244 KINGSBRIDGE 



frequently seen large flocks of gulls of different species ; also 

 great numbers of the various kinds of tringa. Now and 

 then, in the surge of the sea, the great northern diver, which 

 is a magnificent bird, makes its appearance ; and the guille- 

 mot pops up its head from the water. On walking over the 

 sands, you may disturb from its nest the ring-dottrel, which 

 will tumble and roll on before you as if wounded, until you 

 are considered to be at a safe distance from its eggs or young. 



A pair of Pallas' sand-grouse were shot, in the summer 

 of 1863, from a flock of fourteen, which had dropped 

 on these sands, apparently in an exhausted state. Their 

 journey must have been a long one, as their general 

 abiding-place is on the deserts of Tartary ; and not until 

 that year had any of the species been recorded as having 

 been taken in England. It seems sad to reflect that these 

 distinguished strangers should have met with so inhospitable 

 a reception on this their first appearance on our shores. 

 Slapton Sands afford but few specimens of shells; such as 

 there are being common to most shores. Has any one ever 

 noticed the absence of fresh-water shells in the Lea ? One 

 would have expected to find in such a locality a great 

 abundance and variety, instead of which there are, we 

 believe, scarcely any. Perhaps this may be accounted for 

 by the occasional influx of the salt water, which would be 

 prejudicial to their existence. 



The " Sands Hotel," which is greatly frequented by 

 gentlemen-fishers, is built quite on the beach, and is occa- 

 sionally, during severe south-easterly gales (like the houses 

 at Torcross), washed by the spray, and invaded by the 

 waves. The Lea itself is subject to incursions of the sea 

 on such occasions, which sweeps over the narrow barrier, 

 much to the discomfort of the fish abounding therein. 



