200 scolopacum;. 



Inch, Line. 

 Length of hind toe and nail ....... 8 



Tibia bare far ...... j ... — 11 



Another bird, being weighed, was 15 oz. 



Over Great Britain generally, as well as Ireland, the whimbrel 

 moves northward on its vernal migration, in large flocks. -It 

 is found in summer extensively throughout the most northern 

 parts of Europe. In the Orkney Islands, it is said to breed 

 as commonly as the curlew; but to remain no longer than 

 is necessary to rear its young.* It was seen in great numbers in 

 many places along the coast of Norway, but especially about 

 Trondjeim (Drontheim), during the summer of 1843, by my late 

 friend, Mr. G. Matthews, to whom and his companions it proved 

 annoying by enticing the dogs away when grouse were sought for. 



THE SPOTTED REDSHANK. 



Dusky Sandpiper. 



Totanus fuscus, Linn, (sp.) 

 Scolqpax fusca, „ 



Is an extremely rare visitant. 



The following notice of a single individual contains all that can 

 be positively stated of tins species as an Irish bird. A brief com- 

 munication respecting it was made to the first volume of the ' An- 

 nals of Natural History ' (p. 157). 



When a very young sportsman, and out shooting in Holywood 

 rabbit-warren, bordering Belfast Bay, on the morning of the 22nd 

 of August, 1823, I perceived at a distance a solitary bird, whose 

 call resembled that of the redshank, but was somewhat different, 

 winging its way over the. sea towards Belfast. To my surprise 

 and delight, however, the stranger made a sudden turn and 



* Dunn, 'Ornithological Guide to Orkney and Shetland,' p*. 85. 



