272 Booth: The Birds, etc., of Walney Island. 
distance, and amidst such a babel of noises. Possibly some future 
visitor will keep a look out for this species. 
The Shelduck.—This conspicuous and distinctive species 
was very numerous, and no doubt many females were sitting in 
the rabbits’ burrows in the sand dunes. Several stray birds were 
noted on our approach, which leisurely betook themselves to 
the edge of the water during our visit. 
The Ringed Plover.—Several pairs frequented the shingle, 
chiefly on that portion occupied by the Lesser Terns. Their 
characteristic vagaries of nesting were noticed. Birds quite a 
week old, and also incompleted clutches of fresh eggs, were 
seen. 
The Oystercatcher.—These birds were exceedingly 
numerous, more so than in any other locality I have visited 
during the breeding season. They had evidently only just 
commenced to nest, as most of their chosen nesting places only 
contained one or two eggs. At one place three lots of eggs 
were noted in the space of a few square yards. 
The Stock-Dove.—There were several stray Stock-Doves, 
and in one case four birds were seen flying together. They 
evidently were nesting in the disused rabbit burrows. 
During our short stay upon the island, our time was so much 
occupied with the maritime species that we had but little oppor- 
tunity of noticing the passerine birds. The great number of 
skylarks present, however, was very noticeable, and once when 
the sun broke through the damp atmosphere, the air was full of 
their song. In spite of the exceptionally wet season, a nest 
containing three eggs was seen in a hole quite six inches below 
the surface. Many pairs of Wheatears and Meadow Pipits 
were seen, and also, at least, one pair of Rock Pipits. 
Mr. J. Beanland writes :—‘‘ The visit to Walney being a 
purely ornithological one, no systematic effort was made to 
ascertain what plants were growing, and those noted were 
casually dotted down by the botanists as interesting from the 
point of contrast that one naturally makes from an inland 
district with the maritime flora. The following list was made 
as the plants were seen in walking to and from the gullery :— 
Glaucium flavum. | Draba verna. 
Plantago coronopus. | Evodium cicutarium. 
Silene maritima. | Crambe maritima. 
Cochlearia danica. | Arenaria peploides. 
| 
Viola sylvatica. Mertensia maritima. 
Naturalist, 
