BIRDS OF SOUTH-EAST NORTHUMBERLAND. 27 
Holywell Dene, but only very occasionally. One was shot in 
the winter of 1909 by F. Wilson, Esq., on his farm, Marden, 
Cullercoats. Many of the pitmen have specimens set up, 
obtained at Holywell. 
Common Parrripder (Perdix cinerea).—Formerly a common 
resident. Mr. R. Duncan informs me that about thirty years 
ago he saw a very large covey leave the mainland and fly round 
the island. Now they are very uncommon. A stray pair or two 
may breed, but a certain notice-board I know of in the district 
which says, ‘‘ The shooting rights on this land are let, anyone 
found disturbing the game and trespassing will be prosecuted,” 
seems rather ironical. My uncle, Mr. 8. G. Charlton, informs 
me that a covey once flew from the mainland, being forced by 
the violence of a west wind, and, alighting on the sea, were 
drowned and washed to shore, where they were picked up by 
the fishermen. This took place about ten years ago along 
Whitley Sands. Mrs. Leeson tells me that several times in 
the summers of the last three or four years she has heard 
Partridges calling in the fields close behind her house in Bever- 
ley Gardens, Cullercoats, where they doubtless nest. 
Quam (Coturnix communis).—Formerly a summer resident; 
J. Hancock says that it has nested at Cullercoats, among other 
places in Northumberland. The only occurrence I know of in 
recent years 1s one which was shot near Holywell by Mr. 
Richardson in June, 1906. 
Lanp-Rait (Crex pratensis).—A regular spring visitor, but 
only in small numbers. Mr. Monk informs me that one was 
caught by him which had flown against the plate-glass of the 
lighthouse on St. Mary’s. Mr. Richardson tells me that 
formerly the pitmen of Holywell made up smail parties on the 
arrival of the Corn-Crakes, and sallying forth with guns and an 
instrument for imitating the bird’s calls, went in search of 
them. When the ‘‘sportsmen’’ came to a field in which they 
heard the Corn-Crakes calling they entered it, and two or more 
standing ready with their guns, the remaining man worked the 
decoy. Very soon the real calls ceased, and the gunners 
waited; then suddenly a small brown form darted from the 
grass and all the guns were let off simultaneously at it. Some- . 
times they got as many as four or five out of one field, which 
