Ornithological Notes, by George Bolam. 497 



for sale in a game-shop in Berwick, in September last. They 

 were said to have been killed near Unthank, and were quite 

 young birds, evidently bred not far from the place at which they 

 were shot. 



Grey Plover {Pluvialis varius). — Frequent along the coast 

 during autumn and winter, generally seen in small parties of 

 three or four. 



Ring-Dotterel ( Charadrius Hiaticula). — Breeds on the gravelly 

 beach at Cheswick and Goswick, where I have taken the nest. 



Greenshank {Totanus griseus). — Not uncommon on the slakes 

 at Holy Island during the autumn, and occasionally remaining 

 there for the winter. 



Redshank [Totanus Calidris). — Breeds in considerable numbers 

 on wet fields upon Goswick farm, the earliest nests being about 

 the end of April. 



Water-Rail {Rallus aquaticus). — By no means rare on the 

 banks of the Tweed, near Berwick, and occasionally to be seen 

 exposed for sale in the game-shops. These birds seem to remain 

 in pairs throughout the winter. 



Spotted Crake ( Crex porzana). — Mr Robert Brown, of Gains- 

 law, kindly gave me a specimen of this bird, which he had shot 

 there on the 11th October, 1878. 



Shelldrake {Anas Tadorna). — Is still found breeding in rabbit- 

 holes upon the mainland opposite Holy Island. Shelldrakes are 

 also occasionally met with on the slakes at Fenham, and Holy 

 Island, during winter. 



Glaucous Gull {Larus glaucus). — Is common on the coast 

 during winter in the immature state. A fine specimen in full 

 mature winter plumage was obtained in December last, near the 

 mouth of the Tweed, and is now preserved in the Berwick 

 Museum. 



Black Tern {Sterna fissipes) . — On 9th October, 1878, I shot a 

 specimen of this Tern in the harbour here. It was, in company 

 with some Black-headed Gulls, picking up the refuse floating 

 from the boats at the quay ; and proved on examination to be a 

 male in immature plumage ; weighing a little over 2 oz. avoir., 

 and measuring from tip to tip of wings one foot ten inches. 



Lesser Tern {Sterna minuta). — One was obtained near Ancroft, 

 in August, 1877, and is now in the Berwick Museum. 



Little Auk {Mergulus Alle). — Was very abundant on our 





