. 
120 NELSON : ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM REDCAR. 
cliffs near Staithes. The Herring Gulls (Z. avgenfatus) are as numerous 
as ever between Staithes and Kettleness. Several Stock Doves 
(Columba enas) were nesting at the latter place. 
Jury. <A few flocks of Whimbrels (Vumenius phaeopus) appeared ; 
these birds are always the first of the autumn immigrants to visit us. 
Aucust. Two Grey Plovers (Sguatarola helvetica), two Pigmy 
Curlews (7ringa subarquata), and a Knot (Z-° canutus), all in perfect 
summer plumage, were obtained at the Tees mouth early in this 
month. 8th.—The first Richardson’s Skua (Stercorarius crepidatus), 
an immature specimen, was shot in Tees Bay. 12th.—I observe 
a Sandwich Tern (Sterna cantiaca), and a Lesser Tern (.S. minuta) 
at the Tees. Shore Birds, viz. :—Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa 
lapponica), Redshanks (TZotanus calidris), Turnstones (Strepsilas 
interpres), Ovyster-catchers (Hematopus ostralegus), Sanderlings 
(Calidris arenaria), and Dunlins ( 7ringa a/pina), were all represented, 
but only in small flocks. An immense flight of Pigmy Curlews, 
most unusual for this district, occurred this month. Small parties 
appear at irregular intervals, and three or four examples may be taken 
in a season, but, on this occasion, their numbers far exceeded any- 
thing in my experience. On the 26th, twenty-one were killed, eleven 
at one shot ; and, from that date to the 25th September, I saw no 
less than one hundred and ten which were shot at or near the Tees. 
On their first arrival they were in flocks by themselves, and generally 
kept to the salt-marshes, but, after a few days, they associated with 
Dunlins and other small waders ; those which were procured during 
the latter half of September were all shot by firing into mixed flocks 
of shore birds. The last I noticed were on the sands on the 25th 
September, nor did I afterwards hear of any others being observed. 
29th.—I saw five Lesser Terns at the Tees mouth, and one, an 
immature example, was shot. 
SEPTEMBER. 5th.—The first of the ordinary autumn contingent 
of Grey Plovers, a flock of six, passed to the N.W. while I was off 
in a boat about two miles N.E. of Redcar. 8th.—About a dozen 
young Gannets (Su/a bassana) were in the bay, and remained for a 
week or two, fishing industriously amongst the herrings and sprats. 
toth.—A flight of Grey Plovers, Dunlins, Sanderlings, and a few 
Godwits arrived at the Tees. 11th.—Great flocks of Godwits and 
Knots were on the Tees sands, evidently newly arrived. I made 
good bags of both species. 16th.—Moderate wind from E. A great 
many Ducks passed to the N.W. A Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) 
flew up the sands near the fishing cobles, early in the morning. 
zoth.—A great passage of Ducks took place. 23rd.—At sea 
I observed eight Red-throated Divers (Colymbus septentrionalis). 
Naturalist, 
