W II I M BREL. 
NUMENIUS PIIJEOPUS. 
almost every portion of the English and Scoteh coasts with which I am acquainted this species has 
come under my observation during spring or autumn. Eor three or four successive seasons from May 1859, I 
remarked flocks, numbering from twenty or thirty up to flfty or even one hundred, resorting to the mudflats 
and tlie extensive sands about Ilye and Romney Marsh. At times these large bodies appeared to harbour 
about certain spots (particularly the Nook at Rye) for a week or fortnight, though in most instances I was 
led to believe our visitors remained only for a few hours, fresh-comers taking their places from day to day. 
I have seen a few stragglers, the advance-guard of the approaching multitudes, showing themselves as early 
as the latter end of April ; it was not, however, till early in May that the main flocks were looked for. 
Tenterden Pair, which was held about this time, was eagerly anticipated by the old gunners of this 
remote part, the “ Peterel (as these birds were termed in the district) being supposed to arrive in full force 
about or shortly after that date. The Bar-tailed Godwits, which also passed along the shore at this season, were 
known by the same title among the majority of these gunners. Occasionally I heard both species termed 
“May birds’’*. Whimbrel and Godwit will often settle in company on the flats when either resting or feeding, 
though on flight it is seldom that they are intermixed during the spring. As a rule, Whimbrel reach the 
Sussex coast shortly in advance of the main body of the Godwits. The alterations that have taken place in 
this locality , owing to the reclaiming of the mudflats, have gradually lessened the haunts of all the Wader 
family, and the numbers that now make any halt in the neighbourhood of their old quarters are small indeed. 
Whimbrcl still pass along the coast of Sussex at the same dates as formerly, though of late years the 
flocks that have come under my notice seldom consisted of above twenty or tliirty individuals ; I observed the 
same decrease on the east coast in spring. It is no uncommon occurrence for one or two, probably non- 
breeding birds of the previous season, to he noticed in these localities in June or July. During autumn I 
have seldom, either in Sussex, Norfolk, or the adjoining counties, remarked any large bodies in company, 
though the birds are constantly seen while on the return journey from their breeding-quarters in the north! 
Late stragglers not uncommonly delay their departure till the end of autumn; hut I have never met with 
this species m winter, though wildfowl-shooters on the south coast assert that they have occasionally seen 
them at that season. 
On more than one occasion during the autumn I have come across specimens of the Whimhrel so 
exceedingly diminutive that they might with good reason almost be supposed to belong to some other species 
I much regret that every individual of this small race that came into my possession has been lost sight of! 
consequently there are none to refer to for measurement. Under date of September 12, 1872, while gunnin- 
on Breydon mudflats, I And the following entry in my notes “ Wind still blowing strong from the north. 
This, I am well aware, is eontrary to the statements usually seen concerning the local names of these Waders. Many of the old gunners 
owevcr, in those days, did not appear to distinguish between the two species. 
