THE ZOOLOGIST. 
THIRD SERIES. 
Vou. 1.] AL. V,. Lene [No. 7. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT 
AND WALNEY ISLAND. 
By W. A. Durnrorp. 
As a field for ornithological observation, I know no district of 
similar extent so entirely barren as the well-known Lake country. 
Residing within thirty miles of the heart of this district, it may 
be easily imagined that I should lose no opportunity of exploring 
its mountains and valleys, and thus pursuing the study of Natural 
History amidst some of the finest scenery our island can afford. 
The result is, however, most disappointing so far as animal life is 
concerned. During a three days’ walking tour in the early part of 
June last, in the course of which | traversed a distance of about 
sixty miles, chiefly by unfrequented paths, the only birds which 
came under my notice, exclusive of those commoner species which 
seldom seem to wander far from human habitations, were a few pairs 
of Buzzards and Ravens, which 1 am glad to see still hold their 
own amidst the more inaccessible peaks in the neighbourhood of 
the higher mountains; a Merlin caught in a trap; a few Grouse, 
one of which 1 put up on Burnmoor—evidently the mother of a 
brood—succeeded, by feigning lameness, in leading a spaniel 
which accompanied me at least half a mile across the heather ; 
a couple of Ring Ouzels; several Cuckoos; a Heron, which flew 
across Rydal Water, where floated a few Coots and Wild Ducks; 
a pair of Common Sandpipers sitting on the edge of Wastwater ; 
a number of Curlews, which, to judge from their clamour, were 
breeding on the high ground above Ullswater ; and some Gulls, 
chiefly Lesser Blackbacks, which are said to nest on some of the 
islands in Windermere. 
Q2N 
