The Birds of Pembrokeshire. IOI 
I have watched several pairs, during the summer months, so late 
as the latter end of June, that had every appearance of having 
nests in the locality, but without success. They then generally 
leave us about two months, as I do not see them again until 
the latter end of September.” The Whimbrel breeds in the 
Orkney and Shetland Islands, and its nest has not yet been 
detected elsewhere in the British Islands. On the last day of 
May, 1884, we were on Skomer Island, where we nearly trod 
upon a Whimbrel among the fern. The bird ran slowly off with 
trailing wings, and all the gestures of a bird just started from its 
nest, until she disappeared the other side of a hillock. We were 
following in pursuit of a wounded bird at the time, and un- 
fortunately did not pause to search for a nest, and when we re- 
turned subsequently to do so we found that we had lost the 
position, and our investigations were fruitless. It would have 
been very interesting to have taken eggs of the Whimbrel so far 
to the south. 
CURLEW, Nwmenius arqguata.—Common on the coasts, especially 
in winter, when it is seen in flocks. Single birds often heard 
and seen flying overhead some distance inland. We have 
found pairs of Curlews in June on the summits of the Precelly 
Mountains, and have little doubt they were nesting. During 
severe frosts in the winter, Curlews visit the fields to search for 
food, and Mr. Dix states that a flock of five appeared on a 
water meadow near his residence, and, although the birds were 
very watchful, one was shot, which proved in good condition. 
We believe the Curlew occasionally nests on Skomer Island. 
ARCTIC TERN, Sterna macrura.—Seen commonly on passage in the 
spring and autumn in the estuaries and off the coast, at Mil- 
ford, &c. Also in Goodwick Bay, where it has occurred to Sir 
Hugh Owen. 
COMMON TERN, Sterna fluviatilis—A common migrant off the 
coast in spring and autumn. We learn from the boatmen that 
there is a small colony of Common Terns on Skokholm Stack. 
