46 PEAKE : THE AVI-FAUNA OF SETTLE AND UPPER RIP>BLESDALE. 



Eudromias morinellus. Dotterel. Used to be sought for on 



the hills, about Whitsuntide, by local anglers, for the sake of 

 their feathers ; but they say none have been shot for more than 

 five years. 



Vanellus vulgaris. Lapwing. Local name ' Tewit.' Abundant. 



Flocks visit the lower grounds in winter, but they return 

 gradually to their breeding-grounds at the end of February. 

 A considerable trade in the eggs is carried on at Settle. Many 

 curious varieties may be seen amongst them. A peculiar 

 variety has a white ground colour, with small black spots, no 

 bigger than a pin's head. Diminutives are less rare than 

 double-yolked eggs. 



Scolopax rusticola. Woodcock. Winter visitant; and 



probably breeds, having been seen in April, June, and 

 September, and is recorded as having nested at Whitewell in 

 Bowland in the 'Birds of Lancashire.' 



Gallinago major. Great Snipe. In Harting's Handbook of 



British Birds it is recorded that two were shot on high ground, 

 Malham, September 6th, 1862. It is probable that it is of 

 occasional occurrence. 



Gallinago ccelestis. Common Snipe. Breeds in abundance. 



In autumn as many as 20 may be flushed together. They 

 are fewer in winter, though I counted 11 together on 

 December 7th. I used to surprise many on muddy spots in 

 the Ribble, in the dry March of 1892, in the day-time, which 

 instead of flying off, crouched and assumed the stock-still 

 position, always lowering the point of the beak to the ground 

 first. 



Limnocryptes gallinula. Jack Snipe. Winter visitant. 



February is the best month for them. 



Tringa alpina. Dunlin. Nests near Malham Tarn, and has 



nested on much lower ground at Lawkland. I have seen one 

 in winter plumage at Malham in March, and in April have come 

 across them singly on Ingleborough and Fountains Fell 

 Besides its ordinary cry of ' prill/ it utters a loud scolding note, 

 reminding one of the Whitethroat's noise, and there is no more 

 charming sound than its nesting-song, if one may call it so, 

 which is a long-continued trill like a fisherman's reel, or a whistle 

 with a pea in it. 



Tringa maritima. Purple Sandpiper. Some were once shot 



on Camm Fell by Mr. T. T. S. Metcalfe, and are in his 

 possession. 



wm 



Natural i> 



