ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION'S RECORD. 



Some interesting birds were reported during 1952-53. One of the most notable was 

 a Baird's Sandpiper on the Wicks. It was first seen by Captain Fluke on September 19th. 

 There had been north-west winds previously, which may have accounted for this American 

 Wader being so far from its normal migration route. This is only the seventh British 

 record for this species. 



On October 5th, the sea at Dungeness seemed alive with whitebait which attracted 

 Guillamots, a Razorbill, Red-throated Divers and many Gulls, amongst which were at 

 least five Little Gulls. Gannets were fishing farther out. A great Grey Shrike was seen 

 in Folkestone on October 20th and on the same day Goldcrests were going through. 



Lesser Redpoles and Siskins were feeding on thistles in a rough field bordering the 

 Hythe Canal on November 15th. 



On January 10th, six Snow Buntings and one Woodlark were on the sea wall near 

 the Wicks. 



In the spring Wrynecks were much in evidence in the neighbourhood of Sandgate 

 and the curious call — a high pitched " Quee - quee - quee - quee " could be heard on 

 most days during May and early June. 



On April 19th two Yellowshank were seen at Cheyne Court and on May 9th, a RufF, 

 in full breeding plumage, was seen near Grove Ferry. A pair of Cirl Buntings frequented 

 Coolinge Lane for several days at the end of July. On July 27th and again on August 7th, 

 a Hoopoe visited a garden in Hythe. 



1953 has been remarkable for a widespread invasion of Crossbills. In Kent they have 

 been seen at Kingsdown, St. Margaret's Bay and Hythe. 



H. M. Rowland. 



ROOKS EATING WALNUTS. 



One morning I was watching the Rooks, (Corous Trugilegus Trugilegus) in the 

 Walnut trees opposite the machine shop at Drellingore, in the Alkham Valley and noted 

 the birds were picking the nuts and taking them to a field nearby. 



I went closer, and, with the aid of my glasses, observed that the rooks took off the 

 green outside cover, crushed the shell and ate the kernel. 



W. A. Hill, d.s.m. 



