BIRDS OF SOUTH-EAST NORTHUMBERLAND. 143 
fired several shots at it, and each time it flew a little further 
on or back along the shore. At last it perched on a mass 
of seaweed at the mouth of Briar Dene Burn, and Mr. Duncan, 
Junior, walked up and shot it as it flew away. It was pur- 
chased from him by Mr. C. M. Adamson, who perceived it was 
a bird he did not know, and after much discussion it proved 
to be an American Pectoral Sandpiper. (H. Saunders, Man. 
Brit. Birds ; J. Hancock, Cat. Birds Northd. and Durham.) 
Dunurn (7. alpina).—Now an occasional winter visitor, but 
formerly more numerous, like most of the birds here. Birds of 
this species have been killed by flying against the lantern of the 
lighthouse on St. Mary’s Island. J. Hancock records the first, 
in September, 1830, a male in the first plumage, which is set up 
in the Hancock Collection. 
Lirtne Stint (7. minuta).—A rare autumn visitor, generally 
seen in September. On Sept. 12th, 1843, Mr. C. M. Adamson 
shot three out of a flock of six on Whitley Sands, and another 
the same day and place out of a flock of Dunlins. One of these 
specimens is in the Hancock Museum. 
CurLew-Sanppiper (7. subarquata).— A very rare autumn 
visitant. The late John Hancock procured two on Whitley 
Sands in September, 1849; both were immature birds. Another 
example was shot at St. Mary’s Island on Sept. 1st, 1896; it is 
also an immature, and is now in the Hancock Collection. 
PurpLe Sanppiper (7’. striata).—A fairly common visitant in 
winter, and the most numerous of the wading birds to be found 
on this part of the coast, the nature of the shore being most 
suited to it, 7.e. the seaweed-covered rocks and sand. J. Han- 
cock gives the first record, two immature birds shot on Sept. 9th, 
1830—in the Hancock Museum. The same naturalist mentions 
two examples which were shot at St. Mary’s Island on May 
18th, and had attained the summer plumage. Mr. R. Duncan 
also informs me that he once shot a bird of this species in 
summer plumage in the same month. 
Knor (7. canutus).—A regular early spring and autumn 
visitant. The first specimen recorded is in the Hancock Museum, 
and was shot on Whitley Sands in 18386. Mr. C. M. Adamson 
says the following with regard to this species :—‘‘ A female in 
the summer plumage was shot on its return from the breeding- 
