6270 



Birds* 



Why I was just in the very nick of time to be too late. Away went 

 the bird, his shattered limb dangling the while, and whistling as he 

 flew, but whether in derision of my stupidity, or exulting in his own 

 most miraculous and fortunate escape, I know not. One thing, how- 

 ever, I observed, — that his whistling was not milike the call of the 

 redshank [Totanus calidris) when suddenly disturbed. Having flown 

 about a hundred yards or so, he again settled amongst some low-lying 

 rocks. I was in doubt as to whether I should follow : it was now 

 gloming, and betwixt my own weakness and anxiety I was more like 

 an aspen leaf than anything else. Follow, however, I did, having first 

 reloaded, and was just about giving up the pursuit as hopeless, when 

 he rose from beneath my feet. Both barrels were again emptied, but 

 with little apparent eflfect: the last made him scream somewhat 

 harshly and falter for a little in his flight, but that was all. Darkness 

 now put an end to any further operations for that night, and caused 

 me to return home a much disappointed and rather sorrowful being. 

 Next day, however, and for many days afterwards, I was again out ; 

 but although the coast has been searched for miles on either side of 

 the place where the bird was last seen, no traces of him can be 

 obtained; and thus it may be said has been lost one of the greatest 

 ornithological rarities which has visited us this many a day, for doubt- 

 less he has died of his wounds, and will rot unheeded in some hidden 

 and unknown spot. I am not aware that this species was ever met 

 with here before. 



Thomas Edward. 



Banff, September 28, 1858. 



Migratory Birds in the Isle of Wight, — The following dates were observed this 

 year at Bembridge : — 



SUMMER BIRDS FIRST SEEN. 



March 24. Wheatear (20th al Sandown) ; 



Chiffchaff. Wind E., light. 

 April 1. Swallow. Wind N.E., cold. 

 „ 6. Swallows (several). 

 „ 9. Redstart, Willow Wren, White- 

 throat, Cuckoo, Blackcap. 

 Wind E.N.E., cold. 

 „ 10. Titlarks (numerous), Nightin- 

 gale, Yellow Wagtail. Wind 

 S.E. 



April 13. Sandwich Tern. Wind S.E. 



„ 14. Sand Martin. Wind S.E. 



„ 16. Wryneck. 



„ 20. Whinchat. 



„ 30. Swift. 

 May 4. Turtle Dove. 



„ 5 ! House Martin. 



„ 6. Common Sandpiper. 



„ 6 to 8. Flycatcher. 



„ 11. Grasshopper Warbler. 



