BIRDS 
under the writer’s observation which was shot 
by a schoolfellow at Milton, in September 
1884, and one was shot at Offley in 1886. 
According to Mr. J. Cole they used to be 
more common on the Dunstable downs than 
elsewhere, and he has received one to be 
stuffed which was killed in that locality so re- 
cently as 1894; a year or two previously he 
had two immature birds that had been shot 
between Luton and Dunstable, a quantity of 
the down being still upon them. 
159. Dotterel. 
Eudromtas morinellus (Linn.) 
Formerly common along the chalk-hill 
range running through the south of the 
county, but occurring far more freely in spring 
than during their autumn movements. Mr. 
J. Cole shot three near Luton in 1891, and 
Mr. J. C. Wright mentions that two were 
killed about 1875 on the high land known as 
Bandy-Knowles, between Clifton and Shefford. 
Mr. A. Covington has one in his possession 
killed at Oakley previous to 1840, and has 
seen another, a very fine plumaged bird that 
was shot many years ago at Milton; the 
most recent occurrence he mentions was one 
shot at Bolnhurst about 1892. 
160. Ringed Plover. hiaticula 
(Linn.) 
Although far more frequently observed 
during the spring and autumn, I do not think 
there is a month when this bird does not 
occur; with the exception of the dunlin it is 
probably the commonest seafaring wader that 
visits us, frequently staying for several days 
together. The sewage farm at Newnham 
seems to offer it far greater attraction than 
any other locality, and it is here that most 
specimens are obtained. In other parts of 
the county it is of somewhat unusual occur- 
rence, evidently preferring any open shallow 
waters to the attractions of our waterways, 
161. Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvialis, 
Linn. 
A common winter visitant, and may be 
observed more or less frequently in all parts of 
the county, although it is as a rule very con- 
servative in its sleeping and feeding haunts. 
Tt occurs in the fields bordering the Ouse and 
Ivel with great regularity, and in the district 
between Newnham, Goldington and Willing- 
ton it may, in company with the lapwing, 
frequently be observed in thousands together. 
It is seen on the lands between Clifton and 
Langford, especially in the neighbourhood of 
Langford Common, also at Stondon and in 
the fields along the roadside between Bedford 
and Bromham and in many other localities. 
gialitis 
I 129 
162. Lapwing. Vanellus vulgaris, Bechstein. 
Locally, Peewit. 
Fairly abundant, but somewhat local as a 
resident. In the autumn its numbers are 
swelled considerably by continental arrivals, 
which in some years are very numerous. 
163. Oyster-Catcher. 
Linn. 
Of occasional occurrence. Mr. A. Cov- 
ington mentions one shot near Longholm, 
close to the town of Bedford, during a heavy 
snowstorm either in 1866 or the following 
year, and according to Dr. Sprigge three 
oyster- catchers appeared at Great Barford about 
July 1880. 
164. Black-winged Stilt. 
dus, Bonnaterre. 
Hematopus ostralegus, 
Himantopus candi- 
One instance of this rare straggler’s occur- 
rence within the county can be recorded. It 
was shot about 1855 from Pinfold Hole, a 
disused sandpit situated by the roadside be- 
tween Chicksands and Shefford. Through 
the kindness of Mr. C. Tanqueray I was 
enabled to examine this particular specimen. 
165. Grey Phalarope. 
(Linn.) 
Occurs at rare intervals whilst on migra- 
tion, especially during its autumnal movements. 
On 22 September 1866 one that is in the 
possession of Mr. A. Covington was killed 
from the Elstow Brook, and a second specimen 
was received by him from Beeston, which 
had been shot whilst swimming about on a 
farm pond 2 October 1879. Both were re- 
markably tame, and the plumage in both 
instanees intermediate between the summer 
and winter dress. Dr. Sprigge has one in his 
possession which was killed about 1875 by a 
keeper at Tempsford. Two have passed 
through the hands of Mr. T. Cane of Luton, 
and would probably be the same birds as re- 
corded by Davis, one of which was killed from 
some water alongside the high road. Mr. J. 
S. Wright has also had a locally obtained 
specimen to set up. Another example was 
observed about 1885 by Mr. J. King whilst 
it was swimming about on his flooded 
meadows. 
Phalaropus fulicarius 
166, Red-necked Phalarope. Phalaropus hyper- 
boreus (Linn.) 
A very rare visitant on migration. The 
Rev. E. W. Boling has a specimen, evidently 
a female, which was shot on the glebe pond 
at Houghton Conquest on 1 June about 
1890. 
17 
