138 On Birds in North Northumberland, by T. H. Gibb. 



Aln, and the various rivulets that intersect the county. Its nest, 

 notwithstanding its great dimensions, is composed of materials 

 which so nearly resemble the objects around it that it is very 

 seldom found. Though more sober in colour than its river-side 

 companion, the Kingfisher, it is by far the most interesting of the 

 two birds. The latter by his meteoric-like splendour, as he shoots 

 momentarily past you, creates in the beholder more surprise than 

 admiration ; but the former, in his modest dress, cheers you with 

 his lively presence, as he darts in and out of the limpid element, 

 that for ever dashes over the rocks of his native glen ; and in the 

 depths of winter when the songs of all other birds are hushed — 

 the Dipper's ditty enthrals you with its sweetness. 



Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola). — This bird often remains to 

 breed here. In Hulne Park, which is strictly preserved, a few 

 pairs remain to nest every season ; and during the summer even- 

 ings, in particular localities, they may be seen very frequently as 

 they issue forth for their crepuscular and nocturnal excursions ; 

 at any rate they have very often come under my observation at such 

 times. Last season a pair formed their nest on the outskirts of a 

 wood near to Filberthaugh Bridge ; and when discovered it con- 

 tained four eggs. It was placed amongst a lot of dry and 

 withered leaves ; and so closely did the eggs and the birds them- 

 selves approach to them in colour, that it required a very close 

 search indeed to find the nest out. The birds sat very closely and 

 were often touched with a stick before they could be induced to take 

 wing. "Woodcocks were very numerous here in 1 875 and 1876, but 

 remained for a very short time near the coast ; dispersing inland 

 with greater haste than usual. I flushed one during the above 

 period in the centre of a large break of heather, dry and crisp 

 from its elevated situation — a curious refuge I thought for a 

 lover of wooded hill sides and low lying shades, many of which 

 existed not far off. 



Green Sandpiper {Tringa ochropus). — I observed one of these 

 birds on the river Aln, in the autumn of 1876. It rose warily on 

 the wing, and but for its harsh note and erratic flight I should 

 have taken it for the common species. It is a very occasional 

 visitant with us ; northern Europe being the great breeding 

 re ndezvous of this species. * Yet a few remain in this country to 

 nost ; and doubtless those birds which crop up now and again in 

 tie autumn, are either birds of the season bred in this country, 

 oi' those that have remained here for nidification. 



