Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis.—At Heligoland, July 3rd, E., passing over day and night in great numbers; 4th, about twenty young birds; 23rd and 24th, young birds; Aug. 10th, flights of hundreds, all young; 12th and 13th, northerly, fine, many high overhead; Sept. 3rd, great number of waders during night; 8th and 9th, great many; 16th, a.m., flights of dozens, p.m. flights of hundreds; Oct. 28th, many thousands over sea. At Farne Inner L.H., Aug. 12th to 28th, flocks to and from land every day; Nov. 23rd and 24th, all day. At Coquet Island L.H., Nov. 21st and Dec. 10th, all day. At Teesmouth, Sept. 25th, twenty seen. At Spurn L.H., Sept. 5th, flocks "Plover" N. to S. during day. At Great Cotes, Dec. 9th, immense flights, old birds. At Dudgeon L.V., Aug. 7th, 3 a.m. to midnight, in small parties, general direction W.; 25th, some; Oct. 28th, about one hundred to W. None at southern stations.[8] The young birds of the year migrate across Heligoland as early as the first week in July, and so on into August. The old birds later and in separate flocks. The migration of old birds as seen at Spurn going towards the north is exceptional, the rule on the east coast being a few old black-breasted birds in August and September, often with Lapwings, then flocks of young birds, and later in November the "great rush" of old birds.
[8] My friend Major Seddon, of Waltham, informs me that, when at Spurn with his yacht, on the night of Aug. 22nd, he saw thousands of Golden Plover passing north along the sea-shore in detached flocks, flying in lines and arrow-heads; he was near enough to see that the upper parts were speckled with the "golden drop," and the under parts mottled black and white, as if changing from the summer to the winter dress.
Grey Plover, Squatarola helvetica.—At Heligoland, June 15th, 16th, and 17th, repeatedly; not mentioned afterwards in report. At Spurn L.H., July 25th, three on the muds; Aug. 29th, two. On Essex coast, Aug. 14th, Major Russell saw a flock or two, all having black breasts. The young arrive in August and September; old birds later in October and November; a few old birds having black or mottled breasts are often seen in July or early in August. Some birds of the previous year, or in their second summer, sometimes remain on the coast during the summer.
Lapwing, Vanellus vulgaris.—At Heligoland, July 3rd, with many others high overhead, day and night; 4th, in astounding numbers with Curlews. At Farne Inner L.H., Aug. 12th to 28th, with Golden Plovers to and from land daily. At Coquet Island L.H., Nov. 16th to Dec. 30th, on several days; "rush," Nov. 21st and Dec. 10th. At Spurn L.H., Sept. 5th, flocks N. to S. during day. At Great Cotes, Oct. 20th, gale from N., flocks E. to W. At Outer Dowsing L.V., June 21st, two came on board; left at 9 a.m. for W. At Dudgeon L.V., Aug. 7th, 3 a.m. to midnight, "Plovers," small parties, general direction W. At Lynn Well L.V., Nov. 7th and 23rd, Dec. 20th and 29th, S.E. to N.W. At Hasboro' L.H., Nov. 15th, Gulls and Plovers to S.; Dec. 17th, "Plovers" to S. At Cockle L.V., July 10th, two Lapwings to N.W. At Galloper L.V., Oct. 28th, 9.20 a.m., thirty "Pewit" to N.W. At Swin Middle L.V., Sept. 20th, "six birds like Crows."[9] At Casquets L.H., Oct. 7th, 12 p.m., flock to N.W. Appear to have crossed at irregular times, and at some stations in considerable numbers; from July 3rd, at Heligoland, to the end of December, at Lynn Well and Coquet Island.
[9] To which my correspondent quaintly adds in a note, "the six birds like Crows which passed on the 20th, cried 'pee-weet' as they passed."
Dotterel, Eudromias morinellus.—At Heligoland, July 24th, one shot. At Teesmouth, a dozen seen about middle of September. Very rarely observed at British stations during the autumn migration.
Ringed Plover, Ægialitis hiaticula,—At Heligoland, July 1st, great many with Redshanks the whole day passing on high overhead; 3rd, same, day and night; 5th, same. At Swin Middle L.V., very large flocks of "Ox-birds"[10] passed, going N.W., in October, November, December, and January.
[10] Dunlin ?
Oystercatcher, Hæmatopus ostralegus.—At Coquet L.H., Aug. 16th, N.E., great numbers all day. At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., Aug. 16th, flock of "Mussel-crackers." At Hunstanton L.H., from Aug. 2nd for several weeks, large flocks of Oystercatchers and Curlews passing S.W. at ebb, returning E. at flood.
Dusky Redshank, Totanus fascus.—At Heligoland, June 15th, 16th, and 17th, repeatedly. Redshank, T. calidris, July 1st, great many whole day passing high overhead, and on 3rd, day and night, with many others; 5th, also many; Aug. 10th, one Dusky Redshank, a young bird; shot; Sept. 3rd, night, great many Totani and Tringæ; Sept. 8th, great many also.