Birds. 7629 



Gray Plover {Vanellus melanogaster) . Winter. 



Lapwing {V. cristatus). Permanent, 



Turnstone [Slrepsilas interpres). Winter. 



Heron (Ardea cinerea). Permanent. 



Purple Heron {A. purpurea). This handsome bird used formerly to 

 breed regularly in many parts of the country, but it is now compara- 

 tively rare, even in winter. 



Bittern [A. stellaris). Occasional. 



Little Bittern {A. minuta). Occasional. Not unfrequently seen in 

 the Brussels markets. 



Redshank [Totanus calidris). Common in winter, T have been 

 informed that a few breed regularly every year upon the banks of the 

 Meuse. 



Green Sandpiper {T. ochropns). Spring and autumn. 



Wood Sandpiper {T. glareola). Spring and autumn. 



Common Sandpiper [T. hypoleucos). Summer. I saw two of these 

 birds early in March, while snow was still upon the ground. 



*Spotted Sandpiper {T. macularius). Two specimens now in my 

 collection were purchased by me on the 15th of March, 1853. They 

 were lying in a shop window, among a number of dunlins and ringed 

 plovers, where they would probably have escaped my notice, had not 

 my attention been attracted by their pale reddish brown feet and legs. 

 I was unable to ascertain from whence they came in the first instance, 

 they having been obtained in the market a iew hours previously, but 

 the absence of any marine odour suggested the probability of their 

 having been shot inland. Upon dissection they both proved to be 

 females. The stomachs contained coarse gravel and a few minute 

 worms. 



Greenshank {Totanus glottis). Occasional. 



Blacktailed Godwit {Limosa melanura) . Spring and autumn. 



Ruff {Machetes pugnax). Summer. 



Woodcock {Scolopax rusticola). Winter. 



Great Snipe {S. major). Occasional. Winter. 



Common Snipe {S. gallinago). Winter. A f^yt remain to breed. 



Jack Snipe {S. gallinula). Winter. 



Curlew Sandpiper {Trmga suharquata). Occasional. Autumn. 



Little Stint {T. minuta). Autumn, 



Dunlin [T. variabilis). Permanent. 



Landrail {Gallinula crex). Summer. 



Spotted Crake {G. porzana). Summer. Arrives about the end of 

 March. In its habits it differs very little from the water rail, but is 

 far more restless and shy. 



