1904- Campbex,!.. — The Dunlin in the Breeding Season. 41 



of the Wliimbril, and of course not nearly so loud. It can 

 usually be heard at Inch all through the nesting season. I 

 have been struck by the fact, that it is very hard to localize 

 the exact spot from which the call comes; one can only judge 

 the directio7i. Another alarm note is a full clear si7igle note, 

 which I think is emitted by both sexes. 



I have frequently observed y?!^^/^^ of Dunlins at Inch in May, 

 varjang in numbers from 12 to 30. They always appeared to 

 be in full breeding plumage, but unlike the nesting pairs were 

 very wild and would never admit of a near approach. In 

 May, 1902, I observed five birds in breeding dress on the 

 Portinch Strand ; they were fairly tame. 



I often wondered how it was that these birds at Inch were 

 not nesting, as suitable ground seemed to be practically 

 unlimited. Mr. Moflfat's most able and interesting article on 

 the Rivalry of Birds'" gave me the explanation. But a further 

 question arises. Why do these non-breeding birds remain 

 at Inch and not migrate further north and seek new localities ? 

 Is it possible that even in the northern parts the breeding 

 haunts are also parcelled out and duly claimed ? 



Londonderry. 



NOTES. 



BOTANY. 



Vegetation on brickwork. 



When in Cork in August last, I observed near one branch of the river 

 the brick cone of an old bottle works. The cone was well covered with 

 a thick growth of very conspicuous vegetation, the plants seeming to be 

 from one foot to two feet in height. A similar cone stands near to 

 Queen's bridge in Belfast, but there is not a trace of vegetation to be 

 seen upon it looked at from the street. I presume that a difference of 

 the material used in the construction of the walls, or a difference in the 

 humidity of the air in the two places might account for this. I should 

 saj' the Belfast cone is used for grain stores, and also contains grinding 

 machinery. 



W. H. PATTI5RSON. 



^ Irish Nat., vol. xii., 1903, p. 152. 



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