The Zoologist — July, 1873. 3613 



Shieldrake. — I observed a pair on the sand-hills on the 20th. These birds, 

 I believe, used to breed here, and would no doubt do so again if only left in 

 peace. — D. 



Ringed Plover. — A nest with eggs was found about the 15th amongst the 

 sand-hills in the neighbourhood of Forinby. 20th. — I observed one standing 

 up to its stomach in a pool, and scattering the water over its back by 

 dipping its head and flapping its wings; it then came out of the water 

 and shook itself vigorously until dry. 26th. — Several pairs now have eggs 

 in the sand-hills, and use various devices to draw the intruder from the 

 neighbourhood of their nests. The keepers, rustics, &c., about here always 

 call these birds " Pew Williams," which evidently has a connection with 

 " Dul willy. "—r>. 



Cuckoo. — First seen and heard on the 26th near Formby. — D. 



Corn Crake. — First heard on the 27th near Waterloo. 



Yellow Wagtail. — Observed one on the 30th near Liverpool. — D. A pair 

 observed on the 25th March along the river Hodder. 



Common Tern. — A local name by which this bird is known about here is 

 "scrag." 



May, 1873. 



Gruillemot. — 1st. A fine adult bird, in breeding-plumage, was washed 

 up on the shore near Waterloo to-day; it had been dead only a few 

 hours. — D. 



Cuckoo. — First heard on the 3rd. 



Dunlin. — 8th. Observed seven flying due north, very high ; fresh north- 

 west wind at the time. — D. 



Corn Crake. — 9th. First heard at 11 p. m. 



Lesser Tern. — 10th. Paid a visit to the Point of Air, Flintshire, a 

 breeding-place of this species ; they had not, however, yet arrived at their 

 nesting-quarters, though I found them there on the 7th of June. — D. 



Swifi. — Observed a great quantity near Flint, hawking over a large sheet 

 of water, on the 15th. — D. First seen on the 12th, and appeared in large 

 numbers the same day. 



Gray Plover. — My brother observed a small party of seven on the mud- 

 flats near Crosby on the 21st ; they were feeding and very tame. — D. 



Blackheaded Gull (locally called " turnock"). — Two pairs have laid in wet 

 places in the sand-hills near Formby this spring, to my knowledge. Two 

 eggs were found on the 21st, which I subsequently secured, and I have seen 

 two more taken about the same time. The inhabitants of the neighbourhood 

 never remember this bird nesting here before. — D. 



Birds attracted hy Lighthouses. — 25th. The lighthouse-keeper at Leasowe, 

 near Hoylake, told me to-day that starlings, blackbirds, thrushes, a few 

 cuckoos, woodcocks and curlews occasionally kill or stun themselves against 

 the light during foggy weather.— -D. 



SECOND SEKIES — VOL. VIII. " 2 N 



