ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM ROMNEY MARSH. 251 



On May 29th the first flock of Sanderlings appeared. They 

 were in full summer dress. The female of this species seems more 

 backward in assuming the nuptial dress than the male. A female 

 out of this flock was obtained with plumage hardly differing from 

 that attained in autumn. The resemblance in the markings of 

 the crown, nape, and mantle, and especially the latter, of the male 

 Dunlin, and Sanderling, in summer dress, is very remarkable. 

 The last flock of Sanderlings was seen here on June 2nd. 



A pair of Dotterel appeared here on May 29th, a rather late 

 date for this species. They remained in a field of young peas 

 close to the shore for several days. 



On May 30th two pairs of Common Sandpipers came to one 

 of the dykes, but disappeared a few days later. I have searched 

 in vain for the nest of this species in many portions of Kent, and 

 have carefully watched the birds, but they never remained for any 

 length of time in one locality. Knox, in his ' Ornithological 

 Rambles' (p. 231), says that this bird "is frequently met with 

 on the banks of inland streams, among the grassy borders of 

 which the nest is placed." This can hardly be taken as evi- 

 dence of this species having nested, even in Sussex, during his 

 da}\ The breeding haunts of the Common Sandpiper must be 

 looked for on higher altitudes than are to be found in Kent and 

 Sussex. 



June 3rd, saw a number of Dunlin with black breasts; a 

 somewhat late date. So far as my experience goes, none of the 

 adults remain here during the entire summer. When feeding, the 

 Dunlins seem convinced of the justice of the rule, "Share and 

 share alike." Extended order is formed, or when in flock the 

 rear portion alternately comes to the front, and in this way each 

 bird partakes equally of what the tide lays bare. 



On June 4th I made an expedition to the Hoppen "Petts" 

 for the purpose of inspecting the colony of Black-headed Gulls. 

 These " petts," which lie about four miles south-east of Lydd, 

 consist of two large pieces of water of unknown depth. They are 

 furthermore fringed with treacherous reed-beds which possess all 

 the qualities of a dangerous bog. They are also the home of 

 many leeches. When within a mile of these "petts" I could 

 discern a number of Black-headed Gulls lining the banks, and 

 looking like so many lumps of white chalk. On a nearer approach 

 they all rose up, full of clamorous consternation — a veritable 



