2 
15AR-TAILED GO U WIT. 
appear the most favourable quarters. Witli a strong wiud from west or south-west during the third week in 
May I liave seen large flocks of Waders flying in rapid succession direct in the face of the gale for several 
hours ; these were probably birds which had previously passed over Breydon flats, and made considerable 
progress on the passage Avhen tlie change set in, their line of flight being straight from the open sea. With a 
continuation of wind from south or west few, if any, of this species will make their appearance along 
the east coast, the course followed under such circumstances being some miles off the land, the "renter 
portion of tlie migrants missing our shores entirely*. I have on two or three occasions observed'’ lar"e 
flocks passing twenty or thirty miles from land; and fishermen, who were old gunners, assured me that they 
have met with all the various species of Waders in immense flights for several consecutive days outside 
the Dogger Bank, the quarters usually frequented by these Waders on the east-coast mudbanks bein" 
at such times almost completely deserted until a change of wind. On the return journey in the autumn 
the majority of our visitors arc young of the year. Though these birds arc occasionally seen at this 
season m large flocks, thc^ numbers that have come under my observation can by no means compare 
with the dense masses of Knots repeatedly met with on the shores of the Scotch firths. 
At the Little Ferry near Golspie, in Sutherland, I met with immense numbers of Godwits in full winter 
plumage in March 1809. A short extract from my notes may possibly give some idea of the aspect of 
the sands at the harbour-mouth on the evening of the 10th of March. It may be as well to state that I 
had during the day been shooting on the upper waters of this muddy estuary, and consequently driven 
many Maders and Mildfowl towards the coast. “On reaching the harbour, as there was still another hour 
o ayigit, ne dropped down to the bar, and on rounding the point came at once within view of 
le almost gatheiing of the feathered tribe I ever witnessed. Several acres of sand and mud as well as 
the intersecting pools to the west of the channel were densely packed with birds, while above the busy 
tilling hundreds and thousands of IVaders in flocks both large and small flew hither and thither, turnin" 
and tviisting with their well-known velocity, seeking an open space on which to alight. Oyster-Catchers 
were present in the largest numbers, especially conspicuous owing to their attractive colouriu". At no 
great distance (though each species kept for the most part separate) herds of Curlew were eagerl/exploriu" 
he ooze. Godwits, lOiots, Grey and Golden Plover, together with countless Dunlins, spread out in aU 
lice ions ovei le ats. Gulls by hundreds hovered over the channel or settled in the pools, while 
ormorants in small^ parties were ranged by the water-side. Brent Geese to the number of at least a 
couple of hundred with several bunches of Mallard and Wigeon, had dropped in the vicinity of the wash 
of the tide and cleaned and plumed their feathers regardless of the noisy multitude. In ‘the centre of 
floatetT tr I^ong-tailed Ducks, many exhibiting ti.e finest stages of plumage 
c ed quietly, paddling slowly against the flowing tide. Having no desire for slaughter, ti.e punt was 
voiked silently into a small creek, and the movements of the incessantly shifting birds quietly Watched 
.n hopes so„,e st.-aosers .night ho detected. At last the g.-aduall, i..e..oasi„g doo.n of a "u . ' 
...gh gave wa..„.„g that a ntove n.ast he n.ade, espceiallv as a landing would ..oed ,o he elt led I 
,»n W.th winch we wove hut little acquainted. On .-caching the fe.-.-,, ho.veve.-, the.-e .vaT lot the 
.g.test cause fo.- anx.ety. On the punt being sighted th.-ongh the dense haze, now d.-ifti.... in fro... 
body to r” sl.calings-wives. lads, a,.d h.ssies-.-ushcd .town i,. 
vJt rit , of it once out of .-each of the swell The 
cart-ied st.-ai.d.roff‘’to ’ l^,'™" Te “““ 
eveni.n> to' such of the n^ ““ootutuodation. A small g.-atnit.v handed ovet- the previous 
rendered assistance had led to this somewhat ludicrous reception.” 
* I am aware that my own experience as to tlte direction of llte wind most favourable for tlie arrival of Godwits 
corresponds with the statements of some writers. 
1 on the cast coast by no 
means 
