4908 Tue ZooLocist—May, 1876. 
committed suicide. I suppose the great changes which have taken 
place in the neighbourhood, and the immense increase of lights 
both afloat and ashore since the time that this solitary lighthouse 
cast its rays on the waters of the Irish Channel, may account, at 
least partially, for the difference. 
Turnstone.—During the past winter I have killed several speci- 
mens of Strepsilas interpres on Walney and Foulney Islands. 
Heron.—Whilst on a visit to the lakes last August 1 was glad to 
observe one of these birds fishing on the margin of Rydal Water. 
This seems to disprove the statement made in some of the guide- 
books, that the heronry on the lake has been deserted for several 
years. 
Curlew.—Plentiful on the sand and mud-flats all along the 
coast, and, thanks to their shy and wary habits, not likely to be — 
exterminated at present. On making inquiries of the boatmen who 
ply between Walney Island and the mainland as to the reason of 
the dearth of wild-fowl in the market during the past season, I was 
informed that all the sea-birds bad been shot during the severe 
winter of 1874-5, when any one who chose to take a gun to Walney 
brought strings of birds of all kinds, the hard weather and freezing 
fogs rendering them easy of access. However, my observations 
‘tend to show that curlews, whimbrels, oystercatchers and redshanks 
are as plentiful as ever, though extremely difficult to approach, 
and I have little doubt that another severe winter would produce 
similar results. I found curlews nesting in various localities in 
this neighbourhood last spring, but was not ‘successful in dis- 
covering their eggs, being invariably outwitted by the wonderful 
cunning and sagacity of the old birds. 
Godwit.— Observed a large flock of these birds on the 19th of 
February, on the shores of Walney Island, but was unable to obtain 
a shot at them. They had apparently recently landed on our 
coasts, and were doubtless of the bartailed species. 
Greenshank.—A few single birds observed on each occasion of 
a visit to the estuary of the River Esk up to the 17th of March. 
None seen since that date. 
Woodcock.—Very plentiful in the thick coppices to the north of 
this town, where | fancy they breed in considerable numbers. Last 
spring I several times observed a single bird wending its way to 
the fields about dusk, and two years ago a friend came across 
several young birds in a retired glade. 
