138 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



arriving in April and leaving again in August. A few i^airs of 

 the Dunlin, Trinr/a alpina, are found breeding on some of the 

 higher moors. They generally arrive in April and leave early 

 in autumn. 



The Woodcock, Scolopax rusticula, has been known to breed 

 on the Ellerton Estate, and I have no doubt but that it breeds 

 here and there throughout the district. IMost of those, however, 

 which we have here in winter are immigrants from Scandinavia. 

 The Common Snipe is abundant and resident, breeding in fair 

 numbers on most marshy grounds ; while the Jack Snipe is 

 scarce, and only occurs as a winter visitor. 



The Curlew, Numcnius arqiiata, breeds in abundance on all 

 the high moorlands, less commonly on the lower. It retires 

 from its breeding haunts early in August for the coast, where it 

 remains during the winter, returning either in March or early in 

 April. A specimen of the Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia, was 

 shot in one of the early months of 1867 near Eeeth. Herons, 

 Arclea cinerea, often pay a visit to the Swale and other streams, 

 and are frequently observed on the moors. Moorhens and 

 Water Eails are occasionally flushed by anglers along the Swale, 

 but more are found in Weusleydale than in Swaledale. The Coot 

 has been seen on Moss Dam in Swaledale, and is not uncommon 

 near Eichmond. The Landrail is in some seasons a common 

 summer migrant, whilst in others — last 3'ear, for instance — it is 

 just as scarce. 



A tine male of the Spotted Crake, Porzana maniefta, was 

 found dead at Ellerton Priory in September, 1858. Wild Duck 

 and Teal breed in limited numbers on the moors, but are more 

 numerous in winter. The Shoveller, Spatula chipeata, has been 

 obtained at Marske. Wigeon are found in winter, but never in 

 any great abundance. The Pochard is rarely observed, and then 

 only in winter. A Tufted Duck, Fulifiida cristata, was seen on 

 the Swale in November, 1853, and a Goldenej^e, Clangula 

 glaucion, was observed on the Swale near Eichmond in 1855. 

 The Goosander, Fergus merganser, has several times been shot 

 near Eichmond. In 1854 a specimen of the Whooper, Cygnus 

 musicus, was taken near Eichmond. 



Flocks of wild geese are often seen flying over the district in 

 winter, but I have never been able to make out the species. The 

 Common Tern occasionally visits us, generally before a severe 



