3612 The Zoologist — July, 1873. 



generally, though not sportsmen, were "short-sighted" in another sense. 

 I must confess that they did not foresee by some four or five months, that 

 a Peeress of the realm would indite a sensational letter to 'The Times' 

 complaining that nightingales would rather obey their migratory impulse 

 than stop in her garden, or that a sentimental Member of the Commons 

 would be so moved thereby as to persuade an almost deserted House to 

 change a well-considered, reasonable and definite proposal — a proposal 

 which so far as it went was " thorough " — into one far wilder than the wild 

 birds he wished to protect. The members of the Close-Time Committee 

 are not accountable for this foUy, but I am sure its authors would repudiate 

 the notion of being called " sportsmen," and no one who has read the Act 

 could accuse them of being " ornithologists" of any time. — Alfred Newton; 

 Magdalene College, Cambridge, June 2, 1873. 



Ornithological Notes from Lancasliirc. — To avoid confusion I have placed 

 a "/)." at the end of all my notes: the others are by the Baron A. von 

 Hiigel. — H. Durnford. 



April, 1873. 



Lapwing. — Observed a large flock flying north on the 18th of March; 

 several had nested about Crosby by the 1st of April. — D. Keturned to 

 their breeding-quarters near Stonyhurst on the 9th of March, and a nest 

 •with two eggs was found on the 17th. 



Dunlin Sandpiper. — Some seen on the 8th were still in full winter 

 plumage ; but out of a flock of about a hundred birds observed on the 26th 

 most had acquired their black breasts. — P. 



Common Sandpiper. — Arrived at their breeding-quarters along the Ribble 

 and Hodder on the ICth. 



Sand Martin and Swallow. — Sand martins returned on the 17th, and 

 swallows on the following day. 



Oolden Plover. — A small flock of seven flying northward, on the 19th, 

 made a stay of a day or two on some low meadows near Formby ; they were 

 in nearly full summer dress. — D. 



Stock Dove, Wheatear, Sky Lark, rfc— April 20. These birds are all 

 now engaged with their nesl^ among the sand-hills between Liverpool and 

 Southport. On the 26th I found two young stock doves, about a week old, 

 in an old rabbit-burrow ; also a nest of the sky lark and titlark, and two of 

 the pied wagUiil ; the latter invariably nest here on the ground, generally 

 close to one of the numerous pools under the shelter of some over- 

 hanging tuft of grass. I was unsuccessful in my search for the wheat- 

 ear's nest, though they had undoubtedly laid, as the males were alone_ 

 visible. — D. 



Fieldfare. — Last seen on the 20th of April near Stonyhurst; and on the 

 2nd near Crosby. — D. 



