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the gunners in both localities. Their numbers, as with all migratory shore-birds, vary much in 

 different seasons ; but at times they are very plentiful, as was particularly the case in the spring 

 of 1863. Of these the chief portion pass on to the northward after a few days ; but small parties 

 may be seen on different parts of the coast up to the middle of June, and even as late as July. 

 At Hunstanton, in 1863, I found one or two small flocks frequenting the mussel-scalps up to the 

 second week in June ; and Mr. Dowell has observed them at Blakeney in two or three different 

 seasons, between the 25th and 30th of July, 'not paired off, but keeping together in "herds" of 

 from eight to ten,' most probably birds which would neither breed here nor elsewhere during 

 that summer. By the end of August or beginning of September, old and young together, have 

 again commenced their southward journey ; but the numbers then seen are but few in comparison 

 with the spring flight. In Mr. Dowell's notes I find no record of this bird having been observed 

 by him at Blakeney later than the first week in October ; and Mr. F. Frere describes them as 

 always scarce in autumn on Breydon, and rarely, if ever, seen during the winter months." 



In the west of Scotland, according to Mr. R. Gray, " a few are seen ; but as the season pro- 

 gresses the flocks become very large. They are then seen daily feeding on the pasture-lands near 

 the sea, chiefly on the west side of Benbecula and North Uist. These pastures, as I have myself 

 observed, are covered with a small land-shell (Helix ericetorum), which is so abundant that I 

 have gathered hundreds in a few minutes; and this shell constitutes the chief food of the 

 Whimbrel during its stay on the islands, extending over a period of three or four weeks, some- 

 times longer, as I have procured birds that were killed in June. The flocks, as a rule, depart 

 after their temporary sojourn about the last of the month, and do not return, except as very rare 

 stragglers, until the first of May following. Writing from Iona, Mr. Graham states that the 

 Whimbrel only visits that island in May, arriving in very large flocks about the 1st, and 

 remaining until the very last of the month, after which they entirely disappear, and are seen no 

 more for the rest of the year, except as single stragglers. They are then very tame and unsus- 

 picious. My friend thus describes its arrival : — ' When the wintry storms have at last done 

 roaring, and the sea has subsided into a peaceful calm, when the air is genial, and the sky is 

 blue, then the unusual and peculiar cry of the Whimbrel announces the fact that summer is 

 nigh. Its call consists of several rapidly repeated, short and clear whistles, uttered about seven 

 times in rapid succession ; whence its name of Seven Whistler has been derived. This cry is 

 heard as the flocks are flying to and fro high in the air, before alighting on the grass-covered 

 sandy levels which skirt a considerable portion of the shores of Iona and are at this time of the 

 year enamelled with wild hyacinths, purple orchis, and other wild flowers. A flock of some fifty 

 of these long-legged birds scattered over the bright green turf forms a very alluring sight ; and 

 their comparative heedlessness makes them an easy prey to one accustomed to circumvent the 

 timid and cunning Curlew. They do not touch here on their autumnal migrations.' The total 

 absence of these birds on many of the outer islands, at a time when one would expect to see 

 them on their return, has been a frequent subject of remark. On the island of Islay, however, 

 as I have been informed by Mr. Elwes, they are found in flocks about Loch Indall during the 

 winter and spring, which shows that a few, at least, come south by the same route. I have seen 

 one or two stray Whimbrels in the Clyde estuary early in August, along with small troops of 

 Dunlins, back at that season from their breeding-haunts on the moors." 



