i 
BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT. 341 
Some years ago I saw one in the hands of the late Mr. Wm. 
Tuompson for preservation, which had been shot on the Estuary 
of the Dee. 
* Numenius arquata. CurLew. 
BROcKHOLES’ remark that it is ‘common in autumn and 
winter round the shores” (Br. p. 11) applies to the whole district 
as well as to Wirral. It breeds freely on the moors and mountains 
of Wales, e.g., Moelfre-Uchaf [R.K.C.] 
In the Minera district these birds generally lay their eggs on 
a bare piece of ground which has been “ fired.” [R.N.] 
Numenius Phoeopus. WHIMBREL. 
‘‘ Occasional in autumn and winter round the shores. Some- 
times a flock may be seen.” (Br. p. 11.) 
Apparently scarce. I have not been able to obtain a specimen 
for the Museum Collection [R.N.] There is one in the Warring- 
ton Museum ‘from Runcorn, presented 1852.” 
Mr. Cecit Smiru, Blacon Point, has obtained for me the 
information that Mr. Lunt (the keeper) often sees them in early 
spring in the fields of Sealand (Flintshire), and sometimes on 
the Cheshire side of the county boundary. He shot a specimen, 
which I have seen stuffed in his house. 
Order GAVIA. 
* Hydrochelidon nigra. Brack TERN. 
BRoCKHOLES says: ‘‘I have seen one in autumn on the Dee 
Marsh near Puddington.” (Br. p. 16.) 
The late Mr. Wm. THompson told me that one year he 
received several specimens from the Dee Estuary. 
Two specimens were shot at Oakmere on April 22nd, 1893, 
but one only was obtained ; it proved to be a male in mature 
summer plumage [Coll. G.M.] Mr. Newsreap found the 
stomach to contain chiefly Dzpfera (a large species), also two 
wing-cases of a bright green Chrysomelid beetle, and one speci- 
men of Aphodius punctato-sulcatus. (This was reported in the 
Zoologist, June, 1893, p. 227 ) 
Sterna fluviatilis. Common TERN. 
“ Sometimes occurs in autumn on the Dee and Marshes. 
I have seen it also on Bidston Marsh. I believe this species 
formerly bred in Wirral.” (Br. p. 16.) 
[RN rit seen odd specimens from the Dee, chiefly immature” 
