98 FIRST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 



August. (See also Dorset Field Club Proceedings, Vol. XXXVII, 

 p. 251). While on the subject of Portland it may be remarked 

 that from reports from the lighthouse keepers and others it 

 appears that the Turtle Dove frequently enters the County by 

 this route, and that in the autumn the Tree Sparrow, a scarce 

 species in Dorset, consorts with the vast flocks of roaming 

 linnets, greenfinches and other species on the stubbles near 

 the Bill. F.L.B. identified a number of Tree Sparrows among 

 the ' finch-flocks ' on October 10th, while on September 18th 

 a very large number of Swallows were all over the ' Isle ' 

 gathering for departure. On this latter date Yellow Wagtails, 

 Whinchats and Wheatears were also travelling. 



The Common Terns were present at their breeding station 

 on the Chesil in good numbers in 1919, but left unusually 

 early, not one being seen there by F.L.B. on August 1st. It 

 is believed that the colony was raided by rooks, owls and foxes; 

 and these apparently by carrying off eggs and young caused 

 the birds to leave earlier than usual. A keeper at Abbotsbury 

 told F.L.B. that he had actually found young Terns in the 

 nests of tawny owls in the woods ! 



Swanagc and District. F.L.B. was at Swanage for most of 

 the time from June 16 29. 'Rock-birds' were breeding in 

 good numbers between Durlston Head and St. Aldhelm's Head, 

 Guillemots decidely the most numerous, but Puffins also in 

 large numbers, and Razorbills rather less common. The chief 

 colonies of these three species on this part of the coast 

 are at Tilly Whim, Dancing Ledge, Seacombe, and from 

 Winspit to St. Aldhelm's Head, especially along the S.E. of 

 the Headland. The chief colonies of Herring Gulls were: 

 on the chalk face of Ballard Down, West of Anvil Point, East 

 of Dancing Ledge, and especially along the cliffs from 

 Seacombe to St. Aldhelm's Head, where some 250 pairs were 

 breeding. Both species of Black-backed Gulls may be seen 

 in summer; but positive proof of breeding is still wanting, 

 though a pair or two of the Lesser species very possibly nest 

 with the Herring Gulls. A pair or two of Shags appeared to 



