924 Birds. 



For as soon as one of the number is flushed and fired at, the whole 

 party make a point of immediately absconding. Now, why the snipes 

 should congregate for their day's snooze, as T suppose, in that parti- 

 cular spot, I can discern no earthly reason. There are plenty of tur- 

 nip-fields much nearer better feeding ground, although there is some- 

 thing approaching to marsh in the neighbourhood. Lower down the 

 marshes there are certain withy-beds ; and he would be a clever fel- 

 low who should say why they are not equally attractive to snipes : 

 and yet one of these almost always contains snipes and the others ne- 

 ver ; so much so, that R. Loe and other regular frequenters of the 

 marshes, always try the one bed and never try the others. Mention- 

 ing one day to R. Loe that I had found five teal in a particular cut, 

 his reply was, " They are sure to be there, if anywhere." Why so ? 

 One cut resembles another very nearly ; the water, the plants are the 

 same ; and I could point out many situations quite as favourable for 

 concealment. There is another spot where Jack snipes abound, but 

 their larger congener is never seen. How little do we know of the 

 habits of birds ! T admit that sometimes an apparent reason for such 

 partiality may be surmised ; but, at times, I, at least, am completely 

 at fault. I beg pardon, Mr. Editor, for this digression. Use your 

 own discretion about printing it. But it may elicit something from 

 the more knowing ; and I am quite as desirous to be taught as to 

 teach, in the pages of ' The Zoologist.' 



The Dotterel. The only instance of the occurrence of this bird I 

 am able to record, is given on the authority of John Simeon, Esq., 

 who, with his brother, once found two dotterels, one of which they 

 obtained, on Freshwater Downs. 



The Ringed Plover is common on the northern shores of the island. 

 I have seen a small flock twice only on the shore at Bonchurch. Mr. 

 Butler has known it to breed in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth. 



The Grey Plover I give on the authority of Mr. Butler, who has 

 obtained it three or four times at Yarmouth. 



Tlie Lapwing breeds, and remains throughout the year with us ; 

 but is not numerous. Now and then a lapwing appears in the Under- 

 cliff ; but in Sandham Flats, and in the neighbourhood of Pan Com- 

 mon, a few may commonly be seen. 



The Turnstone I have seen but once. Walking on the shore at 

 Bonchurch, August 23, 1841, a turnstone alighted on a rock within 

 twenty feet of me. Having no gun, I thought I would try what I 

 could do with a stone. The missile passed within an inch of the bird; 



