200 
SCOLOPAClDiE. 
Inch. Line. 
Length of hind toe and nail - 8 
Tibia bare for . . 11 
Another bird, being weighed, was 15 oz. 
Over Great Britain generally, as well as Ireland, the whimbrel 
moves northward on its vernal migration, in large flocks. It 
is found in summer extensively throughout the most noilhern 
parts of Europe. In the Orkney Islands, it is said to breed 
as commonly as the curlew; but to remain no longer than 
is necessary to rear its young.* It was seen in great numbers in 
many places along the coast of Norway, but especially about 
Trondjeim (Drontheim), during the summer of 1813, by my late 
friend, Mr. G. Matthews, to whom and his companions it proved, 
annoying by enticing the dogs away when grouse were sought for» 
THE SPOTTED REDSHANK. 
Dusky Sandpiper. 
Totanus fuscusy Linn, (sp.) 
Scolojjax fusca, „ 
Is an extremely rare visitant. 
The following notice of a single individual contains all that can 
be positively stated of this species as an Irish bird. A brief com- 
munication respecting it was made to the first volume of the ^ An- 
nals of Natural History^ (p. 157). 
When a very young sportsman, and out shooting in Holywood 
rabbit-warren, bordering Belfast Bay, on the morning of the 22nd 
of August, 1823, I perceived at a distance a solitary bird, whose 
call resembled that of the redshank, but was somewhat different, 
winging its way over the sea towards Belfast. To my surprise 
and delight, however, the stranger made a sudden turn and 
* Dunn, 'Ornithological Guide to Orkney and Shetland,’ p. 85. 
