BACKHOUSE : AVI-FAUNA OF UPPER TEESDALE. 363 



They breed regularly in suitable localities, usually selecting a 

 ' tussocky ' piece of ground among the acres of heather. 



Most of the birds arrive at their breeding places about March. 

 Towards the end of July they congregate in vast numbers upon 

 somefavouritefeeding ground, previous to taking their departure to 

 the coast, but some fewremain on the moors throughout the winter. 



102. Squatarola helvetica. Grey Plover. 



A pair was shot a few years ago at Middle End, in the neigh- ^ 

 bourhood of Middleton. 



103. Eudromias morinellus. Dotterel. 



Few mountains could be better suited to this interesting bird 

 than Crossfell, having its summit covered by hummocks of the 

 high mountain moss, Trichosiomiim lanugijiosum^ in which the 

 Dotterel loves to deposit its richly-marked eggs. A region, too, 

 frequently enveloped by thick fog, and somewhat difficult of 

 access. Such conditions induced the birds regularly to rear 

 their young upon Crossfell formerly, but the march of civihsation 

 and the favourite pastime of angling, for which their feathers are 

 largely in demand, have well-nigh driven them away altogether. 



During the past two or perhaps three years, I am not aware 

 that any Dotterels have been seen upon Crossfell, but odd 

 specimens keep turning up from time to time upon the lower fells. 



104. Vanellus vulgaris. Lapwing. 



Very common ; breeding throughout the valley. 



105. Hsematopus ostralegus. Oystercatcher. 

 Has once been known to occur in Lunedale. 



106. Scolopax rusticula. Woodcock. 



Found throughout the valley during the winter. They appear 

 in October and November, leaving again in February and March. 



107. Gallinago coelestis. Common Snipe. 

 Resident, and breeding regularly. 



108. Limnocryptes gallinula. Jack Snipe. 



Like the Woodcock in its migratory movements, but not very 

 numerous. 



109. Tringa alpina. Dunlin. 



Common in summer on the higher fells. Last year I found 

 them upon Mickle Fell, Meldon Fell, and Dun P^ell, upon all of 

 which mountains they breed, and also upon Green Fell and the 

 dividing ridge between Teesdale and Weardale. 

 no. Machetes pugnax. RufF. 



A Reeve is now and then killed by the Grouse shooters in 

 August or September. 



Nov. 1885. 



