414 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



I frequently come across birds which have a great amount of 

 rufous tinge in their plumage, especially on the head and breast, 

 quite distinct, in my opinion, from that assumed by the bird of 

 the year ; and I have met with the former still more frequently 

 throughout the summer. These, no doubt, are one-year-old 

 birds that will assume next spring the nuptial dress. Therefore, 

 strictly speaking, the Dunlin passes through three well- defined 

 stages in variation of plumage before maturity is reached — that 

 put on by the bird of the year, which has little or no rufous 

 tinge ; that having the rufous tinge in a marked degree, which 

 comes after the first spring ; and, lastly, the nuptial dress itself, 

 when this rufous colouring is to a great extent lost. 



Sept. 22nd. Very stormy ; a stiff gale from the south-west. 



Sept. 23rd. Strong westerly wind. Two more Curlew Sand- 

 pipers (males). Several Green Sandpipers about. The majority 

 of Yellow Wagtails have disappeared. 



Sept. 24th. Strong south-westerly wind. A pair of Wood 

 Sandpipers along one of the dykes, while a Grey Wagtail was 

 observed for the first time to-day. A number of Kingfishers 

 close to the shore. Four Black Terns (immature) appeared. 

 They kept hawking over a grass-field all day long. These birds 

 are seldom met with on this part of the coast. 



Sept. 25th. Very rainy ; a strong south-westerly gale. The 

 Black Terns are still about. Another Curlew Sandpiper (female). 

 This and the preceding specimens were all obtained on a grass- 

 plot where chickens feed. A number of Kestrels are on the 

 Lydd Beach. A pair of Grey Phalaropes (immature), secured ; 

 the female the smallest I have yet come across. It weighed 

 exactly lj oz., the male lj- oz. 



Sept. 26th. Squally. A Grey Phalarope on the midrips. 

 Another was picked up on the sands with one wing torn off. It 

 had evidently flown against the telegraph wire along the sea-wall. 

 A further influx of young Swallows and Sand Martins has taken 

 place. The Swallows seemed tired ; many squatted motionless 

 on the grass, now and again hovering over it, after the manner of 

 Kestrels. The Sand Martins were by far the most active. Their 

 flight appeared steady and strong. During the last two weeks 

 Sky Larks have sung at fitful intervals. Their songs now rarely 

 exceed a minute. This morning, however, a Lark, full of 

 exuberant spirits, sang for a period of three and half minutes, in 



