31 



(5.) Coturnix cotnmtmis. Quail. 



Mr. R. Mann heard a male calling vociferously near Allonby, on 

 June 18th. It is possible that a pair bred in this locality in 1886, 

 as in some previous years. 



(6.) Scolopax rusticola. 



Woodcock bred plentifully in the north and south-west of the 

 county (cf. Postlethwaite, Zool 1886, p. 300) in the spring of 1886. 



The first Woodcock's nest reported was found on April 1st, by 

 Mr. Plenderleath, and contained four eggs, upon which an old bird 

 was brooding. 



Mr. Duckworth examined five nests on AprU 23rd, one being 

 placed in Cross-leaved Heath (^ica tetralix), and a second among 

 dead oak leaves, under cover of a Rhododendron. A third was 

 placed in Ling (Calluna vulgaris), and a fourth was partly hidden 

 by some brambles. 



Of five nests examined near Longtown on April 23rd, four proved 

 to contain eggs advanced in incubation. The fifth nest contained 

 five eggs ; but of these, three were "dwarfs ;" the others were just 

 chipping the shell. 



In 1885, a Woodcock's nest, containing a clutch oi Jive eggs, was 

 found near Thurstonfield. 



The adult Woodcocks, observed, brooded over their nests with 

 singular temerity, continuing in some instances to remain on the 

 nests until actually touched. 



The first young Woodcock were seen on the wing upon the 14th 

 of May. 



Note.— A record of Woodcock breeding in Northumberland 

 appeared in The Field of May 29th, 1886, and was erroneously 

 referred to the Carlisle district (R. F. Mathews. Ih.). 



SUMMARY. 

 The year i886 opened with severe frost, which lasted, with some 

 interruptions, for many weeks, and resulted in a late nesting 



season. 



The inclemency of the weather on high grounds induced many 

 species of small birds to seek for food in the neighbourhood of the 

 coast. Hence Chaffinches, Greenfinches, House Sparrows, Yellow- 

 hammers, and Common Buntings frequented the farmsteads near 

 the Solway in unprecedented numbers, 



