CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 123 



WHEATEAB.- (SPRING.) 

 Case 141. 



This is one of the earliest >of onr spring visitors, 

 appearing frequently before the cold weather has left 

 us. It rapidly spreads itself over the country, and 

 during the breeding season is quite as numerous on 

 some of the northern moors as on the Downs of Sussex. 

 The specimens in the case were obtained early in 

 April, 1866, in the neighbourhood of Brighton. 



KNOT. (WINTER.) 

 Case 142. 



During severe weather Knots are often observed on 

 the mudbanks in flocks of several thousands. I have 

 seen them particularly numerous in the harbours on 

 the coast of Sussex and Hampshire, also in Norfolk, 

 and as far north as the flat shores of Koss-shire and 

 Sutherland. 



In consequence of their remarkable tameness, they 

 are certain to fall victims to the punt-gunners, and 

 from one to two hundred are often bagged at one dis- 

 charge ; as they generally bring in to the fowlers from 

 fourpence to fivepence each, a large flock of Knots is 

 always an acceptable sight. 



The birds in the case were killed at the Little Ferry, 

 in Sutherland, in March, 1869.* 



* Seventy Knots and twenty-four Godwits, the whole being 

 the result of a single shot, were picked up together with the 

 present specimens; at least half "as many more being swept 

 away by the flowing tide before those nearest at hand could be 

 gathered up. Considering the fact that the gun was only 

 loaded with 10 oz. of No. 1, it was by no means a bad shot. 



