1876 Birds. 



and the shells on which they fed were abundant, but now that the place is strictly pre- 

 served, the birds abound, and the shells appear to have become scarcer. Water-birds, 

 as might be expected, have resorted in greater numbers to the Car, since they have 

 been less disturbed, and this year they appear to be more numerous than usual. 

 Several species also have bred in greater numbers this season than usual, and some 

 have bred which had not been previously noticed at the Car in the breeding season. 

 Several broods of the redshank were brought out, the water-crake bred there this 

 season, and a ruff and reeve were seen by Mr. R. Reay, of Berwick Hill. Mr. John 

 Hancock, by whom this information is furnished, obtained the egg of the redshank. 

 Amongst the other birds seen was a flock of about thirty ring-dotterels, a number un- 

 usually large to be seen together at Prestwick Car. The only business transacted at 

 the meeting was the election of four new members, and the presentation, by Mr. J. 

 Hancock, of a Notice of the Capture of the Thrush Nightingale (Sylvia Turdoides, 

 Meyer), the largest European warbler, near the village of Swalwell, three or four miles 

 west of Newcastle. The attention of Mr. Thos. Robson, of Swalwell, a gentleman 

 perfectly acquainted with the notes of our different warblers, was, towards the end of 

 last May, attracted to a note which he did not recognize. After some trouble he suc- 

 ceeded in seeing, and afterwards obtaining the bird, which proved to be the male of 

 the species above named. Although this was the only specimen obtained, yet, from 

 the time of year and other circumstances, there is little doubt that this fine warbler is 

 a regular visitant, its peculiarly retired habits having hitherto concealed it from ob- 

 servation. Mr. Hancock has in his possession an egg obtained in Northamptonshire, 

 which agrees exactly with the description of the thrush nightingale's, but from not sup- 

 posing the bird to be a native of England, Mr. Hancock was unwilling to assign the 

 egg to this species ; now, however, that the bird has been obtained here in the breed- 

 ing season, there seems no reason to doubt that it breeds also in Northamptonshire. 



Partridge destructive to Eggs. — A friend of mine, who was much troubled by ver- 

 min, set two traps, a short space from each other, with a very slight fence on either side 

 to guide the animals to them. Between the traps he made a slight depression, in 

 which some eggs were placed as a bait : instead, however, of catching the vermin, he 

 caught their game, and to his annoyance found the leg of a partridge in one of the 

 traps. A few days afterwards he caught a French partridge in the same way. It may 

 be thought these birds accidentally entered the traps, but my friend assures me that 

 the eggs showed many marks of their bills, from which it is evident they were attracted 

 by them, and had been some time engaged at their work before they were caught. — T. 

 Catchpool, Jun. ; Colchester, August, 1847. 



Note on the Common Sandpiper and Woodcock. — While fishing yesterday in the 

 River Bure, near Wroxham, I was much struck by the number of the common sand- 

 piper (Totanus hypoleucos) which I saw flying up and down ; there were many family 

 parties of five or six, but on two occasions I saw a flock of as many as thirty or forty 

 together close by me. I do not remember to have seen any notice of any flocking to- 

 gether of more than one family of that species. My companions, who are constantly 

 in the habit of fishing thereabouts, tell me that they never observed the bird there at 

 all, and, though not ornithologists, it could not have escaped the notice of both of 

 them were it common. On the same day I saw a woodcock taking its evening flight, 

 either a very early immigration or bred thereabouts ; I fancy the latter, as I have 

 reason to believe that they do nest in Norfolk. One was shot at Mr. Marsham's, of 

 Stratton, on the 4th of June this year, if my memory serves me ; certainly some time 

 in that month.—//. T. Frerc ; Ai/lsham, August 25, 1847. 



