310 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



had been enlarged, but originally, and as made by the birds, they were 

 almost circular, with a diameter of not more than two inches. The former 

 nest had eggs, and the latter young ones ; there were six of each. The 

 nests were mere layers of dead leaves and flakes of bark, and botb eggs and 

 young were within easy reach of the hand. A few Sand Martins had nests 

 in one of the banks. — Henry Benson (Farncombe Rectory, Godalming). 



Notes on Birds in Lancashire. — On the 8th and 9th of May I had 

 the satisfaction of meeting with two " trips" of Dotterels, after a fruitless 

 search of some years in many parts of the country. On. May 7th I was 

 informed that a "trip" of fifteen had been seen, and on May 8th, in the 

 same locality, I met with a " trip " of nine, in various stages of plumage, from 

 the mature bird to that of a uniform shade of colour, which I consider as 

 that of the bird of the preceding year. On May 9th the third " trip" was 

 seen, which consisted of three individuals only. On May 11th I walked 

 along shore from Lytham to Naze, and saw large numbers of Ringed 

 Plovers and Dunlins in flocks, to which may be added a small flock of 

 Turnstones. On May 12th, in a large sward-field between the sand-hills 

 and the road, near South Shore, Blackpool, were four Whimbrels, busily 

 feeding, most probably on some of the smaller Helices common to sandy- 

 land. Notwithstanding the increase of population, a few pairs of Ringed 

 Plovers still breed near St. Anne's and Lytham. From a place of conceal- 

 ment near Banks, on May 14th, I was enabled to watch through my 

 binoculars four Turnstones that were in company with other shore-birds, 

 and as they were driven within thirty yards by the influx of the tide J had 

 ample opportunity to observe their actions and plumage ; some were very 

 handsome, having acquired their perfect summer dress. I may here remark 

 that I have noticed on the scapular feathers of this species metallic 

 reflections of a greenish tint, to which I have never seen any allusion 

 made iu any work on Ornithology ; this was very noticeable in two 

 specimens obtained at Spurn in the third week of May. Crossed the Wyre 

 from Fleetwood to Knot-End, on May 15th, and proceeded over the 

 extensive stretch of sand marked on the map as " Bernard's Wharf," 

 where I met with a flock of about twenty Sauderlings; those that 

 would allow of sufficiently near approach appeared to be in full nuptial 

 livery, but were very wild. Two pairs of that beautiful little bird, the 

 Lesser Tern, were fishing at the mouth of a small stream that runs over 

 the sand from Pilling to join the Lune, aud had most likely come across 

 the bay from the colony near Walney. On returning to Knot-End three 

 Cuckoos were seen together — two, evidently males, paying court to a female. 

 Dunlins were very numerous here, — as indeed they were on all parts of 

 the coast of Lancashire suitable to their habits, — more particularly near 

 Crossens, on the Ribble estuary, where thousands could be seen at the 

 same time. Near that place I noticed a very light-coloured bird, presumably 



