BIRDS Y^oung birds occur from time to time in autumn, and two were shot at Aldeburgh in January, 1871, rather an unusual date, one of which is in the Ipswich Museum. It is a larger bird than the common redshank, with longer legs and beak in proportion to its size, and has no white on the wing. 232. Greenshank. Totanus canescem (J. F. , Gmelin) A spring and autumn visitant, the young birds often fairly plentiful in autumn. In 1880 Mr. Charles Clarke took an egg between the martello tower and the Orford light- house believed to have been a greenshank's, both from the character of the egg itself and from his description of the birds, which were very white underneath and kept up a shrill whistling overhead. This bird breeds in fair numbers in the north of Scotland. 233. Bar-tailed Godwit. Limosa lapponica (Linn.) A spring and autumn migrant arriving on passage about the middle of May, when Mr. Patterson has seen hundreds on Breydon {Zoologist^ I90i> P- 104)- The young birds come in August and September and are often easily approached and shot, as perhaps they never see a human being at close quarters till they reach the British coast. They are ex- cellent eating and often sold in numbers by game dealers. Most of those which come in autumn move on after a short stay, but some remain through the winter, and in January, 1903, a considerable number were shot. 234. Black-tailed Godwit. Limosa belglca Q. F. Gmelin) Though there is ample evidence of this bird breeding in East Anglia till about 1847 no record has been kept of its having done so in Suffolk. It is now only a rare visitant in late summer or autumn, the last occurrence being one shot on the Orwell 8 October, 1902, by Mr. Hudson of Ipswich, who re- corded it in the Field. Many are imported from the continent both alive and dead, and sometimes unblown eggs can be bought in Leadenhall market. 235. Common Curlew. Numenius arquata (Linn.) Some curlews remain on the coast all the year but none breed in the eastern counties, though they do so numerously in the north of England. There is plenty of common land in east Suffolk well suited to their habits in the breeding season, and it is quite possible that they bred here formerly. Many come in autumn, and from reports forwarded from various light-stations the glare of the lantern seems to have more attraction for them than for most birds, as ' many round lantern ' is a frequent entry. Their loud whistle is often recognized as they pass over on migration at night, and Mr. Travis has heard them going over Bury. Curlews vary a good deal in size and weight as well as in length of bill. 236. Whimbrel. Numenius phaopus (Linn.) Locally, May-bird or Bream. Its regular appearance in May will account for the first local name given for this spring and autumn migrant, but to explain the latter, which Mr. G. T. Rope gives as * Brame' {Zoologist, 1878, p. 290), is difficult. The whimbrel frequents the coast, tidal rivers and marshes near the sea and is rarely met with inland except on migration. Its only breeding places in the British Isles are in Orkney and Shetland. 237. Eskimo Curlew. Numenius borealis (J. R. Forster) A very rare American species of which Mr. Hele writes : ' One shot some years ago on the river by Capt. Ferrand, but unfortunately not preserved. A specimen in very similar dress was obtained on the Woodbridge river and was in the collection of the late Mr. Hilling of that town ' {Notes about Aldeburgh, ed. 1 890, p. 98). There is no record of any other in England. 238. Black Tern. Hydrochelidon nigra (Linn.) This is another species which doubtless bred in Suffolk a century ago, and it is now not rare as a spring and autumn visitant. It sometimes comes to inland waters, where its singularly graceful flight and dusky colouring cannot fail to attract notice, while its tameness renders it an easy and most interesting bird to watch. One was seen on Bartonmere for some hours on 20 April, 1895, hawking for insects over the water like a swallow, and it seems in spring to be almost entirely an in- sect feeder. As many as forty have been seen on Breydon during the migration in May (Patterson, Zoologist, 1901, p. 105). The young birds which appear in September are greyish-brown above and white below, and can be recognized by having the feet only half-webbed. 239. White-winged Black Tern. Hydrocheli- don leucoptera (Schinz) This rare southern species has only been recognized as a British bird since 1841, and was not known to have visited Breydon till 1871, when the late Mr. E. T. Booth killed 209
