304 The Scottish Naturalist. 



on the lower part of the Tay both in the spring and autumn, 

 retiring to the higher grounds to breed, where they might be 

 seen in considerable numbers on most of our hills in spring ; but 

 of late years they have greatly diminished. 



1 01. x\cTiTis HYPOLEUcos, Gould. (Sandpiper.) 



The Sandpiper, or Summer Snipe, as it is sometimes called, 

 gladdens us with its cheery piping note on its arrival early in 

 May, dispersing itself over all our rivers and streams throughout 

 the district, and at once commences its nesting duties, concealing 

 its eggs carefully under some projecting tuft on the adjoining 

 bank : these I have frequently found by the middle or third 

 week in May. 



Strepsilas interpres, Gould. (Turnstone.) 



Calidris arenaria. Leach. (Sanderling.) 



Both these birds have been noticed at the mouth of the Tay, 

 but from their being so casual in appearance, especially the 

 Sanderling, they can scarcely be included in the list of regular 

 visitants. 



102. Tringa canutus, Linn. (Knot.) 



The Knot was many years ago abundant on all the mud- 

 banks on the lower Tay, but, like the Godwit, Redshank, and 

 many others, has been of late years greatly diminished, princi- 

 pally owing to the demand for these birds in the Edinburgh and 

 other markets, especially at the time when game is scarce, and 

 consequently they get no rest from the various gunners always 

 in search of them. 



Ancylocheilus subarquata, Kaup. (Curlew Sandpiper.) 



Mr Horn records an example of the Curlew Sandpiper having 

 been shot by Mr Dewar on Loch Tay, but no mention is made 

 of the date of capture. I have never observed it on the lower 

 part of the Tay or the sea-shore near the mouth, and therefore 

 consider its appearance on Loch Tay merely accidental. 



103. Pelidna cinclus, Bonap. (Dunlin.) 



The Dunlin does not seem to make its appearance so high up 

 the tideway in the Tay as it formerly did — frequenting all the 

 banks and projecting points, in autumn and spring, nearly as 

 high up as Perth. It is, however, yet to be seen in considerable 



