The i^ooLOGisT — July, 1871. 2655 



next ten days there appeared to be a regular arrival and departure 

 of whimbrel to some more northern station than the Humber, At 

 tlie end of the first week in May I found them in flocks of from 

 fifty to seventy in every part of the norlh-east marshes. They left 

 between the 17th and 23rd of May, the wind remaining N. to N.E. 

 during this period, and excessively cold. 



Knot. — May 13th. There have been several flocks on the muds 

 during the last week. In one small flock of forty-five, which 1 had 

 this morning a most favourable opportunity of inspecting, three 

 only were in full summer plumage, having the bay under parts; 

 some of the others were in the transition state, but the greater part 

 were still in the winter dress. 



Wild Duck.— Ma.y 23rd. A nest of young wild ducks in our 

 marshes came off" about the 17lh of May. The old mallard, who 

 was on the fore-shore to-day (as seen through the glass), is still in 

 brilliant plumage, not exhibiting the slightest indications of the 

 seasonal change. 



Grai/ Plover.— A few seqn on the 25th of April : gradually kept 

 increasing up to the end of the first week in May, when they 

 appeared to reach their maximum. The flock contains many fine 

 birds in full breeding dress. I saw from forty to fifty on the flats 

 as late as the 27th of May, and of these several show no signs 

 whatever, as far as I can see, of putting on the nuptial attire. The 

 largest and finest birds are now all in full plumage. Considering 

 the very backward state of the plumage in this species, as well as 

 in the knot and godwit, at the time they leave our coasts (the end 

 of May), it is very probable that many never entirely, or perhaps 

 not at all, assume the breeding plumage, and the complete change 

 is confined to the oldest birds, the young birds of these species of 

 the previous year not completing the mature dress till the third 

 summer. On the 31st of May, excepting a few dunlins and ringed 

 plovers, our shore birds had taken their departure. 



With somewhat of a feeling of sadness I replace my telescope in 

 its case. It is the regret that one naturally feels at relinquishing 

 for a time a pursuit that has been a source of much pleasure and 

 instruction; for I know that now for many weeks to come this 

 fore-shore, so recently bright with much of life and beauty, will 

 have lost its great charm, and relapse into a desolate and silent 

 waste, reeking and steaming under the blaze of the midsummer 

 sun, barren of visible life, unvisited by any shore birds, and scarce 



