The Scottish Naturalist. 303 



would have been more appropriately placed, like the Curlew and 

 Plover, in that of the " Wild-Fowl," as I am not aware that it is 

 ever found (at least with us), during the close season, on any part 

 of the sea-shore, having long before that time — the 2d of April 

 — retired inland and commenced breeding. 



97. NuMENius ARQUATA, Lath. (Curlcw.) 



The Curlew, or Whaup, is well represented during the breed- 

 ing season on all the high grounds throughout the district, where 

 its loud trilling cry may be constantly heard. In the autumn 

 they retire to the mud-banks on the lower parts of the Tay and 

 adjoining sea- shores, where they congregate in considerable 

 numbers, changing their quarters regularly, according to the state 

 of the tide. When driven off the banks, they proceed inland for 

 some distance, returning again on the first appearance of the 

 ebb. Being wild, wary birds, they have been able to take care 

 of themselves, and consequently their numbers have not greatly 

 diminished. 



NuMENius PH^OPUS, Lath. (Whimbrel.) 



I have only once observed the Whimbrel on Tent's Muir, and 

 that in a small flock in autumn, of six or seven birds \ but not 

 having any notice of their breeding there, or having been found 

 in other parts of the district, I take it that they were only on 

 their passage from their breeding-grounds in the North. 



98. LiMOSA RUFA, Temm. (Bar-tailed Godwit.) 



The Godwit is not unfrequent during the autumn and winter 

 months in the estuary on the mud-banks and shores about Tent's 

 Muir, but I have never seen them higher up the river. These 

 birds would be much more common were they not continually 

 shot at and disturbed by punt gunners. 



99. Glottis canescens, Strickld. (Greenshank.) 



The Greenshank is much rarer than formerly, though never a 

 very common bird. During the autumn months they were not 

 unfrequent on the mud-banks on the lower parts of the Tay, but 

 it is only occasionally that they now appear. They are known 

 to breed in Rannoch ; and I have been informed by Mr Carring- 

 ton that he had frequently seen the old birds, and he showed me 

 one of tlieir eggs which he had got on the moor. 



100. ToTANUS cALiDRis, Bechst. (Redshank.) 

 This was once an abundant bird, frequenting the mud-banks 



