4816 THE ZooLocist—Markcu, 1876. 
and had part of its first coat on.” This is the only instance |] 
know of the woodcock breeding in this neighbourhood, but Mr. 
Hancock says, in his ‘ Catalogue,’ that a nest with four eggs were 
taken at Medomsley, on the Derwent, in April, 1872; and in the 
same year three broods were found in Chopwell Woods, in the 
valley of the Derwent; and that several other nests have occurred 
in Northumberland and Durham, adding that “ between the years 
1868 and 1872, seven nests of the woodcock were found on the 
banks of the Tyne, between Dilston and Prudhoe, in April and 
May.” Although the Tyne seems to be a favourite locality, there 
are no doubt many other scattered instances unknown or unrecorded 
in both counties. 
August. 
Lesser Blackbacked Gull.—Plentiful on the coast. 
Merlin.—-On the 11th a young female was taken in a pole trap 
on the sea banks. 1 was for a long time rather puzzled with this 
specimen on account of its sporting a dark brown moustache or 
whisker, and having its eyes encircled with black, as iu the young 
female redfooted falcon. Its general markings and dimensions, 
however, are certainly those of a merlin; and Dr. Tristram, to whom 
1 have shown the bird agrees with me in this decision, but says it 
might be easily mistaken for a young hobby. 
Chiffchaff and Willow Wren.—On the 16th I heard the notes 
of the chiffchaff close to my window: it was a young bird. Next 
day I heard the song of the willow wren; also a young bird. On 
the 27th I again heard the song of the willow wren. 
Teal.—On the 31st large flocks of teal appeared on the coast, 
chiefly young birds. A young female I obtained had the breast 
so red as to have the appearance of being stained with blood; 
indeed it was not till 1 had sponged it with hartshorn that I could 
decide it was not, and it was only the gloss and smoothness of the 
feathers to the touch that saved it from being plucked. 
SEPTEMBER. 
Woodcock.—On the 11th I saw a woodcock in the Dene; ano- 
ther on the 14th, but it might have been the same bird: this or 
these were most likely home-bred birds, as I have little doubt the 
majority of “early woodcocks” recorded from time to time are 
bred in the district where they are seen, but generally escape 
obscryation until covert shooting commences. 
