206 BIRDS OF CHESHIRE. 
Brocklebank’s collection which he killed at Hilbre on 
September 29th, 1899. Mr. Brocklebank informs us 
that Turnstones were fairly plentiful in the Dee Estuary 
in the autumn of 1899. 
OYSTER-CATCHER. 
H&MATOPUS OSTRALEGUS, Linnzeus. 
Although it does not now nest on the Wirral coast, 
the Oyster-catcher cannot be classed as other than a 
resident species, as it frequents the shore in varying 
numbers throughout the year. Mr. R. Newstead has 
met with it occasionally in winter on the Mersey shore 
at Stanlow and Ince, and at that season it is some- 
times abundant in the Dee Estuary. When walking 
along the shore from West Kirby to Parkgate in the 
month of November, we have been struck with the 
large numbers of Oyster-catchers in the estuary. Of 
the many flocks, more than one would comprise at least 
five hundred birds. 
The Oyster-catcher still breeds on the Welsh side of 
the Dee Estuary, and on May 13th, 1894, we saw a flock 
of about two hundred birds on the Cheshire shore 
between Heswall and Thurstaston. Brockholes does 
not appear to have actually seen a nest, but considered 
that he had good authority for stating that the bird 
had bred near Hoylake.” 
1 Dobie, op. cit. p. 334. 2 Brockholes, op. cit. p. 11. 
