4132 The Zoologist — September, 1874. 



Whimbrel. — May 15. I noticed several flocks yesterday feeding 

 on the salt marshes between Barnstaple and Instow, and this after- 

 noon there was a single bird feeding in the middle of our cricket- 

 field at Instow. It was quite tame, and allowed my father and 

 myself to approach within an easy shot before it flew away. I cannot 

 imagine what it was feeding on in such a place, unless it was clever 

 enough to catch the active little sun-beetles (Amarce), which were 

 running about in some numbers over the smooth turf When we 

 returned, half an hour afterwards, the bird was again in the same 

 place, so it seemed to be a favourite feeding-ground. These birds 

 are evidently perfectly aware of the new Act, for they are much 

 tamer now than they used to be in former years, and may often be 

 seen feeding close below our sea-wall while people are constantly 

 passing above them. My father tells me that a few days since he 

 observed three or four, within ten yards of the wall, busily engaged 

 probing the soft ooze, and that he clapped his hands several times 

 before they flew away. 



Common Sandpiper. — May 15. Saw one of these birds to-day 

 on the beach near the cricket-field, and my father tells me that he 

 has on several occasions lately seen a pair feeding by the edge of 

 a brackish pool near this spot. I can scarcely believe, however, 

 that they are breeding anywhere close at hand, as, so far as 1 know, 

 in this county they always nest by the margin of some fresh-water 

 stream, generally on or near the moors. 



Wheatears. — May 18. These birds appear to be remarkably 

 scarce in their old favourite haunts, — Instow and Northam sand- 

 hills, — for 1 have not seen more than a dozen during the past week. 

 They may, however, be breeding among the stone walls which 

 enclose many of the neighbouring fields. 



Cuckoo. — May 18. A friend of mine has just informed me that 

 he heard one of these birds in full cry between twelve and one 

 o'clock this morning. He got out of bed and opened the window. 

 There was a clear sky and the stars were shining brightly, but still 

 it was tolerably dark, as there was no moon. Why should not 

 birds suff"er from indigestion and have troubled dreams, which 

 make them, seemingly to us, cry in an unnatural manner and at an 

 unusual time? Dogs, as every one knows, constantly dream and 

 bark and growl during sleep. 



Dunlin. — May 18. Saw a pair of these birds, in full summer plu- 

 mage, feeding by the edge of a muddy pool on Northam Burrows. 



