Their Eggs and Nests. 183 



of its habits. It is seen, in no great numbers, on 

 many of our coasts in winter ; but I have met with it 

 in former years on the Essex Saltings only in the early 

 spring and previous to its retirement to the north to 

 breed. It is difficult to assert positively that it fre- 

 quents any part of the main British Island for that 

 purpose ; but it is known to nest in both Orkney and 

 Shetland. The nest is said by Dr. Fleming to be 

 placed in exposed parts of a moor. The eggs are four 

 in number, and, though very much less in size, still 

 very much like the darker varieties of the Curlew's 

 eggs. The Whimbrel is probably a fast decreasing 

 species. 



ESQUIMAUX Q'\5'K\.Y?^^—{Numenins borealis). 



"A rare straggler in the British Islands." ("Ibis" 

 List.) 



ORDER.— GAYI^. 



FAMILY— LARIDiE. 



BLACK TW.^—{Hydrochelidon nigra ; formerly, 

 Sterna nigra). 



Blue Darr. — These birds show considerable varieties 

 in plumage, according to sex and age. They used to 

 be very much more numerous than they now are, 

 many of their favourite* haunts having been drained 

 or otherwise broken up. Still it is not uncommon, 

 even yet, in some parts of the fenny districts — al- 

 though other Terns build in the close vicinity of the 



