86 THE ORNITHOLOGIST. 



observations — in a two-fold sense — commend themselves to 

 the subscribers to the Ornithologist, it is certain that the 

 evidence of others can in no wise invalidate testimony born of 

 my own personal experience. I must apologise for encroaching 

 a second time at such length on the limited space at the 

 Editor's command ; such was not at all my intention at the 

 outset, while even as it is, I feel that I have dealt inadequately 

 with some of the conflicting issues raised. I will merely add 

 that if there are any readers who, following the example of the 

 friend referred to by Mr. Macpherson, deem it profitable or 

 even expedient, to generalise as to what is "a detail" and 

 what "the rule" from (as it would appear) three nests only, 

 respecting one of which, by-the-bye, according to Mr. Young's 

 own showing, there was a doubt as to its being the undivided 

 work of the Sparrow-hawks themselves, they will show 

 presence of mind by forbearing to give the fact publicity. 



BIBD LIFE ON THE COAST. 

 By George F. Ely. 



At a secluded spot on the north-west coast of England lies, 

 a favourite breeding place for certain kinds of sea birds, and in 

 June last year we decided to pay them a visit. Between the 

 village and the sea is an estuary where three rivers meet and 

 fall into the sea, high sand-hills with a flat expanse of sand 

 beyond. The colonies of Terns, &c, breed chiefly on the 

 points where the waters unite, and a grand sound it is to 

 hear the cries of the various fowl in the distance, when the 

 ebbing tide leaves the sands bare, and to see them throwing 

 themselves headlong into the water to catch the fish, while 

 others are sailing about in small parties to find the food they 

 like, their numbers being swelled in the evening by the Curlews 

 from the mountains inland. 



We started on the morning of an ideal summer day, with 

 clear blue sky overhead, and wending our way along pretty 

 lanes arrived at the warren which lies behind the sand-hills ; 

 just before passing through the gate on to the warren a Lapwing 



