BIRDS AND A?:R0PLA\ES 41 



the right and some to the left, according to the course the 

 aeroplane was pursuing. These scares were, however, of 

 short duration, and the Gulls never went more than a few 

 hundred yards before again settling on the water. Their 

 behaviour reminded me very much of that of a flock of 

 Lapwings in a field alongside a railway line when an express 

 train goes past. 



My latest and most interesting experience was at Aber- 

 lady Bay on 7th x'Xugust 191 5. The tide had been ebbing 

 for some hours, and on the uncovered mud-flats and extensive 

 sands in the western portion of Aberlad)- bay, great numbers 

 of birds had congregated. While going towards this 

 " congested " area from the opposite side of the ba)-, my 

 attention was arrested b}- the now familiar rattle of a 

 flying machine, and next moment I had my binoculars fixed 

 on a large aeroplane coming from the east over Gullane 

 Hill. Travelling fast, and at no great height, it was soon 

 passing over the bay, causing a great commotion among 

 the birds. Its approach, being evidently something to which 

 they were unaccustomed, was the signal for a general 

 stampede. Fl\ing off in front of it, and on either side of 

 its track, were thousands of Gulls (Herring, Black-backed, 

 Common, and Black-headed), many Terns (Common and Sand- 

 wich), and large flocks of Waders (Curlews, Godwits, Oyster- 

 catchers, Knots, Golden Plovers, Lapwings,etc.) The majorit)' 

 of the Gulls seemed to start with the intention of making 

 for Gosford Bay, but, finding themselves being overtaken by 

 the aeroplane, many— especially the Black-heads — turned 

 inland, and so back to the bay by a wide detour, while the 

 others turned in the opposite or seaward direction. The 

 Terns, having at the outset taken the "tangent" line of 

 escape, were the first to settle down again on the sands. 

 The Waders seemed to be the most scared. Curlews, Golden 

 Plovers, and Lapwings leaving the bay altogether, while 

 flocks of Godwits, Oyster-catchers, and Knots kept flying 

 round for nearlv ten minutes before settling. The simul- 

 taneous rising on the wing of practically all the birds in the 

 bay, which was more than I had anticipated was a sight to 

 be remembered. /t- 



50 F .7 



feiJ «- i is K ;^ U 



