THE NORTHUMBERLAND COAST IN SEPTEMBER 1 79 



Next we walked along the fine stretch of open beach which 

 lies in front of the noble Castle of Bamburgh. Presently 

 we came to the ridge of seaweed-clad rocks known as the 

 Islestone. Here we found that the tide was rising fast, 

 and setting rapidly past the end of the ridge. In the broken 

 water formed by the swirl of the tide was a large flock of 

 Eiders. On counting them we found that the flock numbered 

 ninety-one birds, most of them drakes ; though there were 

 three ducks near them, and one or two young birds which 

 might have belonged to either sex. Most of the drakes now 

 wore the full plumage, though a few had patches of sober 

 brown, on back and head showing that they were just emerging 

 from their " eclipse." Among them were two Scoters — smaller 

 in size than the Eiders, and of quite a different shape. Their 

 jet black plumage was only relieved by the yellow on their 

 bills. Both species of duck were busily diving for food. 



Further out to sea a flock of black ducks suddenly took 

 wing ; and, as they flew off, we recognised them to be more 

 Scoters. With them were two which differed from the rest by 

 having a white bar across their wings, which was quite con- 

 spicuous in flight. These two birds were the less common 

 Velvet Scoter. A few moments later a small string of four 

 birds came towards the shore, and we saw distinctly that they 

 were Velvet Scoters. They were of a beautiful jet black 

 colour, with white bars on their wings and white spots near 

 their eyes. The white eye-spots give them a most uncanny 

 look, for in the distance they appear to have exceptionally 

 large white eyes. They alighted in the water not far from the 

 Eiders, but appeared ill at ease, and soon took wing again for 

 the open sea. 



The Islestone rocks are well adapted for watching birds. 

 The bedding of the basalt of which they are composed slopes 

 away to the north, leaving a rocky face to the south, behind 

 which it is possible to stalk the birds feeding nearer the sea. 

 Creeping down under this cover we were able to approach the 

 flocks of small waders, who were busily employed searching 



