42 Fetch : Notes on Holderncss Birds. 



patch in the middle of" a tuft of grass which meets over the nest 

 and hides the eg^g^s, and there is no ' run ' or path to it ; occa- 

 sionally the nest is lined. The Redshank frequently alig^hts 

 on the ridge of the shed on Saltend, and uses the numerous 

 molehills as posts of observation from which to watch the 

 progress of intruders. The Oystercatcher, numerous on the coast 

 in August and September, and sometimes seen up the river as 

 far as Marfleet, has returned in late years to its former breeding 

 haunts at Spurn, and will, it is hoped, flourish with the Lesser 

 Tern and the Ringed Plover under more efficient protection. 

 The Ringed Plover's nest on Spurn is often lined with small 

 white stones ; it is one of the commonest birds on the Humber 

 mudflats at other times of the year, and its well-known whistle, 

 warning all other birds in the \icinitv, is a constant annoyance 

 to the ornithologist. 



The former monotony of the coast from Hornsea to Withern- 

 sea has been somewhat relieved during the last ten years by the 

 presence of a colony of Cormorants on the wreck of the ' Beacons- 

 field,' which ran ashore at Ringborough in 1887. One mast has 

 been left standing- to warn the fishing cobles, and the Cormorants 

 have nested in safet}" on the cross-trees, there beings fortunately, 

 no means of disturbing them without an expenditure to which 

 even the possession of a local Cormorant's ^^^ could not per- 

 suade the most rabid collector. Sixteen ha\e been seen on the 

 vessel at one time (31st August 1900); with a good glass 

 nestlings mav be disting-uished on the cross-trees, and the 

 young birds are easily identified in August by their white 

 breast and throat. In the winter they return from their fishing 

 grounds on Hornsea Mere or along the coast at sunset, but in 

 August and September practically the whole colony will be found 

 at home shortly after the tide has commenced to flow. Amusing 

 contests for the post of honour on the top of the mast are often 

 witnessed, in which the bird in possession is always compelled 

 to abdicate his position because his opponent attacks him from 

 the rear and glides upwards to alight. This mode of alighting 

 is very characteristic ; when a bird approaches the mast at 

 a higher altitude it gradually descends in narrowing circles 

 and rises to its perch on the final curve. 



In April and May, before the Golden Plover (4th May 1895), 

 Stint, and Curlew have departed to their breeding grounds, the 

 Common Sandpiper and the Whimbrel arrive in the Humber 

 district. There is no record of the breeding of the Stint in 

 Holderness. I saw a pair in summer plumage at Hornsea 



