78 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS. 



early as the end of July, by the appearance of the Arctic Skuas 

 and "Whimbrels, both of which breed as far south as Shetland. 

 These are followed during August by vast flights of Godwits, 

 Knots, and other waders, many of which have come from the 

 yet unpenetrated recesses of the Arctic regions. None of 

 these species are at all regular visitants to the inland moors, 

 their usual course of migration lying along the line of coast. 

 I have, however, notes of the occurrence inland of both the 

 first-named birds. 



On the 28th August, 1878, a large flight of Whimbrels 

 appeared, frequenting a moss-flowe, on a high moor upwards 

 of twenty miles from the sea ; and on the very same date, 

 nine years later, several hundreds passed overhead, calling 

 continuously. These were all arranged in V form, like 

 wild geese. The coincidence of dates is worth recording ; 

 but otherwise the migration of Whimbrels at this season is a 

 common enough occurrence, whether on the fells or fields, 

 or on the sea-coast. The note of the Whimbrel is a clear, 

 loud, tri-syllabic whistle, oft-repeated, quite audible at a 

 mile or two's distance, and when once learnt is not easily 

 forgotten, or mistaken for that of any other bird. 



Of the Arctic Skua, the single occurrence I am aware of 

 inland was as long ago as Sept. 12, 1854. This bird was 

 shot by Mr. Crawhall, on Ireshope, in Weardale, passing 

 overhead, and was in the mottled plumage of its first year. 

 Of all the many varieties of migratory birds which in August 

 reach our shores in such vast numbers, the above-named are 

 the only two species I have met with on the inland moors 

 during that month, and, to be strictly accurate, one of these 

 was in September. The Woodcock I do not mention, as a 

 few breed locally in Durham and Northumberland ; at the 

 same time I have only once met with one in August. The 

 ripening crops of mountain berries attracts frequent passing 

 visits from the migratory bands of Missel Thrushes and other 

 birds at this season, as well as from flocks of Cushats. 

 Packs of these latter are often feeding out on the fell edges, 

 where Kooks and Jackdaws also revel in the abundance of 

 caterpillars. But the resident birds are so well known as 

 hardly to call for any remark. 



