ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM ROMNEY MARSH. 249 



Of the two species of Terns breeding here, the Common and 

 Lesser, the latter is by far the more numerous. But the numbers 

 of both have sadly diminished of late years. Both species keep 

 separate in their breeding haunts, the Lesser Tern preferring 

 rather the close proximity of the sea. The restricted breeding 

 area taken up by the Common Terns is distinctly prejudicial to 

 the safety of their eggs. The children of the fishermen and coast- 

 guard officers soon discover these spots, and the eggs are robbed 

 right and left for purposes of eating. Over these places sheep 

 have invariably been feeding, and where they have poked their 

 noses, forming small stone-padded hollows, the eggs are more 

 often than not laid. On May 21st a nest of the Common Tern 

 was found containing five eggs. They were of the reddish-buff 

 variety. 



On May 23rd I was fortunate enough to discover, with the aid 

 of my field-glasses, a pair of Sandwich Terns breeding here. The 

 birds, however, deserted after the first egg was laid. I am inclined 

 to think that the Common Terns must have driven them away. 



A pair of Black Terns were seen on May 24th, following the 

 sea-board. 



The sandy portions of the Rye coast attract now and again a 

 certain number of Oystercatchers. They are more numerous, 

 however, in the autumn than on the spring migration. When 

 going northwards to breed, the Oystercatcher makes a rapid 

 journey, rarely tarrying for any length of time by the way like 

 other members of the Scolopacidce. At 5.30 on May 29th six of 

 these birds appeared here. They " shelved" on to the sand, and 

 immediately " made for" shelter along the nearest groyne. They 

 " bunched" themselves up together and remained almost motion- 

 less for nearly an hour, after which they aroused themselves and 

 began to dabble in the nearest pools. Shortly before seven o'clock 

 one of the birds — presumably the leader — uttered its call-note, 

 whereupon the little flock formed once more in close order and 

 got up like one bird, making in a north-westerly direction. A 

 solitary pair of these birds may be found breeding annually on 

 the beach not far from Dungeness. But it is doubtful whether 

 any young are ever reared. 



The presence here of the Wheatear can hardly escape the 

 notice of the most unobservant. The curious sites chosen by 

 these birds for their nests — and especially is this the case down 



