A HISTORY OF HEREFORDSHIRE Berrington, Shobdon, and the Moor near Hay, at all of which places it breeds ; also at Rhotherwas Pool and the moat, Whitbourne Court, and other places. 158. Little Bustard. Otis tetraXjlA-an. The specimen in the Hereford Museum came from the collection of the late Mr. Moss, who stated that it was shot in the neighbourhood of Dorstone, and this is the only record of its occurrence in the county. It was certainly shot many years ago and is badly stuffed, but is singularly light in colour. 159. Stone Curlew. Oedicnemus scolopax (S. G. Gmelin). Locally, Thick-Knee, Great Plover, Norfolk Plover, Whistling Plover, Stone Plover. A summer visitant, coming in April and leaving in October. One was killed at Lyde in 1854 and another at the same place on 27 November, 1894. This bird usually frequents wild uplands and plains, which latter arc not to be found in the county. 1 60. Pratincole. Glareola pratincola, Linn. A very rare visitor on migration during spring and autumn. The Hereford Museum specimen was shot at Fownhope in 1834. Some years since one of these birds was observed on the Wye, on the borders of Herefordshire, near Clyro, by the late Messrs. Basker- ville, of Clyro Court, who watched it for some time. 161. Cream-coloured Courser. Cursorius galRcus (J. F. Gmelin). The museum specimen of this rare bird was shot at Backney Marsh, near Ross, in 1854, and is the only record of its occurrence in the county. 162. Dotterel. Eudromias morinellus (Linn.). Locally, Dottrel, Dotterel Plover, Foolish Dottrel. This migrant, which arrives about the end of April and leaves in September, is a very rare visitor to Herefordshire. A flock were seen at Letton in 1878 by Mr. R. D. Chapman. One specimen was obtained about 1890, and afterwards seen and identified ; it was shot on the Black Mountains on the borders of Here- fordshire and Monmouthshire. On 2 2 September, 1 906, a young bird of the year was picked up at the bottom of the tower of All Saints' Church, Hereford, and brought to Mr. Pilley, who at once identified it. It was alive when he received it, but was so much injured that he killed it. 163. Ringed Plover. jiegiaMs Aiatkola (Lian.), Localy, Stonehatch, Sand Lark, Ring Dottrel. Of rare occurrence in the county ; the Hereford Museum specimen was killed at Backney Marsh, Ross. 164. Golden Plover. Charadrius fluvialis, Linn. Locally, Yellow Plover, Whistling Plover. Occurs generally in the winter. A few breed on the Black Mountains, where small flocks may often be seen in the winter. It has also been noted at Whit- church, and a pair were seen in the Lugg Meadows, Lugwardine, in April, 1 900. Ashdown mentions a local specimen (female) which was taken in June, 1890, with the characteristic dark breast (summer plumage) and was on view at the City Museum ; it belonged to Mr. W. de Winton. He adds that this species breeds sparingly in the county, two or three specimens in summer dress having passed through his hands, all killed within a narrow radius. A bird assuming winter plumage was taken at Dinmore early in Sep- tember, 1893. On 17 June, 1897, Mr. de Winton saw on the highest point of the Black Mountains a pair of golden plover in full breeding plumage, he says : ' The cock bird in his splendid breeding plumage and his manoeuvres and warnings to his mate were well worth seeing. The hen bird ran a considerable distance from the neighbourhood of the nest before rising, and I was much struck with the apparently much greater size of the cock bird which his rich black colouring and black breast gave him.' He did not search for the nest, seeing no advantage in un- necessarily disturbing the birds, but he was perfectly satisfied that a nest of eggs was there. This is the first time that it has actually been seen and recorded as breeding within the limits of the county, but two were observed by Mr. Enoch Drew on the Springfield estate, near Ross, in March, 1886. 165. Grey Plover. Squatarola helvetica (Linn.). This bird, which is essentially a seabird, has been only observed a few times in the county. Two were shot on Lugg Meadows, near Hereford, in 1878 ; one at Bacton and two at Old Castle in 1880, and the two specimens in the Hereford Museum were shot at Sugwas in 1882. 166. Lapwing or Peewit. Vanellus vulgaris (fiscYi^tmi,). Locally, Tewit, Teufit, Green Plover, Bastard Plover, Green Lapwing, Crested Lapwing. A very common resident, even more abundant than formerly (Southall). 167. Turnstone. Strepsilas interpres (Linn.). Locally, Hebridal Sandpiper. A rare visitor, scarcely ever being found far from the sea coast. The Hereford Museum specimen is labelled Backney Marsh, 1859, and is the only record for the county. 168. Oyster Catcher. Haematopus ostralegus, Lmn. Locally, Pied Oyster-catcher, Shelder, Sea-pie, Olive. An occasional visitor to the banks of the Wye and Lugg, but like the last-named bird seldom seen far from the sea coast. The three in the museum at Hereford were obtained as follows : one from Ross, one from Moccas, and the third was killed by Mr. R. D. Chapman on the Lugg Meadows, Hereford, in 1879. 169. Grey Phalarope. Phalarofus fulicarius (Linn.). Locally, Red Phalarope. A winter visitant, occurring occasionally in the county. One was shot at AUensmore in 1847, another at Backney Bridge in 188 1 (Blake), one on the Lugg Meadows, Hereford, in 1885, and another at Preston on Wye in 1886. Ashdown writes that in 1889 a boy brought him a perfect grey phalarope which he had caught under his cap in a meadow near Broomy Hill, Hereford, and this specimen was pur- chased by the City Museum committee for the museum. During the months of September and October, 1890, six specimens were sent him from Tenbury, Lugwar- dine, and the suburbs of Hereford. 144
