
and even since the drainage of those noted salt-marshes, they still
resort to the brackish waters which there run parallel with the
beach beyond the high sea banks. It is now many years since
Spoonbills ceased to breed in our marshes, yet from their late ap-
pearance at times, and being occasionally found in " pairs,"* there
is little doubt that if undisturbed they would in some cases do so
even now. The high prices, however, offered for all rare local
specimens, and the cheapness of fire-arms as a means of securing
them, render it next to impossible for any bird more than usually
conspicuous to escape instant destruction on our inhospitable
shores. Sir Thos. Browne, writing some 300 years ago informs
us that "they formerly built in the heronry at Claxton, near
Readham, now at Trimley in Suffolk. They come in March and
are shot by fowlers, not for the meat but their handsomeness,
remarkable in their white colour, copped crown, and spoon or
spatula-like bill." There is also an old record, quoted by the
Messrs. Paget [" Sketch of the Natural History of Yarmouth
and its Neighbourhood," by C. J. and James Paget, 1834], to
the effect that " a flock of these birds migrated into the marshes
near Yarmouth in April 1774." — HENRY STEVEXSON, (Norwich).

* Has it been proved these "pairs" are ever male and female? More
probably they are wandering birds having no intention to breed at the places
they are met with. C, M. A.

60

ANSWER.
SPOONBILLS.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, June 6th, 1863.

In reply to C. M. A., there were only the two Spoonbills I
shot, and on dissection eggs were found slightly developed in one
and more fully in the other, although we thought from the length
of the crest of one that it was a male bird. The birds had been
nearly four-and-twenty hours where I shot them, and, though I
saw them apparently feeding, no food of any description was
found in their stomachs. I have no doubt they were about to
cross the water to Holland, their usual breeding place I suppose.
J. M.

THE COMMON SANDPIPER.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, February 28th, 1863.)

A. Y. Z. says he has shot three this month with deformed legs.
He is probably mistaken in the species. This bird seems to be
unable to bear cold ; it arrives here about the middle of April,
coming at once to its breeding grounds. Most of them depart in
July ; before leaving the country remaining for a short time on
the coast. Some birds of the year may be found at particular
places as late as the end of September, or even into October. It
is not very uncommon to meet with birds, especially those which
fly in flocks in the manner described by him. The malformation
is frequently attributable to shot. "Wigeon, Knots, Dunlins, etc.,
etc., are sometimes found with one leg only, the stump of the
.other only remaining, and the wound healed over. Where is the
Common Sandpiper met with during the winter months ? How
interesting it would be could we trace a migratory bird for
twelve months, and find out the distance it had flown. I once
shot a Richardson's Arctic Gull with only one leg, and the bird
was quit fat, the injury not having been recent. It was ap-
parently migrating along the coast with others of its species. —
C. M. A.

61

SCHINZ'S SANDPIPER AND THE DUNLIN.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Jan. 28th, 1865.

IN the letter from " An Old Bushman," in The Field of January
9th, on the subject of forming collections of birds' eggs, he says,
he hardly believes these are different species. TVill he be so
good as to give those of your readers who amuse themselves with
Natural History, further information as to his doubts. The
former has been so very rarely met with in England, that it is
not possible to investigate its changes of plumage and general
habits. The few I have seen (all Americans) seemed considera-
bly smaller than the Dunlin, slighter in shape, the beak much
shorter in proportion, and, in fact, the bird appeared almost in-
termediate between it and the Little Stint. Perhaps he will
tell us whether the former, in its summer plumage, acquires a
black breast, as the latter always does. Schinz's Sandpiper ap-
pears to be an American bird ; the Dunlin (if the American and
European races, or whatever they may be, are the same species)
seems to be equally distributed on both continents, the Ameri-
cans that I have seen being similar in marking to our own, but
considerably larger. If Schinz's Sandpiper and the Dunlin are
the same species, one would expect to find the former resemble
the American Dunlins in size, and not be less than the European
birds. Probably the breeding districts of Schinz's Sandpiper
will commence further north than where those of the Dunlin
terminate : the breeding districts of many of these tribes of birds,
although comparatively speaking unknown to us, must extend
over immense tracts of country, or whence come the clouds which
are found of many of them, from our own shores, even to those
of India ? The great difficulty in proving the migrations of birds
seems to be the impossibility of knowing whether the individuals
found at a place at one season are the same as those found at any
other place at a different season, particularly as we do not even
know that their migrations are confined to north and south ; and
I cannot see what prospect there is of solving the question satis-
factorily. Much less attention has been paid to the migrations

62

of this class of birds than to those of the ordinary summer inland
migrants — most of them inhabiting the sea shores, they are seen
by few persons only, and those, perhaps, scarcely knowing, or
caring to know, one bird from another; and notwithstanding
this, they are much more difficult to acquire any knowledge of
than the land birds, in consequence of their irregular appearance,
and the wonderful change that has often taken place in their ap-
parel during the time of their absence. In noticing the occur-
rence of the Eider Duck in Essex, your correspondent mentions
the bird as seldom seen in this country : it is abundant on many
parts of the north-eastern coast during winter as well as in sum-
mer. C. M. A.

SCHINZ'S SANDPIPER.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Dec. 26tk, 1863.)

I AM sorry I am unable to comply with the " Old Bushman's"
request to send him a skin. A friend of his as well as mine
(whom he will probably recognize) some years ago had three
young birds of the year brought in a whale-ship from Greenland,
which were the first I ever saw. I never had a specimen,
doubting its right to a place as a British species, and not caring
to possess skins of which I knew nothing. I find Audubon ob-
serves that he met with the young of the year only at Labrador
in August, and he mentions having met with it further south
later in autumn and in winter. He omits all mention of a sum-
mer plumage, and does not describe the young. The winter
plumage, from birds killed in East Florida, he states to be mixed
with yellow on the back, and the scapulars with light red. Some
discrepancy appears here : the complete winter plumage of all
the nearly allied species is plain grey on the back. Macgillivniy
merely copies Audubon' s description. My reason for asking
about the summer plumage was purely for information. 1 was
not aware of its being a European species till the " Old Bush-
man" mentioned it, and afterwards said it was described by

63,

Swedish naturalists. The uncertainty respecting its localities,
breeding and identity I hope he may yet have the pleasure and
opportunity to clear up. Though apparently nearly allied to the
Pectoral Sandpiper in many respects, it differs from it in being
considerably smaller, the latter bird exceeding the Dunlin in
size. I have one of these American wanderers, killed on the
.Northumberland coast, June 27th, 1855. At that time it should
have been breeding. During the autumnal migration one can
suppose it possible that a chance individual of a species breeding
in high northern latitudes in America might get too far to the
east, and thus reach the European coast, and find its way here
in the autumn without directly crossing the Atlantic; but it
seems to me more singular to meet with a straggler on its way
back again. I might add, that by attention you may in time,
from the condition and colour of the feathers of this class of
birds, tell within a month or so of the time of year when they
were killed, whatever age they may be. After they have once
moulted to a complete winter dress, which they do the autumn
of the next year after they are hatched, I believe it is not pos-
sible to distinguish the age ; it is sometimes possible to test the
correctness of statements as to their history, date of being killed,
etc. C. M. A.

Probably Schinz's Sandpiper really was never found in Eu-
rope. The Swedish birds are only Dunlins evidently. — C. M. A.

ON THE ALTERATIONS TIME AND OTHER

CIRCUMSTANCES MAY HAYE MADE IN SOME KINDS

OF ANIMALS.

WHO can tell what some of the different animals apparently now
existing in a wild state in various parts of the world are, and
what they would have been had not man interfered directly or
indirectly with them? Take, for instance, what is called the
Wild Boar. Who can tell where his first predecessors were

E

64

placed, and what they were like ? Is it like cattle, and sheep,
and goats, one of the animals probably created especially for
man's uso, and were they created semi-domesticated, if not totally
so, and placed where they were so that man might take them to
be useful to him ?

May not all the Wild Boars, distributed over the various parts
of the world they are now found in, have descended from one
common stock, and, having been taken by man to other countries,
centuries ago, and allowed to stray, or perhaps having strayed
of their own accord, have become naturalized, and time and cir-
cumstances altered their appearance, and who can tell to what
extent ?

The same remarks apply to cattle, sheep and goats, which I
think undoubtedly the Creator in his wisdom placed in Adam's
way domesticated or nearly so. If it were not so, how were
they completely subdued so quickly from a savage state ? No
wild animals can be so domesticated at the present time ; all ex-
periments to reclaim other species, with few exceptions, and
make them equally useful to man seem to have failed. Man,
having transported these to nearly all parts of the world, during
so many centuries, probably some of the apparently indigenous
species found wild in other countries, are only the descendants
of those taken thither by him, and which, having escaped, have
colonized themselves, but which are now, under different cir-
cumstances, as food, climate, and time, so altered, as not to be
recognized as the same species they may perhaps have sprung
from.

It seems certain that comparatively few species are becoming
extinct at the present time ; those which have done so for some
recent centuries, have been apparently singularly local, and it
would appear an All-wise Providence has considered there was
no further use for them. Generally it' there is occasion for a
species, Nature takes sufficient care to have it in numerous loca-
lities, so that, in case of failure in one or more of them, in others
the supply is kept up. One might ask, what wild species can

65

man uow make available to his use ? The Coinmou Fowl, pro-
bably, was put in man's way intentionally semi-domesticated,
and afterwards taken by him centuries ago to various parts, and
in suitable places for it perhaps it strayed, and for what we
know the diiferent varieties found wild in the several localities
in which they exist may have all sprung from the same original
stock, but which may have been very different in appearance
from any existing at the present time, but still be the same spe-
cies.

How admirably adapted the fowl is to man's use in every re-
spect : look at the eggs alone, and the easily reared young, so
totally different from what might have been expected from such
a bird — the natural shyness of the tribe to which it belongs en-
tirely gone. Xow the Pheasant, notwithstanding the length of
time it has been domesticated, never entirely loses its shyness ;
individuals may, but the species does not, and the young are very
much more difficult to rear, clearly showing it was not intended
to be turned into an entirely tame bird, and be useful to man in
the way of the fowl. Similar remarks apply equally to the
Pheasant and the varieties of it found in the different countries,
but probably not including any but those closely allied in form
and general appearance. Leaving the birds, but on the same
subject, as regards Camels, I think it is apparent they were
originally created for man's use, and also Horses. What was the
original of either ? What were the originals of our Dogs and
Cats ? May not some of the wild animals now found in various
parts of the world, and which are considered species, have in like
manner descended from escaped animals, and in time have nearly
lost all trace of their originality. I think if such animals pro-
duce fertile young when crossed with our domesticated animals,
this would prove their identification as species.

Another little animal seems to have been created for man's
use, the Rabbit. Why was it selected instead of the Hare,
which is so much larger ? The Hare, useful as it is, often al-
most semi-domesticated, seems disinclined to submit to man's

66

further interference ; the Babbit, on the other hand, has done
so, as it was intended it should, and probably in consequence it
was created with far greater powers of reproduction in order to
make it more useful to man. Our children have kept wild Rab-
bits, quite tame, as pets for years, in wire cages without bottoms,
so that when put on the grass they feed and retire as they please,
but they have always been kept separate. They like to be carried
about, and to run about a room ; but if they do get out outside
it is no easy matter to get hold of them again, perhaps more from
their being frightened than anything else, they move so quickly
and there is literally nothing to catch hold of.

Now we come back again to the birds. What a most valuable
fellow the Turkey is : no doubt it was intended specially for
man's use domesticated. The Pea Fowl, and Gold and Sil-
ver Pheasants, seem to have been created specially for man as
ornaments, and as such only, as though they live and thrive well
with his care — they can scarcely be called useful.

We now come to Geese and Ducks. Can any one doubt but
that the Grey Lag Goose and the Mallard, the origin of our do-
mestic birds, were created for our special use. Ro other species
of either genus has ever been reduced to a state of domestication
like them. The Goose has not changed much from its typical
form, many still retaining the original shape and even colour.
The Duck has changed perhaps rather more, but the Drake al-
ways retains its typical curled tail feathers.

There is one thing which has always struck me as remarkable
which is this, the similarity in the plumage of the true wild
Mallards ; though no two are exactly alike, the wild birds always
show the true plumage of the species. One would think that
in some places the wild birds might sometimes pair with tame
birds, and that a pied plumage would sometimes be the con-
sequence in the young, and that they might become wild and
migrate and travel about as Nature directs and teaches the wild
birds, and show variety in the apparently wild birds, but they
do not seem to do so.

67

1 am quite aware of the varieties amongst the half-bred birds
which fly about ponds in parks and other places seldom if e\er
straying far from home, and if by chance they do returning
shortly ; but the true Mallards always seem to retain their true
colour, finer shape, smaller feet, and more chaste feathers. Even
if you could mistake them when swimming or flying, the wild
birds are unmistakeable when you take them in your hands
the true wild birds during a year probably sometimes flying over
a quarter of the globe.

The Rock Dove was evidently another bird intended for man's
use : if it were not specially, why was not the Cushat, a much
larger, and, I think, handsomer bird, chosen ? but it cannot be
successfully domesticated, which is quite the reverse with the
Rock Dove. No bird is more easily kept than it in the various
forms produced by domestication, during probably centuries.

The remarks I have made about the Mallard seem the reverse
with it : this Pigeon becoming wild seems not quickly to revert
to the original colour, as, from the accounts we have of it at its
breeding places, varieties seem often to occur; probably these
are caused hy domesticated birds straying with those which are
wild. Xature however in general approves of uniformity, and
probably in time, unless other tame birds became wild in like
manner, the natural colour would in time become constant again,
as it originally probably was.

Xo\v for the Canary ; and perhaps you may smile at its insig-
nificance. If it was not intended to be a companion to man, why
can he not domesticate any other species of small bird so as to
make it a similar friend? He cannot, however, with all his
wisdom and care : he may, as I said before, succeed with indi-
viduals, but he cannot with a species.

The Grey Lag Goose and the Mallard were the largest, and
perhaps the best to eat of their tribes, and they alone have be-
come useful to man domesticated. He no doubt long ago tried
various allied species and failed with them. Why should this
have been so unless some rule beyond his conception had ordered

68

things to be as they are ? It is different with the Pigeons ; the
one domesticated is neither so large nor so good as the irreclaim-
able Cushat. Why is this ? These are our native birds ; but
singular it is, that we should be indebted to America for the
Turkey, and to the East for the Fowl, Pheasant, and Peacock.

I do not for one instant mean that man cannot make pets of
hosts of species, and with care successfully keep them, but that
is not the point. Can he make them generally and extensively
useful to himself and others ?

THE GOLDEN PLOVER.

(Reprinted from •'* The Field11 Newspaper, February 7th, 1863.)

S. S. S. doubts this bird being nocturnal in its habits. Mac-
gillivray, who gives a good account of it, says : "In the Hebrides
I have often gone to shoot them by moonlight, when they seemed
as active as by day, which was also the case with the Snipes ;
but I seldom succeeded in my object, it being extremely difficult
to estimate distances by night." I have often watched them in
the evenings coming to feed on the worms and insects which
come out of the ground at that time. The large flocks which
frequently remain at rest, if undisturbed, in the middle of the
large fallow fields during the day, in the evening separate into
small parties, and scatter themselves over the country ; but they
do not disperse till it is almost too late to see them, and they
generally fly near the ground, and with great velocity. Often,
when walking in the dusk where they are feeding, they seem to
let you get very near them by the cry they utter when they rise,
but it is difficult to see them ; and, as they often rise singly, it is
almost impossible to shoot them. The writer above alluded to
says the Plovers in the Hebrides do not migrate. Now, although
Plovers may be found there during the whole year, it is more
than likely that those which have hml there do migrate, and

59

that those which are there in winter have migrated also. It is
difficult to suppose that a species is not migratory at a particular
place, when it is migratory at other places, and when great
numbers do migrate from Iceland, Sweden, Lapland, and other
countries, where they breed and spread themselves over such
great tracts of country, and get so far south in winter. The
Golden Plover breeds on many of the high mossy grounds in
Northumberland. When the flocks first come to the lower
grounds, which they often do in July and August, they are some-
times not very wary; the flocks are then chiefly composed of
young birds, the old birds being then in the moult ; but, at that
season, they are not in very good condition. As a general rule,
birds of this tribe, when breeding, seem to get a plumage making
them less conspicious ; that is, more nearly approaching in colour
the ground on which the nests are. The reverse seems to be the
case with the Golden and Grey Plovers. Can anyone give a
reason why they get the beautiful black breasts, encircled with
a white border ? Can the male become so conspicuous in order to
divert attention fiorn the female whilst she is engaged with her
eggs or young ? In watching for Plovers in tha evening, when
they fly close to the ground, you may sometime*, by stooping,
get a shot at them by thus getting them between you and the
light. Audubon gives a most extraordinary account of a day's
Golden-Plover-shooting, which may perhaps be interesting to
some of our readers. It is as follows : " While at New Orleans,
on the 16th March, 1821, I was invited by some French gunners
to accompany them to the neighbourhood of Lake St. John, to
witness the passage of thousands of these birds, which were
coming from the north-east and continuing their course. At the
first appearance of the birds early in the morning, the gunners
had assembled in parties of from twenty to fifty, at different
places where they knew, from experience, the Plovers would
pass. There, stationed at nearly equal distances from each other,
they were sitting upon the ground. When a flock approached,
every individual whistled in imitation of the Plover's call-note,

70

on which the birds descended, wheeled, and passing within forty
or fifty yards, ran the gauntlet as it were. Every gun went oif
in succession, and with such effect, that I several times saw a
flock of a hundred or more reduced to a miserable remnant of
five or six individuals. The game was brought up after each
volley by the dogs, while the masters were charging their pieces
anew. This sport was continued all day, and at sunset, when I
left one of these lines of gunners, they seemed as intent on kill-
ing more as they were when I arrived. A man near the place
where I was seated had killed sixty-three dozen. I calculated
the number in the field at two hundred ; supposing each to have
shot twenty dozen, forty-eight thousand Golden Plover would
have fallen that day."— C. M. A.

WILD GEESE.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, April 9th, 1864).

ME. WEIGHT observes (March 22nd) that at that time hundreds
of " Common Wild Geese" were at Strensall Common, near
York. In England, we have four species of Grey Geese which
visit us : the Common Wild Goose, the White-fronted, the Pink-
footed, and the allied species with dull orange legs. Of these,
the (so-called) Common Wild Goose is at the present day much
the most uncommon — so much so, that several seasons pass over
without any turning up. Probably in former times, when ex-
tensive marshes existed and population was scanty, this species
would be the one residing the greater portion of the year here,
breeding in suitable places, and the eggs being easily obtained,
and the bird readily adapting itself to domestication, from it lias
descended the tame geese of our day. The White-fronted seems
to be more nearly allied to the Common Wild Goose than the
other two, their beaks ;in- lar-cr in proportion, in comparison to
the size ot the IK ml. and are all pale coloured. The Whitc-
t'ruuted Goose (as well as the Common Wild Goose to a much

• 71

less extent) are exceptions to nature's general rule, in this re-
spect, that when old, each individual varies in its markings on
the breast — patches of black feathers, varying in size and shape,
and the markings on the two sides of the bird not corresponding,
being general. The Common Wild Goose has traces of the black
feathers only, whilst in the White-fronted every variation is
found, from approaching black, to few feathers only of that co-
lour. The Pink-footed Goose is, I believe, the species noticed
by Mr. Wright, or it may be the orange-legged one. These
two species are sometimes met with together. I have heard of
their having been killed from the same flock. Although they
are easily distinguished from each other when recently killed, in
preserved specimens, when the beaks and legs have faded, it is
difficult to distinguish them. In the pink-footed bird the neck
is shorter, it is generally greyer in colour, and the beaks when
fresh have an irregular-shaped spot of pink on a black ground
colour, the orange-legged bird having a similar shaped spot of
orange. The four species, although spreading themselves over
great tracts of country, are nevertheless local in their appear-
ance, flocks of certain species apparently stopping at particular
places during their migrations. All the species when young and
fat are good eating when not kept too long, but, like the rest of
waterfowl, they should be eaten fresh : if kept till the fat begins
to change colour and turn greenish, which it soon does, they get
a disagreeable oily taste, many persons erroneously imagining
this to arise from their feeding upon fish, which it is perhaps
hardly necessary to say geese do not. The Common Wild Goose
is an early breeder in a domesticated state, and has young before
ths pink-footed species departs to its breeding ground. From
its remaining so late we may almost conclude that it goes far
north, and breeds in morasses and swamps not earlier ready to
receive it. It sometimes remains till May, and in the middle of
April in some places it is found in great numbers. Some short
time since I made some remarks about the Common Wild Goose.
Many of your readers are doubtless aware of the different species ;
some may not be, and to those these remarks may be instructive.

72 •

It is not difficult to distinguish the old from the young birds
when you have them together ; each feather of the young bird
is smaller than in the old, and in the old birds the general colour
is purer and the feathers seem more compact than in the young
birds. — C. M. A. (Newcastle-on-Tyne).

WIGEON, ETC.
(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Dec. 6th, 1862).

THE state of plumage in which a male Wigeon is described by
'• Astur" is remarkable, considering the season. The only way
to account for the quills being as described is that, from some
accidental and very unusual cause, the bird had not completed
his moult at the regular time, and had migrated here before
doing so. If he had been caught by a severe frost in fresh water,
he would have been in great danger of being made a meal of
by a Fox. I think, as a general rule, the drakes of the Com-
mon Wild Duck, AVigeon, and other allied species, cast all
their quills at the same time ; this they do in July, and the
birds continue skulking about amongst the reeds and coarse co-
vert until they grow again. At that season all drakes are in
their plain plumage, which nearly resembles that of the Ducks,
and when they are met with they are often taken for flappers.
During the time they are in this apparently helpless condition,
nature takes care they shall have plenty of food, without their
being obliged to travel to any distance. Their wings grow again
before the approach of autumn, and by the time it is necessary
for them to migrate — either in search of food or for sonic parti-
cular food they like — they are in full vigour, and able to under-
take their autumnal migration. The young of all Ducks, Snipes,
and, indeed, of all birds, get their first primaries secondaries tail
and other feathers, in most regular order ; all the feathers com-
mence to grow simultaneously, and consequently they all arrive
at their full length about the same time. In true game birds

73

the young commence to moult their first primaries, secondaries,
and tail feathers so soon as ever they have come to their full
length, and before the birds get into full plumage (which they
do before winter) they change every feather. The young of
almost all other birds, except the small land birds, retain their
first primaries, secondaries, and tail feathers till the autumn the
of the following year, though sometimes some species, Snipes,
"Woodcocks, Godwits, and others, change some of their tail fea-
thers before winter (some, perhaps all of them) ; sometimes the
two middle feathers, sometimes those at the outside only are
changed. The first feathers a bird gets are smaller (both shorter
and narrower) than those it gets when they are cast, and some-
times, in consequence of the two middle feathers, or the two out-
side feathers only, being renewed, the shape of the tail is altered
for the time. I have often wondered why the Wigeon is so long
in getting its full plumage ; the Mallard, both old and young,
are in full plumage by October or November, whilst the young
drake "Wigeon seems to get a plain plumage after its first plum-
age, and only changes by slow degrees to his perfect plumage
many of them not having obtained the white patch on the wing
before leaving us in March, April, and even May the following
year. The old Woodcocks seem to get completely through the
autumnal moult before arriving in this country ; the plumage of
the old and young Woodcock is very similar, which makes it
difficult to distinguish them, much more so than the Common and
Great Snipe. — C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), — P.S. In
illustration of what I have said respecting the difference in the
size of the first feathers of the young bird of the year, and those
next got by it, I enclose two feathers from the tail of a young
Woodcock shot last week, the larger and more pointed one still
moulting, having been taken from the outside of the tail on one
side, the smaller feather having been taken from the outside on
the opposite side of the same bird.

74

THE EIDER DUCK.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Mai/ 27th, 1865.)

A few weeks since an account of this bird appeared in THE FIELD.
A few weeks previously, in reference to a remark as to its rarity
in England, I mentioned its being common, both in summer and
winter, on the Northumberland coast. Your last correspondent
seems to say it is not so. Now there are some birds becoming
scarcer by reason of their peculiar grounds being altered, while
others are getting scarcer from being wantonly destroyed ; but
the Eider does not seem to me to suffer from either cause ; and I
do not think your correspondent gives Northumberland due credit
for the possession of this fine species. True it is, it is not very
frequently shot; but this is not on account of its rarity, but from
the difficulty in getting near it. The Eider does not heedlessly
fly, in the apparent security of evening, to certain destruction,
as the Mallard and many other Ducks do often. Neither does he
come into the shallow, smooth water, or sit upon mudbanks
where he can be approached with a punt, as the Sheldrake does ;
but he seldom even flies within shot of the shore, constantly
keeping the sea amongst the rocks, often in scattered flocks of a
dozen or more, where, in fine weather, he is unapproachable, and
even in rough weather it is rough and very uncertain work to get
him ; and as he feeds on dogcrabs, and his flesh looks very coarse,
I do not think he would be much relished as a delicacy. Possibly
the reason of its not being found further south is the absence of
bays, amongst rocks and rocky islands, where they might find
shelter from weather, security from their enemies, and food,
during the most violent storms. I hope and believe the year is
far distant when it will be a rare bird on our coast, particularly
as the islands on which they breed are preserved, and the rocky
nature of them renders it unlikely they ever can be made avail-
able for the requirements of man. Had these islands been of
sufficient extent, there is every reason to suppose the bird would
have been as abundant with us as it appears to be on the rocky
island-bound coasts of Northern Europe and Northern America.

75

What has appeared singular to me is, that in October you see the
young in flocks; further in winter, and more particularly in
spring, most part, if not all, you see are mature birds. Now,
what becomes of the young during the time they are undergoing
their change of plumage; it is not supposed, nor is it likely, they
acquire their full plumage the year after being hatched ; but, as
this seems the southern limit of their migration, what does be-
come of them ? The white plumage of the old Drakes after the
breeding season becomes spotted with black, and portions of this
plumage are visible till about the end of October ; but they do
not appear to get any of the rust colour similar to the plumage
of the Duck. It seems to me possible that the birds recorded as
King Ducks killed in England may be merely faded birds of this
species, as it is evidently a much more northern bird, and appa-
rently does not migrate far to the south in winter. — C. M. A.

SPHINX CONVOLVULL

Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, Sept. 16M, 1865.

Sept. 7. One of my children has brought in his cap what he
called " such a large butterfly." It is one of the above, fresh and
perfect ; he had found it on wall close by. What an elegantly
formed insect it is ! and how beautifully the pink and black
arrangement of colour on its body contrasts with its, in other
respects, sombre ash hue ! Its large eyes appear in some strong
lights as if red-hot. This Sphinx, as well as the Death's-head
and Galii, in some seasons seems to get dispersed more generally
over the country than the Privet, the Lime, and the Eyed Willow;
the three latter species, though much more common in particular
districts, rarely, if ever, appear to occur beyond those limits
(however fine the season), though the food on which these cater-
pillars feed is quite as generally distributed. Little seems to be
generally known about the habits of these insects. Are Convol-
vuli and the Death's-head night-flyers ? and do they take long
flights or remain in the vicinity where they are bred ? It seems
strange that the caterpillar of an indigenous insect should feed on

76

an exotic plant. What did the Death's-head feed on previous to
the introduction of the potato ? The Humming-bird Sphinx was
common this summer in the latter part of June. The last year
they were common they appeared in May, when the yellow
azaleas were in bloom. I remember writing in THE FIELD soon
afterwards, remarking that I had been disappointed ; the insect
had not remained abundant, as I supposed when the breed was
once got up again it would so remain. Caterpillars that year
were to be found, and as the species appears again the same year,
I had expected, from the quantity in spring, the number in
autumn would have greatly increased, but it was not so. The
Caterpillars kept in confinement came out in autumn ; but at that
season I saw but one perfect insect, and the following year they
were as scarce as ever. I then inquired how this was to be
accounted for. That year those seen in May appeared to have
lived over winter, being much paler in colour than those bred in
confinement, and paler in colour than those which appeared this
year in late June. Is it known at what time the eggs are laid,
whether before or after the insect has flown ? I presume those
that fly early in the season deposit their eggs, which come to
perfect insects the same autumn. It seems probable that the eggs
laid by the later flying insects may not produce perfect insects
till the next spring, and even then only if the temperature is
favourable to their coming from the chrysalis. Many of the
larger moths, and some of the butterflies, are very regular in ap-
pearing at their exact seasons, and only fly at such seasons, and
sometimes very short they are, during the year ; whilst others^
like the Common "White Butterfly, appear to come in rapid suc-
cession to perfection all the summer and autumn, provided the
weather is suitable. I remember a few years since hearing a
humming noise in the room which I thought was made by a large
beetle, which ceased on the light being extinguished; in the
morning, at daylight, I heard the same noise, and on going to MT
what produced it, I found it was a Humming-bird Sphinx
fluttering against the window. The species, perhaps, has derived
its name from this noise, as well MS 1'nmi its resemblance to a

Humming-bird in its flattened body and manner of flight. This
insect often comes into the house apparently attracted by flowers,
or by seeing a light through when the doors and windows are
open. I have seen it fly, with its trunks extended, at a small
quantity of wet sugar put before it when in the house. — C. M. A.
(Newcastle-on-Tyne) .

THE SHEARWATER.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, June 4th, 1870.)

When on the coast I bought a Shearwater Petrel, which I was
told had been drowned by having got entangled in the fisherman's
nets. It was saturated with salt water, and dirty. I washed it
in fresh soft water, and next morning it was as clean and dry as
it probably ever was before. It is the first I have seen recently
killed ; and what a singular bird it is, apparently approximating
to various genera. In form and colour, when lying dead, it
resembles a foolish Guillemot in its winter dress; but it is
smaller. The plumage, particularly the primaries and wing
feathers, instead of being harsh to the touch as in the Auk's, are
soft, more like some land bird's, and resemble in some degree
those of an owl ; the beak, which is black, resembles that of a
Cormorant (Willughby remarks this) ; the feet and legs resem-
ble those of the Red-throated Diver, and the leg bone which
joins the thigh bone is elongated as in the Diver. The colour of
the legs is singular, the outside being pink, irregulary spotted
black, with a hard outline. The wings, which are placed further
back than most species, when extended resemble those of an al-
batross. From the formation of this bird one is led to suppose
that it can dive for food as well as take it from the surface of
the sea when flying, as other Petrels are said to do ; and
this bird's having been taken as it was rather appears to
confirm this supposition. Its congeners the Fulmar and Stormy
Petrels have not the legs placed so far behind, nor so flat ; and
they in general appearance more nearly resemble Gulls in shape,
and from their form would appear to be unable to dive. The

78

question arises as to what this bird was doing on our coast at this
season. Hewitson says it breeds in June and July in Shetland ;
probably it is a regular migrant past our shores from its winter
home to its breeding stations in numbers, but keeps far out at sea
or flies quickly past, as it is so rarely procured. Earlier dates
are given for its arrival at its breeding grounds ; but can they be
relied on ? Some confusion evidently exists as to this bird. It is
said to have been common during the breeding season near the
Isle of Man, and to have bred in rabbit holes. Now, the Puffin
does breed in holes in the ground ; but those who have taken the
eggs of this bird in recent years describe them as been found in
almost inaccessible cliffs, amongst stones. Lowe, in his " Fauna
Orcadensis," says "the islanders have to risk their lives for the
young," and gives a more lengthened description of this species
than he does of many of the birds he enumerates ; but at the same
time his remarks respecting the risks and difficulties in obtaining
birds and eggs, though under the head of this species, must relate
to the subject generally. How is it it is so difficult to trace the
migrations of so many species of birds which pass our shores to
and from their breeding places to their winter quarters ? and
where are the winter quarters of so many of those that do
periodically pass ? AVillughby describes the Shearwater, and also
" the Puffin of the Isle of Man, which he takes to be the Puffinus
Anglorum," which he saw taken out of a nest, as " equal in
bigness to a tame pigeon." The remainder of his description is
taken from birds in the repository of the Royal Society and in
Tradescant's cabinet, and which certainly belongs to the Shear-
water. The eggs of the Puffin and the Shearwater and the size
of the birds being so much alike, I have often supposed confusion
has arisen respecting them. — C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
May 20). [The Shearwater, or Greater Shearwater, has repeat-
edly been taken on hooks baited for fish in Mount's Bay, Cornwall,
where, the late Mr. Jackson informed us, it sometimes appeared
by thousands. The history of this sea bird is still incomplete,
and we are glad to receive any information respecting it. Yar-
rell's third volume may be studied with much advantage on the
subject. — ED."]

79

THE FULMAR PETREL.

A correspondent, C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), in THE FIELD
of June 4, wished for information as to the habits of the Fulmar
Petrel, and expressed some doubt as to his diving. I have very
constant opportunity of observing them. They dive freely, but
in a peculiar manner, following the shoals of sprats or young
herrings in great flocks on the wing, and, dropping over them
like a hailstorm, dive about 6ft. or 8ft. beneath the surface, using
wings and feet, as most sea birds d9, but they appear never to
dive deep or remain long under water. They are particularly
bold and fearless when in pursuit of their prey, and by throwing
out bits of fish on a clear day will be kept round a boat, giving
capital opportunity of observing their habits. —

WATER-RAIL'S NEST IN NORTHUMBERLAND.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, July, 1867.)

On July 1 2 one of my sons was looking for flappers at the side of
a lough of about fifty acres in extent, one-third of which is filled
with reeds and other water plants, when a pointer he had with
him pointed a nest containing seven eggs. He broke one, and
finding it recently laid, he put another in his cap and brought it
to his brother and myself, who were at the other side of the
lough, saying to the former that he had brought him a Water-
hen's egg. I knew the egg was a Water-rails, and as I had
never seen a nest, we proposed to go in search of it again. This
appeared at first a hopeless task, but by retracing the track
previously made amongst the weeds it was again found. The
nest, which was firmly attached to the stems of the water plants,
was about thirty yards from the edge, in water knee-deep, whilst
resting on the matted roots of water plants, which bore our weight.
The bottom of the nest was in the water, and the nest was raised
about four inches above the water, and made of the flattened
stalks of water plants. It was quite hidden from view by the
arched leaves of carices which waved over it. The seven eggs

80

were apparently the number the bird intended to lay, as they
had been sat upon for a short time, and the yolks were very dark
in colour, resembling those of the eggs of the Terns. I am not
aware of any authentic instance being recorded of the Water-rail
having built in this county, though the nest is noticed as having
been found in the fen countries not very uncommonly. The
Water-rail is one of several species of birds whose habits appear
contradictory to the usual migratory movement ; with us it is
more generally seen in winter than at any other season, and still
it is apparently more plentiful in summer farther south. Its
movements, like those of other birds, are mere conjecture. Two
theories occur to me. One is that the bird may breed in many
places, and that many more do breed with us than are ever
discovered, in consequence of the great difficulty in finding their
nests, or even seeing the birds during summer, when water plants
are so rank ; and if the nest is found, the probability of its being
taken for that of a Water-hen or Land-rail, as so nearly was the
case in this instance. The other, which I think the more
probable, is that it really is scarce, but that there may be some
scattered places where nests might be found each year. I saw
the bird at the same place at the same season last year. — C. M. A.

PRESTWICK CAR.

THE 19th of September, 1855, I may say, was almost the last of
this celebrated shooting and fishing place. On that day the then
Lord of the Manor, Mr. Mitford of Mitford, and a party, came
over to see the fish taken from the pool, which was left when the
water was run off, never to be collected again. I went with the
late Mr. William Brandling, the late Mr. Barrett, then living at
Street House, and Captain Shum, then living at Prestwick Lodge.
A great quantity of Pike, Perch, and Roach were netted, and
we spent a very pleasant day helping to drag the nets, but re-
gretting to see the last of the place where we had spent so many
pleasant days.

81

The Car being a Common, the villagers round about kept their
Geese on it, and they were constantly looking after them, and
many of the freeholders had quantities of stock also. It was
thus much disturbed and was very much liable to trespass in
other ways. Tramps came to cut heather for brooms, they da-
maged the fences and young trees for shanks, numbers of idle
people went on Sundays and often set fire to the whins, and at
last it was considered desirable to have this prolific naturalist's
hunting ground done away with. The Lord of the Manor claimed
the shooting: he, living at some distance, gave the deputation
to Mr. Bell of Woolsington, a great friend of Mr. William Brand-
ling's, and in consequence the latter had leave to do pretty much
as he liked ; he being very fond of shooting, frequently used to
take me with him.

Mr. Lambert at that time had the adjoining shooting to the
north, and he also very frequently kindly took me with him when
he went to shoot. The river Pont, which when it overflowed
formed the Car, ran for several miles through his shooting grounds,
and a most prolific place for Ducks it sometimes was. The first
night of the Car being frozen over and a slight covering of snow
made many Ducks take the river, which was in many places over-
hung with bushes, and a walk in early morning was frequently
worth taking, five or six couple being sometimes obtained on such
an occasion. Some miles lower down the river it also flooded some
land and formed another lake which was surrounded by trees
and bushes, and was strictly preserved. This formed a most va-
luable resting place for the fowl when driven off or disturbed
much at the Car. The late owner of this sometimes also most
kindly asked me to shoot at it, and the show of wild fowl there
was often surprising. This retreat would have been a splendid
place for a decoy ; the late owner long since told me he had had
applications to have it turned into one, but he preferred having
his Ducks there at that time as they were. Since the Car was
drained the great body of the wild fowl have ceased to come into
the district. I had numerous opportunities of observing the many
sorts of birds frequenting the Car, and my collection of wading

82

birds contains many specimens shot there. It would be difficult
to find several of them now in this county at any season. Many
times have we watched the flights of Geese and the Ducks
coming to, and going from, the Car to feed on the flooded lands
outside in the mornings and evenings.

The late Mr. Richard Reay, who farmed Berwick Hill Farm
during the time Mr. Lambert had the shooting, perhaps killed
more wild fowl than any man hereabouts. The farm house stood
on a hill, and from the front door, with a glass could be seen any
flocks sitting where a shot could be obtained from the north side,
the Car being bounded by a hedge, every inch of which he knew
well, and when the place was flooded the fowl were constantly
driven up to the edge and within shot of this hedge ; and besides
this, from the house could be seen the flocks of Geese whilst yet
a mile off, coming in for the night to the Car, they having spent
the day on the extensive fields further northward. A lane with
high hedges on each side ran east and west, and as he almost al-
ways kept a large gun in readiness in his house, he had time to
calculate the distance to go in the lane so as to be under the
Geese when crossing it, and in windy weather they frequently
topped the hill sometimes within reach of his house ; but to be
so fortunately placed as this it requires the shooter to live on the
spot, as such good luck is not to be had at any time.

It may be easily supposed the reclamation of such a place as
this caused a tremendous alteration in the natural history of the
district ; no similar place now exists in the North of England ;
it was in fact a small fen. At times it collected Swans, Geese,
Ducks, and Waders unlimited as to species, as well as quantity.
The following is a list of such birds as I have known killed there.

January 28, 1848, I find this note. — A very stormy day. At
Prestwick Car with Mr. L. (who had the adjoining shooting) and
another. The cry of the Wild Swan was heard. Two came and
settled on a piece of open water, the only piece there was : we
crept to some whins on an island, the ice carrying us, and took po-
sitions amongst them. I was eastmost, Mr. L. having gone to
where he thought they would fly over on being put up, and the

83

other shooter was to put them up by firing at them. They flew
as expected, and on Mr. L. firing at them they turned and came
directly over my head ; I shot at them, and after they had passed
me, one of them gradually became all over blood on the wing, and
we saw it was severely wounded. It was snowing hard and we
soon lost sight of them, but followed in the direction they had
taken, and after going some way on the ice we came to drops of
blood, which became thicker as we went on, and at last we found
where the tips of the wing had marked the snow. We then found
where he had settled by the footmarks, and tracked him for at
least a mile on the ice till he had gone to the edge ; we then lost
his track in the snow in the rough grass and heather, and after
looking for a length of time we gave him up, thinking some one
must have seen him fall and had got him. Afterwards on being
joined by Mr. L. we had another look, and at length found the
bird nearly dead, but he had walked a long way from the edge of
the ice, and was not easy to see in the snow. This bird is now
in my collection. I once also saw a Wild Swan shot with a ball
from a flock of nearly a hundred ; they were frequently there,
but not every year by any means. I saw large flocks on Feb-
ruary 10th, 1836, and January 14th, 1847. and I saw some as
late as April in 1855.

GEESE. — Pink-footed, the commonest, usually most numerous
during spring migration, till nearly May-day. Bean, sometimes
shot from the same flock as the former species : Grey Lag gene-
rally appeared singly, and sometimes associated with its domes-
tie relatives. I have one killed 28th April, 1855, a young bird
of the preceding year. Brent Geese, which so rarely leave the
sea ; I only know one instance of a large flock which came during
a flood and settled on an island. Mr. Eeay killed four at a shot,
and the rest went straight away. 1 believe the White-fronted
Goose was also occasionally there, but it never came under my
notice.

Previous to the drainage of the Car Wild Geese were frequently
seen flying about during the winter and spring, even at a dis-
tance from it ; now they seem to have deserted the locality, and

84

it is a rare occurrence to see a flock during the whole year, show-
ing that the resting place having been done away with they
have altered their course. I find two memoranda of Geese being
shot when I was present. On the 27th January, 1852, Mr. L.
shot one Pink-footed Goose; and on the 20th October, 1854, the
bag contained four Pink-footed Geese, shot in the evening amongst
other spoils got during the day. Others were shot that I have
omitted to take notes of at the time.

DUCKS. — Mallards often abundant. Many bred there and in the
neighbourhood, but being a good deal disturbed, after the young
could fly well they left and no number were observable till the
winter arrival about the beginning of November, especially if the
weather was cold, and snow had fallen on the hills, which always
brought them, and by this time the water generally got to such
an extent it was not easy to drive them away, and they remained
till the frost came ; but so soon as the frost became very severe
not a Duck would be left. I find a note I have January 4th, 22°
of frost, travelled the Pont for miles, not a Duck left in the
country, edges of the river all ice, no feeding place left ; and
another note, January 9th, 1849, when with Mr. Lambert; we
got eight Mallards at a rise, we saw a number in a hole in the
ice which we crept up to. A similar pool left unfrozen and at
the same place the Swans came to, and which were approached
in the same manner.

WIGEON. — Quantities during open weather, remained from
September till frozen out, and again in spring, taking their final
departure by May-day, except a single Duck, which I shot on
August 2nd, 1852, while looking for flappers, and which had
probably been unable to leave at the proper time in spring from
some accidental cause. Some of the old drakes are in full fea-
ther again by November. I have frequently seen "Wigeon there
till very late in spring. On the 16th April, 1856, I shot two
drakes from a flock of forty or more in full plumage except the
wing coverts, which were not white but dusky, those of the young
bird. Probably such birds might not breed that season. I have

85

frequently seen them as late in other years. In spring before
leaving us the head of the drake gets much lighter in colour,
particularly the front. Though young drake Wigeon are so late
in leaving as the end of April, and not having acquired the white
wing coverts, I think they must breed that year, or why should
they all leave us if the young birds do not ; there must be a great
number of them during summer somewhere. It seems difficult
to offer a conjecture on the subject.

TEAL. — Used to come in large flocks in March when the drakes
were very quarrelsome, chasing each other and splashing the
water about. By April those remaining had paired, but most
of them had passed on their migration. In May the drakes were
in flocks of five or six together, the ducks probably sitting.
There were frequently also Teal in flocks of young birds in Sep-
tember, especially in showery weather, but rarely in mid-winter,
if the weather was at all severe. These are invariably young birds
of the year. I never met with an old drake with its black beak
in autumn, and therefore presume they have migrated southwards
early.

PIGTAILS in immature plumage used often to cast up in autumn.
I have met with them September 17th, October 20th and 29th,
and at various other times unrecorded during autumn and early
winter only, often with Wigeon. I never saw a Pintail between
the middle of April and the middle of September : they used to
come on their spring migration occasionally, and also to Gosforth
Lake : they seem to rejoice in water they can reach the bottom of
by turning up and putting their heads on to the ground, their
long necks being apparently adapted for this special purpose. I
remember once winging a drake at the Car in the beginning of
April, but losing him by not being able to get through a hedge
quickly enough and he beat me, getting into deep water. About
a month afterwards I found a clean picked dead bird, but with
the feathers partly left on him, and which had probably belonged
to the bird I lost.

SHOVELLERS came in March to breed, and generally those which
got away left early, as they were rarely seen during early autumn
or in winter. I have a drake and duck, both shot by Mr. Bar-
ret, the latter on July 26th, 1852, the former was amongst the
spoils of a day's shooting, October 2nd, the same year, during a
very high flood ; it rose from a wet place amongst the heather,
and I well remember picking it up, for I have good reason to re-
member the day, as on it I got a thorn into my shin in getting
over a dead hedge, which laid me up for several months. Numbers
of Geese and Ducks were then there. This is an old bird regain-
ing its fine plumage from the Duck-like plumage of summer,
the wing feathers renewed except the tertials, the beak black.
I have seen no other like it in the neighbourhood. I find a note
of Mr. Lambert having killed a young drake one evening in De-
cember, but I have not the exact year, which was then only
commencing to get its drake plumage, having a few of the dark
coloured feathers on the head and a few freckled feathers in other
parts and with the blue wing. The Gadwall I have before al-
luded to, as also the Gargeny.

All these, what I call surface feeding Ducks, rejoice in water
in which they can reach the bottom with their beaks by turning
up when swimming — once do away with that style of country
and they forsake it. The same may be said of waders, whose
delight is to walk in the shallow water and pick off the insects
and other things on which they feed from the plants growing in
it, their long legs are for the express purpose,

I remember Mr. Lambert shooting a Smew out of the Pont in
its immature dress, and I also remember once having a good view
of a small flock of Goosanders, amongst which were mature birds,
resting on the edge of the ice after a long frost, which had a
pretty effect as the sun shone on them. As a rule, this latter
bird keeps to the rapid fresh-water streams and seems to feed
much on trout — its near ally the Red-breasted Merganser when
with us as invariably seems to keep the sea and its estuaries,
very rarely, so far as I have noticed, having ever been found in
fresh-water. It is often common about Holy Island from au-

87

tumn to spring, but keeps much at sea and is not easy to get
near.

The drakes of the Wigeon, Pintail, Gadwall, Teal, like the
Mallard, all acquire the plumage resembling the ducks soon after
the ducks begin to sit, and all are totally incapable of flying
during part of the time they are moulting, as they cast all the
large wing feathers at once, primaries, secondaries, and tertials,
as do Swans and Geese, and the new feathers take about a month
to grow to their full length.

POCHARDS and TUFTED DUCKS were common during winter in
open weather in flocks, but they were rarely shot, keeping and
feeding in the deep water and rarely coming to the edge, as they
obtain their food principally by diving, and Golden Eyes were
also common (but not in flocks) during winter. In frosty wea-
ther they generally took the river and were often shot, princi-
pally young birds : the mature birds used to come in April on
their spring migration and rest a few days. Herons were often
there, and I got a Little Bittern shot at the Pont side on the
31st May, 1866, within a short distance from where the Car was.

COOTS and WATER HEXS were there in abundance, and the
Little Grebe often in winter, but I never heard of one in summer.
Gulls were also often there of various kinds, and one year I found
several nests of the Black-headed Gull, but it did not breed there
regularly, probably they were too much disturbed.

On two occasions I saw Black Terns. June 12th, 1850, when
fishing, two came quite near us; and again 2nd September, 1852,
when fishing we saw several young birds, which came within a
few yards of us many times, seeming not in the least afraid. I
have known the following waders procured at the Car : — Curlews
occasionally bred there, and were often there in spring and autumn.
The Black-tailed God wit has been got there, but I never observed
it myself ; Redshanks often bred there, but only came there to
breed within the last few years before it was drained ; Green-
shanks not uncommon during autumnal migration in August and

H

88

September, all young birds of the year ; Spotted .Redshank rarely,
and in August only, and these young birds during autumnal mi-
gration ; Ruffs occasionally bred there, mature birds with ruff on,
only seldom seen, the last flock in the year 1854, when several
were procured during May. Sometimes an old bird before getting
its ruff came in April and associated with Dunlins; and in autumn
young birds were in some years not uncommon, probably migrat-
ing from Sweden : sometimes none came for several years in suc-
cession. Knot. I saw one killed on the 20th September, 1839,
whilst in first plumage ; Pigmy Curlew when it appeared always
young in September ; Little Stint the same. The first Little
Stint I ever saw was shot by my brother so long ago as Septem-
ber 23rd, 1837. Two came with the wind past us on flooded
land ; one fell winged, and when I waded into rather deep water
for it, it was running on the floating weeds. Temminck's Sand-
piper in June in summer plumage, and in September for the first
few days in young plumage, but very rarely obtained. Dunlins
bred, but some years much more commonly than in others, often
seen in August and September young of the year, and rarely a
flock came also during winter in mild weather during floods. The
Ring Dotterel came sometimes, young birds in autumn. The Grey
Plover likewise at the same time, I have a young bird of the
year killed in October. I never knew the Common Dotterel
there, not* the Whimbrel ; but as I have frequently heard the
latter during autumnal migration flying over as far from the sea
(only about six miles), it may sometimes have been there, but
still if it had risen it would have been heard ; and I only once
heard of a Woodcock being obtained — it was marked down and
followed. I never knew the Common Godwit killed there. The
Green Sandpiper as an autumnal visitor in August and early in
September, and I once saw one in April. The Wood Sandpiper,
it would appear, occasionally bred there, as mentioned by Mr.
Hancock, and the young birds were sometimes shot during
August probably migrating from Sweden.* The Common Sand-

fa2'3L

* If these young birds had been heard in England, they would probably have also been
met with in July, but they appear to come each year, within a few days of the exact
time only.

89

piper was also often seen during summer, it breeding at the burn
sides in the immediate vicinity.

The times when most wild fowl came were, of course, during
floods in open weather; but in consequence of the shallowness
of the water it soon froze over, when all the birds disappeared,
but on a thaw coming, and BO soon as there was water at the
edges of the ice, the Mallards and "Wigeon returned.

During floods, also in autumn and winter, in open weather,
there were often acres of Pewits and Golden Plovers ; but, with-
out apparent reason, sometimes tinder similar circumstances there
were none. In February, 1852, I have a note, that probably in
consequence of the very open winter, some thousands of these
birds made the small islandsleft uncovered by water look quite
black. Probably they assemble to feed on the worms and other
insects drowned out by the floods.

Although Golden Plovers never bred at the Car, I have shot
them there in full summer plumage as late as the 21st of April,
at which time some would have eggs on the moors : these late
flocks would be probably migrating further north to breed, and
I find also I have seen them considerably advanced towards their
summer plumage as early as the 21st February .

Early in July, even on the first of the month, I have seen vast
numbers of Golden Plovers, both old and young, which came
most likely from the hills further inland, where they^bred, and
sit in the low fallow fields on the Berwick Hill Estate, and
which was only an easy flight from their breeding grounds.

I have seen hundreds sitting with their heads to the wind.
During a great portion of the day, they often sit motionless rest-
ing on the ground, except when one or two raise one wing or
both straight up as if stretching themselves. You might some-
times with two or more guns divert their attention and get them
between them, so that on their rising one would get a shot and
thus get a few. At this season the old birds are moulting, and
soon after this the young are moulting also, the old birds under-
going their regular complete autumnal moult, when they loose
their black breasts and also change all their quills and tail fea-

90

thers, the young losing their first feathers on the back and
breast and getting them replaced by somewhat similar coloured
feathers, but rather larger than those cast, and less distinctly
marked.

In consequence of the rapid moult and the regularity of it
amongst the individuals, and the number of them, quantities of
feathers lie about wherever a large flock has remained any time,
the primaries and tail feathers being those of the old birds and
much worn, they having served the birds a whole year, and in the
birds of the preceding year from the time they first got them.

In calm weather they move little during the day unless dis-
turbed, but during windy weather these large flocks fly about
much more, and often whilst you were wading knee deep in the
great extent of flooded land, these large flocks would come very
scattered right at you at a great pace and give you a pretty shot,
though you could only get a single bird if you could hit it. I
have often seen them fly over the dry parts of the Car also in the
same way where it was rough heathery peaty land, and often
though you saw the bird fall to the shot you could not find it,
particularly if carried by the wind, so difficult were they to see
in the rough heather. By the end of September the old birds
had lost all trace of the black breast and their wings are again
nearly complete, and soon after this the flocks are not nearly
so numerous, many of them having got their perfect wings and
probably migrated southwards.

Snipes if left alone bred abundantly ; they only were at their
breeding ground from April till September, after which the old
birds having got through the moult, they left following the
young, which probably went south soon after being able to fly
well. Prestwick Car was the only place I ever saw what you
might call Snipes at home, and there they certainly were in spring,
summer, and early autumn. In winter scarcely one was to be
seen, and then not on the Car itself, but on the runner sides.
The regular migration of breeding Snipes came in March, and
they bred there in numbers, or would have done if they had not
been so much disturbed. The place was bad enough in those

days ; had it not been drained it would have been twenty times
worse now, what with railways and other enlightening processes
which accompany the progress of civilization. What has this to
do with Snipes ? it might be asked. But it has a great deal, as
in many places it has improved them from the face of the earth
entirely where they used to be in plenty. All I can say is they
have afforded us many a pleasant day, and sometimes in autumn
we could get from fifteen to twenty couple, besides a few Teal,
Plovers, and sundries. The best time for them was early in
autumn, when not only those bred there were to be found, but
others from the moors, when food begun to get scarce, as it then
does, came down to the flooded land. At such times acres and
acres got covered with shallow water, through which grass came
and rested on its surface. On this grass Snipes, Plovers, young
Ruffs, and various other birds walked about and fed. The Snipes
were awake and moving sometimes all day long, often four or
five together, and sometimes mixed with the Plovers and other
birds.

Snipes lay in April, but it would seem they will soon lay again
if the first eggs are taken or destroyed, as one often meets with
young birds not able to fly in August, whilst the young of the
regular time should be able to fly in the end of June.* Young
Snipes are easily recognisable from the old in August ; they are
symmetrically marked, the edges of the back feathers being nar-
row and bright. They retain this plumage till the autumn, when
they begin to get new feathers on the back edged with broader
marks, being the plumage of the mature bird ; and gradually, as
winter advances, they get their winter plumage, resembling the
old bird, but they do not cast the wing feathers till the following
autumn. In August the old birds moult their quill feathers, and
they are often so much in the moult as to be unwilling and almost
unable to rise ; these are often taken for young birds but the dif-
ference is easily known ; the wing feathers of the young bird

* I find notes of having found a nest with four eggs on the 19th April, and also a nest
at Sweethope Lake, on the 10th August, 1840, containing two eggs— these probably would
never be hatched.

grow all at oucc ami are of corresponding size; the old bird
moults gradually, and the wing feathers are of unequal lengths.
I think it very likely the old birds migrate so soon as they are
able to fly well, and not only they, but by the end of September
I think it probable all the Snipes breeding and bred in this
country leave, as it often happens none are to be found for some
time in autumn, but after a time some come and these pro-
bably come from a distance with the Woodcocks and Jacksnipes.
Many of the young birds so soon as ever they are able to fly well
leave the places entirely where they have been bred long before
the old birds have got through their moult ; young birds may be
known during winter as they retain the wing coverts of the first
plumage till the autumn of the next year.

During summer Snipes used to be flying about all day making
their singular drumming noise with their wings, and also bleat-
ing away, reminding one of their name, — heather bleater. It is
surprising what a common bird the Snipe is, notwithstanding the
improved state of the country and the immense numbers killed
each year. In suitable places it is still numerous, and probably
though driven from many of its former localities, it will continue
to be abundant. It would be a curious problem to find out
whence Ireland is populated with this bird — are they indigenous
or do they migrate from more northern swamps ? We appear to
be exhausting the sea of its oysters ; will it be possible to ex-
haust the swamps of their Snipes, and which would be of the
most importance or most regretted ?

Within the last thirty years Snipes used to be commonly
found in dirty oat stubbles where water lodged and remained in
the furrows ; nowadays if the rainfall is ever so great the land
is so completely drained, the water never remains long enough
to attract them ; at any rate they are seldom now found in such
places. While watching Wild Ducks at night when none have
been flying, I have sometimes shot Snipes at moonlight by the
water's edge when they alighted between me and the moon.

Black Game were sometimes at Prestwick Car, but it was too
damp for game of other kinds.

93

When the Car was partly flooded in autumn, some of my com-
panions used sometimes to ask a stranger to have a day's Snipe
shooting. Drains had been cut in many places to dry the pas-
ture in summer for the eatage, and a sort of grass used to grow
which floated flat on the surface of the water ; where this grew
the bottom was firm, where the drains were there was no grass,
and consequently anyone knowing the character of the place
avoided the water : the drains, even when there was no flood,
were full of black mud ; the joke was to go in such a way as to
lead the stranger into a drain, and in consequence giving him a
bath, and then having a good laugh.

Sometimes when either fishing or shooting some of the party
would be taken in the boat, when there was one, to an island on
which grew some willows and dense herbage, a likely place for
Teal ; the party having disappeared to go round, on his arrival
at where he started would find the boat gone, — sometimes it re-
quired not a little difficulty to wade across again without getting
much deeper than one cared about if carrying a gun and ammu-
nition or a fishing rod ; sometimes a little temper was shown, but
it all ended in jokes. These were pleasant days the remembrance
of which must soon pass away, altogether, alas, how few of the
participators are left — most of them have disappeared more com-
pletely than tbe Car itself.

Besides the birds, Pike, Perch, Roach, and Eels, and hosts of
shells, plants, and insects were located there. The birds having
wings escaped annihilation and have gone elsewhere ; the fish
and shells of course were destroyed entirely, and many of the
insects and plants also, in consequence of the entire change, but
without doubt another set of animals and plants has taken the
place of their previous occupants, and certainly are of more use
to man under the altered conditions, but hardly so interesting to
the naturalist.

94

LITTLE BITTERN, ETC.

(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, September 1st, 1866.)

MR. STTRTEES, of Benridge, has given me a male Little Bittern,
in perfect plumage, which was shot by his keeper on the 31st of
May last : it has been preserved by Duncan, of Newcastle-upon-
Tyne. Bewick's figure of this bird was taken from one procured
within a few miles of the same place, and on the same stream,
upwards of half a century since, a little earlier in the same
month. This reminds one that when a bird has been once met
with, another of the same sort may be found not far off at some
future time. This species, though a regular summer visitant to
some parts of the Continent, appears always to have been a mere
periodical straggler in England, and not one of those made more
scarce by being destroyed or driven away in consequence of the
alteration of the face of the country. It is not noticed by Wil-
lughby in his work, and had it been of frequent occurrence in his
time it would hardly have escaped his observation, notwithstand-
ing its retired habits. Some persons have suggested that the
Little Bittern may sometimes breed in England ; but as atten-
tion has been paid to Natural History for so many years, and by
so many persons without the nest or unfledged young having cast
up — the only conclusive proofs — the probability is that it does
not. Several migratory species of birds take very long flights
immediately before their breeding season commences, and also
immediately after it has finished, the consequence of which is
that we find some species on our coasts sometimes as late as the
first week in June, which have never been found breeding in
this country, and must be then far from their breeding grounds ;
and we find others again returned to England by the middle of
July. The Whimbrel, a strictly migratory bird, neither spend-
ing winter nor summer with us, though many of them do not go
so far north to breed as some' other species, passes England in
the spring till June, going to breed, and some repass from their
breeding grounds as early as July. The only way apparently to
account for this is, that those which pass earliest do not go so

95

far north, but breed earlier and return earlier than those which
pass later in the spring, and which in consequence return later
in autumn. Different sorts of birds vary in the length of time
required for the purpose of hatching and rearing their young —
that is, before the young are capable of flying well and taking
care of themselves. Wading birds — as the Curlew, Golden Plo-
ver, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, and Redshank — require,
I think, about eight weeks from the time the eggs are laid till
the young can fly well, and immediately after this they are ca-
pable of flying any distance. At this season the young of these
species can fly better than the parent birds, which have com-
menced to moult their quills. It seems clear that these birds
only produce one lot of eggs in the season, unless the first are
destroyed. — C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne.)

THE LITTLE BITTERK
(Reprinted from" The Field" Newspaper, October 13th, 1866.)

In THE FIELD of ^August 25th Dr. Bree notices the occurrence of
a Little Bittern, killed near Colchester, on the 13th of the month.
Prior to its publication I also had forwarded to the editor a notice
of a Little Bittern killed in Northumberland on the 31st of May,
with some observations on the habits of the bird, and they ap-
peared in THE FIELD of September 1st. On September 8th Mr.
Marshall suggests, from Dr. Bree's notice, that the bird breeds
in England. Dr. Bree says in his bird, a female, there were
two small eggs for next season in the ovarium. Is that what
Mr. Marshall draws his inference from, and is there not some
mistake? I have sometimes examined birds, and in females,
after the breeding season, have found a considerable cluster of
minute eggs all the same size, and often so small as to render
the determination of the sex extremely difficult, if not impos-
sible. At any rate, if this bird would have bred in England
had it not been killed, it would have had to spend the winter
in some distant country, probably Africa, as it could not outlive

96

a long frost here. Now, thirty years ago it is admitted the
species appeared no more frequently than it does at the pre-
sent time, when there were a much greater quantity of suitable
places for it. Many naturalists are anxious to be supposed to
have found out, or to suggest, something new ; hence surmises.
Dr. Bree quotes from Yarrell two Little Bitterns, one a young-
bird, which was shot on the banks of the Thames in 1828 ; the
other, which was only seen, it is stated was in the same plu-
mage. Now, will any man undertake to say what state of plu-
mage an uncaptured Little Bittern is in when seen on the wing,
or even on the ground, at twenty yard off or less ? It is of no
importance to me raising the question as to the birds breeding
in England ; but, as I before remarked, the only convincing
proofs are the nest and eggs, or unfledged young. I cannot be-
lieve any wild bird would make a nest unless paired, or lay in-
fertile eggs ; and my theory is that the bird is, and always was,
a straggler in this country, lost in its migration. Montagu's
notice of a female in May, 1808, which he says contained nume-
rous eggs in its ovary, some of which were large enough to in-
duce a belief that it might have bred if it had not been shot, is
more feasible ; still, in spring all female birds that are going to
breed appear to have in their ovaries, before they are paired, a
cluster of eggs in a forward state, many more than they will lay
that season (except in the most exceptional cases, such as being
deprived several times of their eggs), and this occurs in birds
which have long journeys to take before arriving at their breeding
places. I believe the eggs come to maturity very soon indeed
after the birds pair. Does anyone suppose that if Little Bitterns
were never killed in England they would become commoner than
they are? Such a supposition appears to me simply absurd.
But even suppose they would become common, if they were
never seen what would it signify ? I do not want them killed,
and am as sorry as anyone can be to have them or any other bird
wantonly destroyed. It is probably owing to the number of eggs
coming forward in spring that the Pewit is enabled, on being de-
prived of its eggs, to lay again so speedily and to keep laying for

97

so long a time. Its having this power calls to my mind the dif-
ference in allied species : why is this not so with other species
to the same extent ? It is often supposed that, could we have
all the species that ever were together, a natural systematic ar-
rangement would he apparent. My observations lead me to the
conclusion that the more we see the more confusing and perplex-
ing the whole matter becomes. It appears evidence is not pre-
sent that any sorts of birds (except the few wingless species) are
at all likely to become extinct ; certainly they will not become
so by being shot. Let the croakers think of the Pewit, whose
eggs are so extensively gathered, both at home and abroad, and
also of the numbers destroyed in harrowing and rolling the
ground when they are sitting and laying ; yet still the species is,
perhaps, as numerous as ever. C. M. A.

In THE FIELD of November 17th, 1866, Mr. Edward Newman
wrote that it had been very agreeable to observe the probability
of this bird's breeding in Britain discussed in THE FIELD. He
gave all the notices of its occurrence from 1789 to 1866, in 23
of which years it had been recorded. He added, he thought
there was no sufficient reason to suppose the bird had ever bred
here : had that been the case, July would have been the month
to find the young (none, either old or young, were recorded in
that month), and that he must regard the Little Bittern as one
of those vernal and autumnal migrants that occasionally or acci-
dentally visit Great Britain in the course of their migration.

This letter from such an authority should caution people from
jumping at the conclusion that birds met with on migration late
in going North, or early in returning, had bred in England, un-
less positive proof has been shown, and that proof is capable of
being established by those able to give it, and at the same time
thoroughly to be relied on.

The notices often seen of birds having occurred I may add are
not unfrequently incorrect ; far fewer of us know many species
well enough to describe them than is thought of. I do not

98

believe there is any one in England who is acquainted with all
the birds recorded as English in the various states of plumage
they assume at the different seasons and ages. This may be
considered a wild assertion, but I believe it is no less true not-
withstanding.