The Zoologist— Octobek, 1870. 2335 



Ornithological Notes from North Lincolnshire. 



By John Cordeaux, Esq. 



(Continued from S. S. 2089.) 



The Humber Mud-flats in August. 

 The various shore birds frequenting this coast are returning much 

 earlier than is usual. This I observed was also the case in the dry 

 summers of 1864 and 1868, hot and forward seasons being invariably 

 favourable to the early nesting and growth of the young of our 

 northern migratories. As early as the jirst week in the month small 

 flocks of knot appeared on the coast, followed later by several other 

 species. The ingathering of our splendid harvest having for some 

 weeks, early and late, fully occupied me, left no time for Ornithology : 

 frequently, however, when returning late in the evening from my 

 marsh farm, I have recognized the familiar call-notes of the shore 

 birds, or marked their serried ranks as they dash and wheel in rapid 

 flight over the fore-shore, and have been astonished at their number 

 and early appearance, for never since I have known these flats have I 

 seen so many and various flocks so early in the season. 



This afternoon (August 29th), having a iQVf hours to spare, with my 

 telescope, — a tried and trusted companion in many a coast ramble, — 

 I took the nearest road to the shore, with the determination of giving 

 up the remainder of the day to birds, and birds only. The result of 

 the afternoon's walk was so satisfactory, and I may add unexpected, 

 that I think a detailed account may perhaps interest the readers of the 

 ' Zoologist.' 



Near the Humber embankment T had to cross a field of summer- 

 eaten clover, from which the sheep had a i^w days been removed. 

 It was very bare, little but the clover roots remaining. In this field 

 were a mixed flock of dunlin and ringed dotterel. My glass shows 

 me that they are mostly at rest : some stand with the head turned back 

 over the shoulder; others, in the same position, nestle close to the 

 ground ; they all have their front towards the wind: a {^y( bright and 

 pretty ringed dotterel are walking leisurely to and fro, stopping occa- 

 sionally to pick up something from the ground ; but feeding at present 

 is evidently not their object : with these dotterel are two sanderlings, 

 distinguishable from the dunlins by their much lighter colour and 

 short beak. Mixed indiscriminately amongst the flocks are several 

 starlings, and, oddly enough, these habitual day-feeders had followed 

 the example of the waders, and were taking an afternoon nap. 



