3410 The Zoologist — February, 1873. 



but the greater part seem to leave us for the sea-coast for a few months after 

 the breeding season, returning, however, before winter, frequenting the large 

 open pasture-fields which have been reclaimed from the moor. Should the 

 •winter prove very severe they seem again to return to the sea-coast, where 

 they remain until it becomes milder, when they are again to be found 

 found with us. 



Common Sandpiper. — Found several nests of this little bird this summer. 



Dipper. — A pair of these birds have built ever since I can remember 

 under the arch of a bridge over a trout-stream near the house, always 

 bringing up two broods during the year. The first nest is completed rather 

 early : this year it contained an egg on the 14th of March. No sooner are 

 the first batch ready to fly than the nest is again repaired preparatory to 

 another brood. A favourite as this little bird is with every one, I am 

 afraid it is a horrid enemy to the trout-spawn. 



Merlin. — Breeds regularly on the moors. In May my father found a 

 nest containing four eggs. The courage of this little bird is well known ; 

 it will attack a full-sized grouse, though a bird twice its size, one of these 

 birds and a merlin having been killed by the same shot a few days since. 

 It is known in this country as the " little blue hawk." 



Kite. — One seen in August. A few years ago these fine birds were 

 undoubtedly not uncommon in this country, but the constant persecution 

 by gamekeepers, &c., has so diminished its numbers that it is now looked 

 upon as only an occasional visitor. 



Pied Flycatcher. — I found two nests of this bird this summer. As I have 

 before remarked in the ' Zoologist,' it is a regular summer visitor to us, but 

 this year it did not seem as plentiful as usual. 



Gray Phalarope. — One shot in August by a gentleman out grouse- 

 shooting ; it got up out of the heather. There was no water near. 



Grouse. — A handsome variety of this bird was shot by a gentleman near 

 here in September ; the general colour was a light buff, but the markings of 

 the feathers were distinctly to be seen in a darker colour. 



Green Sandpiper. — One shot by a gentleman near here in October; 

 another observed by myself during the same month. 



Siskin.— On the Gth of August I noticed a flock of these birds. They 

 are regular winter visitors to this country, but I never remember to have 

 seen them on so early a date : the flock consisted of about twenty birds, 

 almost all young ones of the year. Is it possible that they could have bred 

 with us ? 



Bramhlings. — At the beginning of the month (November) mountain finches 

 were extremely numerous, frequenting the stubble-fields in considerable 

 numbers. 



Woodcocks. — These birds seem pretty numerous this season. Although 

 I have not heard of any large bags having been made, there seems to be a 



