BIRD-LIFE ON THE MOOES IN EARLY SPRING. 25 



occasional Wood-Pigeon begin to lay about the 25tb. March 

 is usually a good month for Jacksnipes. I have several 

 times^ met with little parties of five or six together, both on 

 the moors and the lowlands. These are evidently resting 

 on their passage northwards, for, even if not shot, none are 

 to be found the following day. 



March 31st. — Killed to-day the first adder ; another on 

 April 6th. They are common on the moors throughout 

 the summer months, living on mice and small birds, and 

 often met with while grouse-shooting. On September 25th 

 (1881), I killed an adder of a peculiar warm reddish hue — 

 quite difl"erent to the ordinary colour. It was gliding down 

 a steep slope, moving on the top of the heather, and 

 contained three whole field-mice. This adder was also 

 the latest I recollect seeing ; they go into winter-quarters 

 about the end of September. 



The Eing-Dotterel {.'Eguditis Maticida), in this country, 

 is usually marine in its haunts, and we have never known 

 of its breeding inland ; yet at the end of March they are 

 not uncommon upon the wide haughs of Upper Coquetdale, 

 (25 miles from the sea), associating with Eedshanks, 

 Peewits, and an occasional Dunlin. 



April. 



The most thoroughly characteristic sound of the moorland 

 valleys at this season is the peculiar love-song of the 

 Blackcock. One hears everywhere the strange low bubbling 

 note, and presently detects its author in the form of a black 

 and white spot, far out in the centre of some wide pasture, 

 or on the rush-clad slope of the hill. Around the excited 

 mass of black and white feathers sit his consorts — half-a- 

 dozen Grey-hens, some picking at the rush-seeds, others 

 preening themselves, or enjoying a quiet siesta ; but all 

 supremely careless, and to all appearance unconscious of the 

 elaborate demonstrations which are being performed for their 

 behoof. Altogether, it is an extraordinary spectacle, and 

 one that is somewhat involved in mystery. During the 

 months of March and April the performance is incessant ; 



