THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 21 



it is really in the true sense a sanctuary or hallowed spot, 

 I will leave my readers to form an opinion. 



It should be mentioned that the Water Rail was shot 

 here a season or two ago, and can be seen preserved, and 

 the pretty purple Sand-piper or "Tinker" is often met 

 with. 



Every kind of bird may be seen at times on the shore, 

 from the diminutive Golden -crested Wren which 

 usually arrive in large numbers in mid-November to the 

 huge Heron and the gigantic Crane, a monster standing 

 six feet, but of the latter it should in all truth be stated 

 that this bird has made only one appearance, in November 

 last, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. From 

 some correspondence in the "Field," it appears this bird 

 escaped from a private collection at Morpeth. 



For several years it has been noted that visits are paid 

 by the Hoopers, or Wild Swans, in parties of four, six, 

 or even eight, and these visits have been annual, mostly 

 during severe weather. 



On Monday, March 2nd, 1909, a string of fourteen were 

 seen to pass over the "Law" in close proximity to the 

 harbour on the Ross-link side. They were evidently 

 making for Budle Bay, which is in a south-easterly direc- 

 tion. Though common on the Scottish shores, they are 

 undoubtedly considered a great prize to a sportsman. 



Three members of the Wheat Ear family of birds arrived 

 on April 9th, and from careful observation it has 

 been shown for several years that the bird invariably 

 arrives whilst the Cheviots opposite the island are 

 clothed in a mantle of snow. The names applied to this 

 bird are various, for instance, Fallowsmith, White-tail, 

 or White-rump. 



This clean, interesting bird is one of the earliest of our 

 summer visitants. It breeds in holes, under and among 

 rocks and stones, in the burrows of rabbits, even occasion- 

 ally in those scraped by the Sand-Martin, in old walls, 



