[31] See footnote Report for 1883, p. 50, on the night of Golden Plover northward in August.
Squatarola helvetica, Grey Plover. Spurn, Aug. 24th, about twenty adults in summer plumage; Sept. 5th, about one hundred and fifty, of which a third were in summer plumage, probably all adults (H. H. S.). Cley and Blakeney, Sept. 5th, several, the first seen (F. D. P.)
Ægialitis hiaticula, Ringed Plover.—Spring: Spurn, April 19th, nest with four eggs. Longstone L.H., May 4th, nest with four eggs. Very numerous on migration at Spurn, Aug. 20th to Sept. 10th, there was a small ploughed field on which probably a thousand collected every night (H. H. S.). Heligoland, June 28th, several hundreds young. Ægialitis cantiana, Kentish Plover. Languard L.H., Aug. 12th, one.
Eudromias morinellus, Dotterel.—Spring, Great Cotes, May 8th, seven. Autumn: Cley and Blakeney, Sept. 5th, W.N.W., five, one alone showing some rufous on lower, parts of breast and flanks (F. D. P.). Easington, near Spurn, Oct. 11th and 13th, seven. Heligoland, August 31st, some.
Vanellus vulgaris, Lapwing.—Great flights on to the coast throughout October to Nov. 12th. Rushes, Coquet L.H., Oct. 8th, great numbers all day; Redcar, 25th, continuous to N.W.; Tees L.V., 22nd and 23rd, large flights to N.W.; and in November at Redcar on the 1st and 3rd throughout the morning; 5th, all day; 8th, same. Hasboro' L.V., 12th, 10 p.m. to sunrise on 13th, and Jan. 3rd, 1885, night, quantities round lantern. Heligoland, July 27th to 28th, great numbers, and to Aug. 25th, daily.
Strepsilas interpres, Turnstone.—Farn, Aug. 13th, S.S.W., hundreds in flocks all day. Spurn, Aug. 20th to Sept. 10th, plentiful and increasing in numbers.
Himantopus ostralegus, Oystercatcher.—Spurn, Aug. 20th to Sept. 10th, a few at intervals.
Phalaropus fulicarius, Grey Phalarope.—Felixstowe, Sept. 9th, one shot. Longstone L.H., Nov. 2nd, one swimming in pool near lighthouse.
Scolopax rusticula, Woodcock.—Spring: Spurn, March 15th, one. Farn Islands, 25th, one; and again on April 28th. At Twigmoor, Lincolnshire, young Woodcocks were hatched early in May.[32] Autumn: The first is recorded at Coquet L.H. on Sept. 1st; the last at Hasboro' L.V., Jan. 20th, 1885, one caught at night. The migration covered 142 days, the bulk arriving between Oct. the 5th and Nov. 22nd. What is usually termed by sportsmen the 'first flight' came in on the nights of the 5th and 6th of October, wind easterly; another flight between the 10th and 16th; the 'great flight' on the night of the 28th, N.W. strong, with rain and colder weather; on the 29th, forty were shot in one locality on the Lincolnshire coast; there was again a second "great flight" from the 11th to 13th of November. Independent of these rushes, Woodcocks have been dropping in either singly or by two's and three's throughout the last three months in the year, and more or less over the whole coast line. Altogether the migration has been much more desultory and prolonged than any previously recorded by us. Heligoland, Oct. 6th, some; 12th, some; 14th, twenty shot; 15th, about thirty shot; 19th, less; 23rd, some; 25th, twenty to thirty shot; 29th, forty to fifty on island—night, about ten caught at lighthouse; 30th, thirty to forty caught or shot; Nov. 1st, some; 3rd, full moon, numbers flying about island, two or three together; 12th, ten or twelve shot; 16th, ten or fifteen shot; 22nd, several; 28th, twenty shot and two caught; 30th, some; Dec. 26th, one.
[32] Woodcocks bred in Great Britain invariably leave in the autumn in August and September, and their place is taken some weeks later by others coming from the north. Woodcocks found on the East Coast in March are either such as have wintered in these islands and are now on their return journey, or in some cases our English birds returning to their nesting haunts.