BIRDS OF SOUTH-EAST NORTHUMBERLAND. 141 
occurrences of several in the breeding plumage near Tynemouth 
during the summers of 1829 and 1880. 
OystERcAaTCHER (Hematopus ostralegus).—Regularly seen in 
early autumn when the birds which have bred further north 
pass south for the colder months. Mr. W. G. Monks informs 
me that while he was on St. Mary’s lighthouse one of these 
birds killed itself by flying against the glazing. 
Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta).—The only specimen recorded 
for Northumberland was procured at Hartley. This is mentioned 
in Selby’s Catalogue as being ‘‘killed not long ago,” and ‘‘in 
the possession of Mr. Wardle.” Selby’s Catalogue appeared in 
1831, but how are we to judge as to the date of this occurrence 
when we have only the scanty information ‘‘ not long ago.” It 
might be anywhere within the limit of a hundred years! In the 
autumn of 1907 a fisherman of Bates’ Island informed Mr. 
Leonard Gill, Curator of the Newcastle Museum, of a bird which 
aptly suits the description of this species that had been observed 
by him in the vicinity of the island. 
Grey Poaarops (Phalaropus fulicarius).—A very rare autumn 
visitant. On Noy. 22nd, 1888, one was shot on the coast. Mr. 
R. Duncan informs me that one was shot at the island in about 
1856, and one two years later. The last record I have is of 
one which was shot on Whitley Sands in 1906, and was set up 
by Mr. Wright for Mr. Watts, of Whitley Bay. 
RED-NECKED PHaLAROPE (P. hyperboreus).—A very rare casual 
visitant. Three have been shot here: one on August 16th, 
1832, in the first plumage, at Tynemouth; another at Culler- 
coats, on Noy. 22nd, 1838, in the same garb; and the last at 
St. Mary’s Island in December, 1872. The first two are in the 
Hancock Museum, while the third is mentioned in Mr. C. M. 
Adamson’s ‘ Scraps about Birds,’ and was in his collection. 
Woopcock (Scolopax rusticula).—Only seen on migration in 
October, and then they arrive in fair numbers on the coast at 
night, and are often so exhausted that they can be taken by 
hand. In some years large numbers are seen, but in others 
very few. In 1907 many were procured, several on the light- 
house, one in our front garden. One flew into an open window, 
being attracted by the light in the room, and was caught. A 
specimen was shot, so Mackenzie says (‘History of Northumber- 
