THE SOUTH HAMS. XXVI 1 



up the mass of facts which it has been our self-imposed task to 

 investigate and apply to tlie uses of the present work. 



The extreme mildness of the winters tempts some of the summer 

 migrants to remain very late in the year. The Chiff chaff and 

 Blackcap have often been observed in the winter months. In 

 the extraordinary mild month of January 1776 the Cuckoo was 

 heard in several parts of the district. In fine hot summers many 

 southern species are induced to cross the channel, as the Hoopoe, 

 Bee-eater, Roller, and Little Bittern. Two out of the three British- 

 killed specimens of the Rufous AVarbler were shot on the coast. 



This district forms the head-quarters of the Black Redstart in 

 winter. All along the coast from Teignmouth to Plymouth it is 

 frequently met with. It is remarkable that the Common Redstart 

 should be rarely seen in summer and only occasionally in spring 

 and autumn. The Hawfinch, Crossbill, and Oyster-catcher have 

 bred within its limits. At Plymouth have occurred the following 

 rare species : — Blue-headed Wagtail, Richard's Pipit, Water-Pipit, 

 Alpine Accentor, Fire- crest. Golden Oriole, Roller, Woodchat, 

 Lesser Grey Shrike, Hoopoe, Red-footed Falcon, Purple Heron, 

 American Bittern, Black Stork, Spoonbill, Red-necked Phala- 

 rope. Eider Duck, ^Kentish Plover, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered 

 Tern, Little Crake, Great Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Black Guil- 

 lemot, &c. 



The Kingsbridge district has produced a great number of inter- 

 esting species, amongst which may be mentioned Nightingale, 

 Dartford Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Blue-headed Wagtail, 

 Golden Oriole, Great Grey Shrike, Waxwing, Tree-Sparrow, Cross- 

 bill, Rose-coloured Pastor, Chough, Wryneck, Bce-eatcr, Hoopoe, 

 White-tailed Eagle, Kite, Little Bittern, Night-Heron (9 specimens), 

 Squacco Heron, Buff-backed Heron, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Pink- 

 footed (jloose (?), Bewick^s Swan, American Green-winged Teal, 

 Velvet Scoter, Little Crake, Crane, Little Bustard, Dotterel, Grey 

 Plover, Avocet, Red-breasted Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Black- 

 throated Diver, Fulmar, Buffon's Skua, and Sabine's Gull. 



Slapton Ley. 

 This sheet of fresh water, running parallel to the sea and only 

 separated from it by a hank of saud and shingle sonic two 

 hundred yards wide, is situated in the centre of an indentation 



