2464 The Zoologist — February, 1871. 



closely connected with these nocturnal wanderings of birds, and 

 yet more so with the migratory movements of plovers, which I have 

 noticed in the proper place : it refers to the hosts of dunlins 

 passing over the city of Norwich on the 18th of August, 1869. 

 Mr, Stevenson thus describes the event : — 



" I was awakened about two o'clock iu the morning by tbe noise of birds 

 apparently pursuing a direct course over tbe house-tops from east to west. 

 On opening ray window tbe sky looked bright and starlight, not dark and 

 stormy as is usually tbe case on such occasious, and the flight at no great 

 elevation was stiU passing, altbougb, as was soon apparent, the rear-guard 

 was close at band. I remember being aware of some disturbing sound, 

 before I became sufficiently aroused to detect the cause, and can therefore 

 form no correct idea of tbe time occupied by this clamorous host in passing 

 over my bouse and garden. To tbe westward as far as the ear could detect 

 their cries, myriads of small Tringae were filling tbe air with their incessant 

 whistlings, and tbe impression on my mind, at tbe time was that tbe old 

 birds were calling to keep the young ones together, and that tbe latter, 

 answering in low murmuring notes, occasioned tbe confused sound which in 

 a remarkable manner marked tbe passage of these migi-ants. Now and then 

 I detected tbe cry of a redshank, but always singly and apart from tbe main 

 body, accompanying but not joining their forces ; in like manner, apart from 

 the rest, I could dibtiuguish stray dunlins by their notes, as if passing to and 

 fro along their ranks, perhaps acting as aides-de-camps to this great feathered 

 army."— P. 378. 



And here 1 lay down a volume that has afforded me infinite 

 pleasure and instruction, and one which I can most cordially 

 commend to the perusal of every ornithologist. But I cannot con- 

 clude without acknowledging my profound obligation to the author 

 for the uniformly courteous manner in which he has spoken of the 

 * Zoologist,' and the handsome way in which he has acknowledged 

 extracts from its pages. Not only to myself and to those who 

 work with me does he give full credit for every record utilized or 

 passage quoted, but in emphatic and graceful language he acknow- 

 ledges the obligation. He handsomely avows, because he deeply 

 feels, the inestimable value of such an organ for the preservation 

 and promulgation of scientific facts, and his just reward will be the 

 high estimation in which his labours will ever be regarded by the 

 lovers of truth. 



Edw.\rd Newman. 



