1920.] Ornithology of the Island of Texel. 391 



Black-tailed Godwit. 



On 24 August we saw several in the Polder het Noorden, 

 but the majority seemed to have gone ; only two birds 

 there on the 28th. I actually saw one feeding close to the 

 road in company with some chickens ! None seen in 

 September. This species appears to keep inside the sea-wall, 

 for we did not see it on the shore at any time. "Breeds 

 commonly " (all authors). " Commoner at Waalenburg 

 than in the north polders " (L. J.). Texel is the only island 

 of the Friesian group on which this species breeds. 



Curlew. 



Very numerous on the shore in August, numbers in- 

 creasing almost daily, especially on the 30th and 31st. 

 The adult birds were nearly through the moult into winter- 

 plumage, whilst some of the Bar-tailed Godwits had not shed 

 a feather. Numbers rested on the polders during the day and 

 " flighted " out to the shore at dusk. During September 

 and October this species was met with each day, though in 

 far fewer numbers, there being notable decreases on 19 and 21 

 September, but there were fresh arrivals again on 10 October. 

 " Noted as common in spring, and a few bred in the sand- 

 hills'' (v.). Also noted as breeding by all the other authors. 

 " Single pairs breed on Ylieland and Ters'^helling " (L.J.). 



Whimbrel. 



In August we saw a few each day, but usually in twos or 

 threes, one small flock being observed ; no marked migra- 

 tion. Single birds noted on 16 September and 1 October. 

 "Noted as very common on spring migration " (V.). 



Black Tern. 



Not met with. " Colony of about forty pairs breed at 

 Waalenburg" (L.J.); Daalder also gave me similar in- 

 formation, and this is doubtless the colony referred to by 

 Thijsse and Popham {in litt.). 



Sandwich Tern. 



Numbers seen in August and September up to 2 October 

 and two birds on the 10th. Generally seen passing to and 



