104 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Waterhen, Gallinida chloropus, L. — Not uncommon by the 

 Tyne ; occasional by burnsides. A few pairs breed every year 

 at the mill-dam at Eiding Mill. 



Pratincole, Glareola pmtincola, L. — I may here mention that 

 a specimen of this bird was killed near Stanhope on July 14, 



1876. For this piece of information I am indebted to the 

 Brothers Tinkler, the Stanhope birdstuffers. 



Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis, L.— I have never noticed 

 or heard of this bird on the higher ground, but flocks often pass 

 a few days in the grass-fields near the river on their way to and 

 from the fells at migration times. On March 24, 1879, 1 watched 

 for some time a flock of about fifty near Broomhaugh, some of 

 which ran within twenty yards of where I was concealed. Early 

 as it was, about half of them had the full black breast of summer, 

 whilst the rest showed no sign of change whatever ; I could not 

 perceive that one was in a transition state of plumage. 



Grey Plover, Sqnatarola helvetica, L. — An accidental visitor. 

 On Oct. 27, 1877, five Grey Plovers crossed Broomley Fell, where 

 I was shooting; they passed close enough to where I was for me 

 to see distinctly the colour of the axillaries. 



Lapwing, Vanellus vidgaris, Bechst. — A common summer 

 visitor, appearing as early as Feb. 12 (1878\ and breeding in all 

 suitable places. 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticida, L. — A resident, breeding not 

 uncommonly in all suitable woods near Riding Mill, but their 

 numbers are largely reinforced at the time of the autumn migra- 

 tion. I have known of a nest or two every year since 1869. I 

 cannot think that the Woodcocks leave the neighbourhood as 

 soon as the young are able to fly, according to the opinion of 

 Mr. St. John ; and the following records, which I collected with 

 a view to satisfy myself on this point, are my grounds for the 

 behef: — 1876, Aug. 20, one seen at Piiding Mill by myself. 



1877, Aug. 9, one seen at Hcaley by William James, my keeper ; 

 Sept. 8, one by myself at Riding Mill ; Sept. 20, one at Broomley 

 by keeper of Mr. George Fenwick ; Oct. 23, one, and one next 

 day, at Healey by myself. 1878, May 20, one near Healey, with 

 three young ones, by my keeper ; June 19, five, four of them 

 young ones, near Dipton House, by Mr. Straker's coachman ; 

 July 21, two, at Healey, by myself; Aug. 29, one, near Riding Mill, 

 by myself. 1883, July 5, three at dusk, Riding Mill, by myself. 



