Birds. 1171 



grounds between Saltburn and Brotton. And last year (1843), another 

 was killed near Saltholm, by the Tees. 



Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis. Not unfrequent in 

 some winters and springs : it is a bird in great request for the table, 

 but is very rich and somewhat greasy. 



Dotterel, Charadrius Morinellus. This bird of passage "visits 

 our moors in flocks early in the spring." — J. G. Rare at Hartlepool, 

 according to Sharp's List. 



Ringed Plover, Charadrius Hiaticula. Frequent on the sea- 

 coast. It is a species of much interest from its geographical range, 

 which extends from Greenland, Lapland and Siberia, as far as Asia 

 a ad Malta. 



Grey Plover, Squatarola cinerea. Easily distinguished from 

 the golden plover by having a toe behind. I have shot it occasion- 

 ally near Hartlepool and the Tees' mouth in October. It is excellent 

 eating: indeed, I think more delicate and less oily than the golden 

 plover. 



Lapwing, or Peewit, Vanellus cristatus. A beautiful species, 

 and famed for its delicious and rich eggs. Its flesh is likewise much 

 esteemed. Though not a water-bird, still it frequents moist grounds, 

 fens, and marshes near rivers. 



Turnstone, Strepsilas Interpres. Only an autumn and a winter 

 visiter on our shores, and is certainly rare. I have notes of one 

 having been shot near Seaton, in the autumn of 1829, and of another 

 at Seaton Snook, in February, 1837. It is included in the List of 

 Birds published in Sharp's ' Hist, of Hartlepool.' The turnstone has 

 been observed in all quarters of the world. The bill of this genus is 

 somewhat depressed at its culmen. 



Sanderling, Calidris arenaria. The sanderling's bill is com- 

 pressed at the base. 



Oyster Catcher, Sea Pie, Hamatopus ostralegus. Vulgarly termed 

 by the Hartlepool fishermen, mussel-cracker. Mr. Jenyns says that 

 it "is never found inland," (Brit. Vert. An. p. 184), but it appears 

 that it is sometimes met with on the banks of the Trent, in Leicester- 

 shire. See Yarrell's ' British Birds,' vol. ii. p. 435. 



Common Heron, or Hern, Ardea cinerea. The only heronry 

 I ever saw, was on the islands in Rydal Lake, Westmoreland, and 

 which I am surprised is omitted by Mr. Yarrell in his List given at 

 p. 448, vol. ii. ' Brit Birds.' Many herons' nests are annually built 

 in the fir-trees which grow on two or three little isles in that lake. 

 When rowing in a boat near those isles, I have surveyed with delight 



