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BIRDS under the writer's observation which was shot by a schoolfellow at Milton, in September 1884, and one was shot at Offley in 1886. According to Mr. J. Cole they used to be more common on the Dunstable downs than elsewhere, and he has received one to be stuffed which was killed in that locality so re- cently as 1894 ; a year or two previously he had two immature birds that had been shot between Luton and Dunstable, a quantity of the down being still upon them. 159. Dotterel. Eudromias morinellus (Linn.) Formerly common along the chalk-hill range running through the south of the county, but occurring far more freely in spring than during their autumn movements. Mr. J. Cole shot three near Luton in 1891, and Mr. J. C. Wright mentions that two were killed about 1875 on the high land known as Bandy-Knowles, between Clifton andShefford. Mr. A. Covington has one in his possession killed at Oakley previous to 1840, and has seen another, a very fine plumaged bird that was shot many years ago at Milton ; the most recent occurrence he mentions was one shot at Bolnhurst about 1892. 160. Ringed Plover. /Egialitis hiaticula (Linn.) Although far more frequently observed during the spring and autumn, I do not think there is a month when this bird does not occur ; with the exception of the dunlin it is probably the commonest seafaring wader that visits us, frequently staying for several days together. The sewage farm at Newnham seems to offer it far greater attraction than any other locality, and it is here that most specimens are obtained. In other parts of the county it is of somewhat unusual occur- rence, evidently preferring any open shallow waters to the attractions of our waterways. 161. Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvialis, Linn. A common winter visitant, and may be observed more or less frequently in all parts of the county, although it is as a rule very con- servative in its sleeping and feeding haunts. It occurs in the fields bordering the Ouse and Ivel with great regularity, and in the district between Newnham, Goldington and Willing- ton it may, in company with the lapwing, frequently be observed in thousands together. It is seen on the lands between Clifton and Langford, especially in the neighbourhood of Langford Common, also at Stondon and in the fields along the roadside between Bedford and Bromham and in many other localities. 162. Lapwing. Vanellus vulgaris, Bechstein. Locally, Peewit. Fairly abundant, but somewhat local as a resident. In the autumn its numbers are swelled considerably by continental arrivals, which in some years are very numerous. 163. Oyster-Catcher. Hamatopus ostralegus, Linn. Of occasional occurrence. Mr. A. Cov- ington mentions one shot near Longholm, close to the town of Bedford, during a heavy snowstorm either in 1866 or the following year, and according to Dr. Sprigge three oyster- catchers appeared at Great Barford about July 1880. 164. Black-winged Stilt. Himantopus candi- dus, Bonnaterre. One instance of this rare straggler's occur- rence within the county can be recorded. It was shot about 1855 from Pinfold Hole, a disused sandpit situated by the roadside be- tween Chicksands and ShefFord. Through the kindness of Mr. C. Tanqueiay I was enabled to examine this particular specimen. 165. Grey Phalarope. Phalaropus fulicarius (Linn.) Occurs at rare intervals whilst on migra- tion, especially during its autumnal movements. On 22 September 1866 one that is in the possession of Mr. A. Covington was killed from the Elstow Brook, and a second specimen was received by him from Beeston, which had been shot whilst swimming about on a farm pond 2 October 1879. Both were re- markably tame, and the plumage in both instancies intermediate between the summer and winter dress. Dr. Sprigge has one in his possession which was killed about 1875 by a keeper at Tempsford. Two have passed through the hands of Mr. T. Cane of Luton, and would probably be the same birds as re- corded by Davis, one of which was killed from some water alongside the high road. Mr. J. S. Wright has also had a locally obtained specimen to set up. Another example was observed about 1885 by Mr. J. King whilst it was swimming about on his flooded meadows. 166. Red-necked Phalarope. Pbahiropushyper- boreus (Linn.) A very rare visitant on migration. The Rev. E. W. Boling has a specimen, evidently a female, which was shot on the glebe pond at Houghton Conquest on 1 June about [29 17