Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/362

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THE ZOOLOGIST.

Coot (Fulica atra).—Mr. F. Styan informs me that in former years, when this species was much more abundant on Frensham Great Pond than it is now, an annual battue used to be held there in autumn, on which occasions large numbers were killed. In 1880 over a hundred were shot on the first day, and upwards of fifty on the second.

Stone Curlew (Œdicnemus scolopax).—Mr. J. Mitchell informs me that in the summer of 1900 he observed two pairs in the county, which were undoubtedly nesting; he does not wish me to indicate the locality precisely.

Dotterel (Eudromias morinellus).—Mr. Mansell, the well-known taxidermist, of Farnham, informed Mr. Mitchell, in 1880, that about thirty years before that date he saw a small flock of five on the margin of Frensham Pond, three of which were shot and preserved by him. One of these would probably be the specimen mentioned by Mr. Spicer in this Journal (1854, p. 4367) as having been killed near Farnham shortly prior to that date, and as then in his collection (vide 'Birds of Surrey,' p. 285).

Ringed Plover (Ægialitis hiaticula).—A specimen was shot at West Molesey on May 7th, 1878, and preserved by Mr. F. Yearley (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Oystercatcher (Hæmatopus ostralegus).—A specimen was shot on the Thames, at East Molesey, in the autumn of 1872, and was preserved by Mr. F. Yearley (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius).—Mr. R.W. Courage had a specimen which he shot shortly prior to 1880, in the autumn, near Thursley (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola).—In and before the 'eighties the Woodcock nested regularly every year in the Thursley district, where Mr. R.W. Courage found the nest. In one morning during the winter of 1879–80, a Mr. R. Mason and another gun killed fifteen near Haslemere (F. Styan and J. Mitchell). Mr. Birley informs me that he knew of the nest in 1886 at Lingfield. This nest, which is referred to in this Journal in 1887, p. 194, had a curious history. It was first noticed by Mr. Herbert Fisher's gamekeeper on the 11th of April; it then contained five Woodcock's eggs and two Pheasant's eggs. One of the Woodcock's eggs was slightly cracked, and another much damaged. On the 16th of April, Mr. Fisher himself went to the nest, and