272 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BIRDS OF GODALMING. 



Charadrius pluvialis. — The Golden Plover is common near 

 Farnham, W. K. 



Charadrius hiaticida. — A few of the Ring Plover have been 

 shot at Frensham Pond. W. K. 



Squatarola cinerea. — A few of the Grey Plover have been 

 shot at Godalming. W. K. 



Vanellus cristatus. — The Lapwing is a most abundant bird 

 throughout the moor district, occasionally congregated in 

 flocks of many thousands. E. N. D. 



Calidris arenaria. — The Sanderling has been shot not un- 

 frequently at Frensham Pond. W. K. 



Hwmatopus ostralegus. — Four specimens of the Oyster- 

 catcher have been shot in the vicinity of Godalming. W. K. 



Ardea cinerea. — The Hern is very abundant round Godal- 

 ming, particularly in the moor district. E. N. D. 



Botaurus stellaris. — The Bittern is scarce here ; but in one 

 spot, a little reedy swamp, near Eshing Bridge, two or three 

 are shot every winter. It is hard to put up, running exces- 

 sively fast, and even standing to bay your spaniel when over- 

 taken ; you are therefore sure of him when once on his trail, 

 provided you are not prevented by the reeds from seeing him 

 when he rises. The bittern is a light loose-feathered bird. A 

 charge which a mallard would fly away with, and which a 

 guillemot would laugli at, will rag a bittern to pieces. One 

 reason of this may be, that he hates flying by day, and will 

 not get up till you are close on him, and then flusters about 

 this way and that, and seems to be uncertain what to do. I 

 once saw one get up, a hundred and fifty yards from me ; 

 but not seeing me he came right over where I stood. I pulled 

 but missed him, after which he kept on soaring upwards till he 

 was completely lost in the clouds. I never heard the bittern 

 boom on rising, he usually gives a sharp harsh cry like that of 

 a grey goose on the wing. Rusticus.g 



Ibis falcinellus. — A single specimen of the Glossy Ibis was 

 shot at Witmore Pond, near Guildford, in March, 1833. W. S. 



Ntwienius arquatus. — The Curlew has been shot on the 

 moors, near Frensham. W. K. 



Totanus ochropus. — The Green Sandpiper is frequently met 

 with near Godalming. W. K. 



g Mag. of Nat. Hist. Vol. VI. p. 114. 



