AUTDMN AND WINTER BIRD-LIFE OF THE FAIRLIE SHORE. 183 



after dark, and even in the day-time some are to be seen 

 about the tangle-covered rocks, where I have noticed them 

 retreating before the advancing tide. 



Jack Snipe, Gallinago gallinula (Linn.). — Not abundant on the 

 shore ; I have seen an odd one now and then from October 

 onwards. 



Dunlin, Tringa alpina, Linn. — This is a species which varies 

 much in numbers in different years, being very abundant in 

 some seasons and quite the revei'se in others. Last season 

 (1907-8) they were very scarce; during August and 

 September, only solitary birds were noticed ; and although 

 they became much more numerous after October, they did 

 not occur in anything like their usual numbers. 



Purple Sandpiper, IVinga striata, Linn. — Evidently a rare bird 

 here. Mr. John Paterson observed tliree on the rocky 

 shore at Portincross on January 2nd, 1899. 



Knot, Tringa canutus, Linn. — A regular autumn visitor, arriving 

 from the 16th of August onward, and remaining till about 

 the middle of November, when all have passed on ; but they 

 are again observed at the end of February, on their wav 

 north. They are the most numerous of the Arctic waders 

 here, 50 or 60 birds being frequently seen together, and are 

 usually very tame. I have but rarely heard this bird utter its 

 note, and think it one of the most silent of all the waders. 



Common Sandpiper, Totanus hypoleucus, (Linn.). — Occurs in 

 August and September in small numbers. 



Redshank, Totanus calidris (Linn.j. — Abundant. Often at full 

 tide I have seen a large flock of these birds, numbering from 

 two to three hundred, flying about the Black Rock. This 

 is quite contrary to the experience of a well-known wild- 

 fowler, who denies the fact, often alluded to, of the 

 Redshank gathering into large flocks. 



Greenshank, Totanus canescens (Gmelin). — A regular autumn 

 visitor, occurring sometimes as early as August 4th, and 

 frequently seen till October. In winter it is rare, and I 

 have only observed it in December on one occasion. No 

 bird is more wary than the Greenshank, in my experience, 

 not even excepting the Curlew, which has acquired a great 

 and well-merited reputation in this respect. 



