322 Nelson : Red-crested Pochard in Clevela?id. 



and a further rise of six inches would have swept them away. 

 After this catastrophe the need of a watcher was surely more 

 urgent than ever, but we had no one in 1898 or 1899. In these 

 years systematic collection proceeded unchecked. I made 

 several visits in 1899, and on each occasion put to flight parties 

 of Spurn children engaged in egg-collecting-. One Grimsby 

 tripper alone took thirty-four eggs. As Mr. Grabham relates, 

 a watcher was employed this year (1900). I am afraid, however, 

 that it must still be reckoned amongst the bad seasons. A vessel 

 laden with timber was wrecked at Kilnsea in May and its cargo 

 washed up all along the Point. The collection of this occupied 

 the chief part of the nesting season, so that accidental destruc- 

 tion could hardly be avoided. The collectors, tqo, would gather 

 man) r , for the position of the nests was frequently discussed by 

 the labourers engaged, and it would be impossible to watch all. 

 A visit to a Tern colony at the close of the nesting season will 

 show clearly that the normal rate of infant mortality amongst 

 Lesser Tern is very high. Considering the added dangers which 

 attend the Spurn colony, it is surprising that it still exists. 



With regard to the Oysfercatcher (Hcematopus ostralegns) , 

 I may mention that I saw a party of six on the Spurn on 24th 

 June 1899 ; the most favourable locality for this species is, 

 I think, outside the protected area. 



I would call the attention of the committee to two other 

 points. We ought to obtain the absolute protection of all shore 

 birds on Sundays at present enjoyed by residents on the Norfolk 

 coast. This would prevent the wanton destruction of Gulls and 

 Herons on the Humber bank by Sunday sportsmen. It seems 

 incredible that such an ideal district as South Holderness should 

 possess no heronry of Ardea cinerea, though parties of twelve 

 (from Lincolnshire, I believe) may frequently be seen on the 

 Humber foreshore. The second concerns the Crested Grebe 

 (Podiceps cristatus) on Hornsea Mere, whose number shows no 

 increase. It is rumoured in Holderness that the eggs are taken 

 every year by dealers who visit Hornsea expresslyfor that purpose. 



NOTE— ORNITHOLOGY. 



Red-crested Pochard in Cleveland. — I observe in 'The Naturalist' 

 for October, p. 304, two notes of the occurrence of Fuligirta rztjina near 

 Redcar ; one above my signature and the other vouched for by Mr. J. W. 

 Fawcett, of Satley. 



It is evident they both refer to the same bird, which I obtained direct 

 from the shooter. It was set up by Mr. G. Mussell, of Middlesbrough, and ! 

 has not been in the possession of anyone else there. — T. H. Nelson, The 

 Cliffe, Redcar, 3rd October 1900. 



Naturalist, , 



