84 WHITLOCK: NORTHUMBERLAND BIRD-NOTES. 
‘Field,’ he mentions the Dunlin (Z7inga alpina) as a bird likely to 
be found breeding in or near the Cheviots. I am pleased to say 
I met with three pairs and found two unfinished nests, from one of 
which the female ran with uplifted wings. Another bird I was rather 
surprised to meet with was a single specimen of the Oystercatcher 
(Hematopus ostralegus), which rose from a large bank of shingle 
It was doubtless an accidental visitor from the coast. Common 
Sandpipers (Zringotdes hypoleucos) were very numerous and breeding 
early. I noticed that in laying they often took an interval of rest 
before the full clutch was completed. It is, I believe, generally 
— an egg is laid every twenty-four hour: 
mongst the smaller birds the Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus 
sibilatrix), Coal Tit (Parus ater),and Redstart (Ruticilla phenicurus) 
were fairly common. On the other hand, the Pied Wagtail (JZotacilla 
lugubris) and Grey Wagtail (AZ. medanope) were much less numerous 
than in 1886; the latter, I am sorry to say, was quite scarce. The 
Dipper iCianies aguaticus), too, had decreased in numbers, no doubt 
owing to the severity of recent winters. The Pied Flycatcher 
(Muscicapa atricapilla) is still represented by a single pair. It is 
remarkable that they do not increase, as they are rarely molested. 
I saw a single individual of Ray’s Wagtail (MZodacilla ratt) at 
Alwinton, and close at hand I nearly trod on a Corn Crake (Crex 
pratensis). The latter species was very plentiful, and as the grass 
was short I had frequent opportunities of observing their habits. 
On one occasion I witnessed a desperate fight between two rival 
males, the female standing near, calmly looking on. 
I was pleased to see young Ravens (Corvus corax) in a nest, 
nearly able to fly. I have no doubt they would get off a few days _ 
later. Ornithologists will learn with pleasure that a large landowner 
in the neighbourhood has forbidden the destruction of Kestrels, and 
as the district abounds with nesting-sites this species should soon 
become common. 
A keeper related a curious anecdote respecting a pair of Sparrow 
Hawks (Accipiter nisus) which he had found nesting in a wood. He 
first shot at the female, but she escaped with a broken leg and flew 
away, as he thought, to die. In the meantime the male procured 
a fresh mate, but she was soon shot, and he himself shared a similar 
fate the same day. A day or two later the keeper passed the tree 
containing the nest, and to his great surprise off flew the wounded 
female. He was too astonished to shoot, so that, I am glad to say, 
she — escaped, as she did not afterwards return to her eggs. 
on the moors near Harbottle one evening, I came across 
a family of four newly-hatched Golden Plovers (Charadrius stuvialis). 
Naturalist, 
