170 C. AND H. CANDLER’S NOTES FROM THE NETHERLANDS. 
is a good starting-point for an exploration of the coast region. For 
some distance to the north of the sclierm the trough between 
the inner and outer line of hills is dry and devoid of bird life, 
producing few plants but the Marrum (the helmplanting to which 
the Dutch owe so much), the- Sea Buckthorn,* and one or two 
Hieracia. Half an hour’s walking, however, brought us to the 
first of a series of pools and marshy hollows, some of lai’ge extent, 
some mere puddles, formed by the breaking through of the sea in 
high tides and winter storms. In the swampy depressions and 
upon the margins and islets of the little lakes a great number of 
birds were breeding. The Redshanks were most numerous, and 
made a great clamour as we invaded their haunts ; but mingled 
with their cries we heard the unfamiliar jiotes of many other 
species, which, having no field ornithologist in our party, we 
could not safely identify. The most noticeable bird among these 
sandhills was the Sheldrake — the Bergeend of the Dutch— which 
was breeding here in considerable numbers. The birds were tame, 
and would allow a near approach ; passing constantly in small 
parties from the dunes to the pools, and alighting on the water 
with a splash and a loud kraak, kraak, they added much to the 
animation of a scene full of life and colour. Upon the open 
marsh w r e picked up a couple of Sliellduck’s eggs ; the common 
Wild Duck was breeding here, and the Oyster-catcher was very 
conspicuous ; but of the Avocet, the chief object of our search, we 
saw nothing. 
On the seaward side of the Texcl sandhills there is generally, at 
least in summer, a great breadth of level shell-strewn sand, shelving 
very gradually into the sea. About midway between the Koog and 
Cocksdorp there is now lying, just below high-water mark, the 
wreck of a stranded English steamer the “ Benbrach.” We paid a 
visit to the vessel and found a party of English workmen on board 
dismantling her, and among them a young Dutchman, who professed 
a knowledge of the birds of the district ; accordingly we took him 
with us as a guide, but he proved a disappointment, though lie 
* In September the berries of the Sea Buckthorn ( Hippophne rhamnoides ) 
arc greedily devoured by the small song birds and by Thrushes, thousands of 
which, we were told, were caught here iu snares. At this season Lijsterbessen 
(thrush berries), the fruit of the Mountain Ash, are a readily saleable article 
of trade. 
