The Ornithology of the Dunbar Coast, by Robt. Gray. 51 



specimen, at least, of that curious bird, Pallas' Sand Grouse, 

 was taken on the coast near the town, while about twenty 

 others were seen on the shore at Seacliffe. 



The Golden Plover is very abundant in autumn and 

 winter along the rocky parts of the coast, and the Grey 

 Plover is not unfrequently found in small flocks, especially 

 on Tyne sands, near the estuary, where it is seen feeding in 

 company with Godwits and other waders. 



The Dotterel [Charadrius morinellus) is now rare — a few 

 being seen during their autumnal migration. Westwards 

 they are met with on Gullane links, but their stay is short 

 and their movements very uncertain. Passing over the 

 Ringed Plover, which is resident all the year ; the Sander- 

 ling and Turnstone, which are regular autumnal and winter 

 visitants ; the Lapwing and Oystercatcher which, though 

 resident, are, to some extent, migratory ; the Heron, resident, 

 and a native of the district ; I may remind the members of 

 the Great White Heron (Ardea alba), which was shot on 

 Tyne sands in the month of June, 1840. This beautiful 

 bird is still in the collection of Lord Haddington, at Tyn- 

 inghame House. The Common Bittern has been found near 

 the coast, and the Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) was on 

 one occasion identified on Tyne Sands by the late Mr John 

 Nelson, of Broomhouse. The Curlew is everywhere common, 

 and the Whimbrel is well known — not in May on the 

 passage northward, as is the case on the west coast, but in 

 autumn when going south. My observations for more than 

 twenty years on the western snores corroborate this, as the 

 Whimbrel there is very numerous during eight days in the 

 beginning of May (hence the name May fowl often applied 

 to the bird), while none are ever seen on their return journey. 



The Redshank, a few pairs of which breed on the Lam- 

 mermoors, finds its way shorewards in autumn, and remains 

 until the following spring. The Green Sandpiper has been 

 found on the banks of the Tyne and other streams not far 

 from the coast, and the Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypo- 

 leucos) is a regular frequenter of the shingle below Brox- 

 mouth Park, in August, and early part of September, just 

 before migrating southwards. I recollect seeing one pursued 

 by a Sparrow-hawk drop into the sea, and remain a few 

 seconds out of sight until the baffled hawk flew away, after 

 which it came to the surface and hurried into the nearest 

 shelter. G 



