OF ^^0RTSr]!^IBEEL.4L^'D AJfB DrEHAM. 11? 



in 1850-52— 53, but uever met with the Pigmy Curlew there in 

 the breeding season. I found the nest of the Shoveller, Water 

 Eail, Redshank, and Dunlin; and would suggest that Mr. Grey's 

 correspondent has probably mistaken the eggs of the last for 

 those of the Pigmy Curlew. 



24. DtJXLiJf. P. crN-cLirs, Linnmis. 



Tringa variaMUs, Bewick, Hist. Biit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 75, 



77. 



„ ,, Yan-ell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, III., 81. 



A resident, and the commonest of our Sandpipers. It assem- 

 bles in large flocks on the coast in autumn, when its numbers 

 are augmented by migrants from other countries. 



This pretty species bred regularly at Prestwick Car, where, 

 in a single day in April, 1855, I found four nests. "When dis- 

 turbed from its eggs it does not more far away, but keeps running 

 about, making at intervals a curious purring noise. 



25. Pectoral San^dpiper. P. macttlata, [Vieillot.) 

 Tringa pedor all ft, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, III., 77. 

 Pclidna mamlata, Degland et Gerbe, II., 200. 



A very casual and rare visitant. The only authenticated indi- 

 ^idual that has occurred in the district was shot on Whitley Sands, 

 on the 27th of June, 1853, by Mr. Eobt. Duncan, and is now in 

 the possession of Mr. C. M. Adamson ; it is in summer plumage. 

 Notice of this capture appeared in the "Zoologist," 1855, p. 4808. 



A specimen in my possession, presented to me by Mr. Henry 

 Gromall, of Bishop Auckland, was said by him to have been shot 

 near that town. 



In Harting's "Handbook of British Birds," p. 141, is men- 

 tioned the occurrence of one "on the ^Northumberland coast, shot 

 by Mr. W. Proctor, of Durham; hitherto unrecorded." 



Mr. Proctor, in a letter dated June 25, 1873, says, "I do not 

 recollect ever shooting one. A good many years ago a person 

 sent to mc several birds to stuff for him, which had been shot 



