4252 The Zoologist — December, 1874. 



assumed its winter dress, the feathers on each side of its breast 

 being deeply tinged with chestnut. 



Dunlin, — Tolerably plentiful, but in small flocliS. 



Ringed Plover. — Numerous and wild. 



Blackheaded Gull. — One afternoon, when it was blowing half a 

 gale of wind from the south-west, I saw a flock of at least two 

 hundred of these gulls sitting closely packed together on the water 

 in a sheltered bay. They were all in winter plumage. 



Tern. — Only observed a solitary example, and this did not come 

 near enough to make out satisfactorily, although I have no doubt, 

 from its size and general appearance, it was Sterna minuta. 



Kingfisher. — I was agreeably surprised at seeing six or seven 

 of these beautiful birds one afternoon, as I imagined they had all 

 been destroyed in this neighbourhood for ladies' hats, banner- 

 screens, &c. 



Common Sandpiper. — Many small flocks feeding in the muddy 

 drains among the salt-marshes. 



Redshank. — Only a single example seen. In former years this 

 used to be one of our most common autumnal visitors. 



Common Mallard. — Saw a flock of eight early one morning, 

 and should probably have obtained a shot at them, only a passing 

 train put them up. 



Teal. — Sailed within shot of two, as they were sitting on the 

 water, and knocked one down as they rose. The other bird 

 hovered for a few moments above its fallen companion before it 

 flew away. 



Wheatear. — These birds were far more plentiful than they were 

 in the spring. 



Rock Pipit. — Many noticed feeding amongst marine rejecfa- 

 menia at high-water mark. 



Peregrine Falcon. — One morning early I saw a fine old male 

 sitting on the beach, busily engaged in devouring a bird. It 

 allowed me to approach within an easy shot before it took wing, 

 bearing its prey away with it, but I did not fire at it, as I have no 

 wish to assist in exterminating such a noble species. I could not 

 discern what bird it was feeding on, as in clutching it to fly off 

 with, it picked up a large piece of sea-weed, which completely hid 

 its victim. It did not fly very far, but soon pitched again and 

 went on with its meal. 1 fear, from its tameness, it will soon fall 

 to the gun of some prowling bird-killer. 



