BIRDS OF SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 348 



between Coldhani Eoad and the Stur rivulet, which up to the 

 late sixties was full of interest to the ornithologist. It was dug 

 over for the phosphatic nodules known as coprolites, and when 

 the great pools of water were left ere it was levelled again, which 

 was not till later, it looked in winter, or from autumn to late 

 spring, like a series of mud-flats when the tide was low. I used 

 to delight to walk along the high bank which confines the waters 

 of the Stur, and, field-glass in hand, watch the birds on the mere 

 like silt-beds ; I never knew what rare bird I might not see. The 

 kinds I have noted between autumn and early spring are Snipe, 

 Golden Plover, Dotterel, Grey Phalarope, Green Sandpiper, 

 Spotted Redshank, Cambridge Godwit (Limosa belgica), Bar- 

 tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, and Common Gull ; Quails 

 also came in their season, and Lapwings. Wild Geese and 

 Ducks, too, came in winter- time. The Geese were the Grey 

 Lag-Goose, White-fronted, and Bean. The Ducks were Sheld- 

 Ducks, Mallard, and Pochard. 



