250 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



numerous as ever, and several Stock Doves were nesting on 

 the cliffs. 



Early in August two Grey Plovers, two Pigmy Curlews, 

 and a Knot, all in perfect summer plumage, were obtained 

 at the Tees-mouth; and a Kichardson's Skua, an immature 

 bird, was shot in Tees Bay on the 8th. On the 12th the 

 usual shore-birds — Bar-tailed Godwits, Turnstones, Kedshanks, 

 Oystercatchers, Sanderlings, and Dunlins — were to be seen in 

 small flocks. An immense flight of Pigmy Curlews — most 

 unusual for this district — occurred this month. Small parties 

 appear at irregular intervals, and three or four examples may 

 be taken in a season ; but on this occasion their numbers far 

 exceeded anything in my experience. On the 26th twenty- 

 one were killed, eleven at one shot, and from that date to the 

 Sept. 25th, I saw no less than 110 which were shot at, or near, 

 the Tees. On their first arrival they were found in flocks by 

 themselves, on the salt-marshes, but after a few days they 

 associated with Dunlins and other small waders. Those which 

 were procured during the latter part of September were all shot 

 by firing into mixed flocks of shore birds. The last I noticed 

 were on the sands on Sept. 25th, nor did I afterwards hear of 

 any others being observed. A few Sandwich and Lesser Terns 

 visited the Tees Mouth, and one or two immature examples of 

 the latter species were shot. 



On Sept. 5th the first of the autumn contingent of Grey 

 Plovers, a flock of six, passed to the N.W. 8th. A few young 

 Gannets were in the Bay, and remained for some days fishing 

 among the herrings and sprats. 10th. A flight of Grey Plovers, 

 Sanderlings, Dunlins, and a few Godwits arrived. 11th. Great 

 flocks of Godwits and Knots were on the Tees Sands. I made 

 good bags of both species. 16th. E. moderate wind. A great 

 many Ducks passed to the N.W. A Woodcock flew up the sands, 

 near the fishing-boats, early in the morning. 20th. A great 

 passage of Ducks took place. 23rd. At sea I observed eight 

 Ked-throated Divers. 26th. A great arrival of Dunlins ; some 

 immense flocks were on the sands at high tide. A few Larks 

 and Chaffinches were crossing on the autumnal migration. 

 29th. Larks crossing continually. A Honey Buzzard was shot 

 near Whitby, and sent to Mussell, the Middlesbro' taxidermist. 



Oct. 2nd, N. wind, moderate. Several flocks of Ducks, a > 



