NOTES FROM YORKSHIRE. 175 



nine Whimbrels were noted. But it was not until the 27th that 

 the great rush from the south took place, when thousands of 

 waders were to be seen. 



The Dotterel when on its way north appears to be an 

 extremely stupid bird. For some years past a party of them 

 have repaired annually, in May, to an identical field on the 

 Holderness coast, where they linger for about a fortnight, during 

 which period they appear to know no fear, and should a local 

 gunner appear upon the scene the lot fall an easy bag. 



In May a nest and eggs of the Shoveller were found by a 

 friend of mine on an extensive tract of heath in the vicinity of 

 the coast. This is, I believe, the first undoubted record of the 

 breeding of this species in Yorkshire. 



Waders from their northern breeding haunts made their 

 appearance on the coast early. A Knot, in summer dress, was 

 killed under the Spurn telegraph-wire on July 23rd. Three 

 Grey Plovers, an immense flock of Dunlins, and several Whim- 

 brels were observed on the 25th. The first Sanderlings were 

 seen on August 15th. 



The year 1880 witnessed the destruction, by enclosure, of 

 Eiccall Common — a locality which, until the commencement of 

 the present century, could claim the Ruff among its annual 

 breeding birds, and since those palmy days has been the resort 

 of Redshanks, Black-headed Gulls, Teal and other Ducks ; but, 

 alas ! it has had its day, and Strensall, like it, is soon to follow 

 suit. But while we are thus banishing certain species from old 

 haunts, it is a pleasure to hail the return of others to former 

 ones. Thus the Sheldrake, once not uncommon on the Holder- 

 ness coast, has returned, and this year reared her young in 

 safety ; a brood of six were seen to issue from a rabbits' burrow, 

 and on digging out the nest two addled eggs were found. Now 

 that Spurn is so very strictly preserved, it is to be hoped that 

 this species may become numerous there. This year has also 

 seen the return of the Cormorants to the Flamborough cliffs, 

 from which they were driven by the murderous times preceding 

 the Sea-Birds Act. 



An immature Black Tern was shot at Easington on the 28th 

 August. This species, in the inconspicuous plumage of im- 

 maturity, is probably much overlooked ; at all events it is not 

 often reported. Redstarts and Wheatears swarmed on our coast- 



