l8o THE NORTHUMBERLAND COAST IN SEPTEMBER 



for food close to the edge of the incoming waves. Here were 

 small groups of Knots, Turnstones, and Dunlins all mixed up 

 together, with an occasional Oyster Catcher, looking quite 

 large compared with its smaller companions. So near did we 

 get to these birds that we were able to study all the smallest 

 details of form and plumage. Here and there was a single 

 Ringed Plover; while on the beach beyond the rocks was 

 quite a flock of these little birds running rapidly over the 

 shining wet sand and daintily picking up tiny morsels of food. 



It is very interesting to notice how many different species 

 of small waders will associate together in one flock. Visiting 

 this spot a few days later we saw a little flock consisting of 

 four Ringed Plovers, two Dunlins (then in full winter dress), 

 and two Little Stints. They ran about together, took wing 

 together, and flew in one little bunch, which turned, twisted 

 and wheeled in the air like a well organised unit. * 



Turning our glasses out to sea we had a splendid view of 

 the Fame Islands. The rocky precipice of the Fame itself 

 crowned by its white lighthouse and other buildings stood 

 out boldly in the bright sunlight. Further north was the 

 whitened Megstone, on which by the aid of our glasses we 

 could see the black Cormorants, many of them standing in 

 their characteristic attitude with wings a-stretch to the breeze. 

 Occasionally we would see one of them fly off across the 

 waves to its fishing grounds. At times the long neck of a 

 Cormorant would pop out of the sea close at hand, and dis- 

 appear again almost immediately as it dived below. It is 

 quite surprising the long time for which they will stay under 

 water. When alarmed the Cormorant will swim very low in 

 the water — its back almost a-wash with the waves, and only 

 its head and neck sticking out inquiringly. From this position 

 it can dive again without a splash. 



From this point we were also able to watch a Shag, or 

 Green Cormorant, fishing out at sea. They appear to be less 

 common here than the ordinary Black Cormorant ; or perhaps 

 it may be that they do not come near the shore so frequently. 



