BIRDS OBSERVED DURING A CYCLING TOUR. 188 



I identified both the Pied and White Wagtails, but neither 

 were plentiful. The same remarks apply to Ray's Wagtail. 

 At the cascade in the Bois-de-Boulogne was a family party of 

 the Grey Wagtail, and I also recognised this species near a 

 small stream at Abbeville. In riding from the latter place to 

 Montreuil we passed an extensive beech forest and got a 

 glimpse of a large Hawk. At Vron, midway between the 

 before- mentioned towns, are a series of nice-looking ponds 

 and marshes ; but I could make out no water-fowl on their 

 surfaces. On enquiring the French name of a caged Gold- 

 finch the owner dubbed it " Chadron Rouge." Amongst one 

 or two stuffed specimens of birds met with in hotels we called 

 at was a male Garganey. This was at Frevent. 



We spent the last few days of our trip in making short 

 excursions from Boulogne-sur-Mer into the surrounding 

 country. Our first ride — to Ambleteuse-le-Bain — was pro- 

 ductive of a pleasant surprise to me. As I was crossing a 

 small bridge I observed a grey and white bird swimming in a 

 little pool below. Quietly dismounting, I peeped over the 

 parapet and discovered a lovely Grey Phalarope, feeding at a 

 distance of only a few feet. It was remarkably tame, and 

 when disturbed rose with a sharp "wick," only to return to 

 its favourite spot again in a few minutes. I spent half an 

 hour watching it. The gales blowing from 21st September to 

 about 25th brought a small flock of Terns into the harbour at 

 Boulogne. As far as I could make out, both the Common and 

 Arctic species were represented. One or two Kittiwakes also 

 came in. We crossed to Folkestone on 23rd, during a heavy 

 gale, and, though I remained on deck in preference to seeking 

 shelter in the saloon, and witnessing and probably sharing in 

 the sufferings of my fellow passengers, I was only compensated 

 for the wetting I got by the sight of a pair of Guillimots, which 

 which were doing their best to make headway against the wind. 



From the annual Report (1894-5) of the Director of the Field Columbian 

 Museum, Chicago, we learn that an expeditiou to San Domingo, conducted 

 by Mr. Geo. K. Cherrie, Assistant Curator in the Department of Orni- 

 thology, resulted in the collection of 1,958 bird skins, among which two 

 species proved new to science, and a number of others are very interesting 

 as representing rare and little-known forms. 



