ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MID-WALES.
By J.H. Salter.
Though rather late to record the fact, it may be worth noting that an unusually large flock of Bar-tailed Godwits visited the estuary of the Dovey about the first week in September, 1895. Mr. F.T. Feilden tells me that on the day of their arrival he walked to within forty yards of them, and that the flock could not have numbered less than two hundred. Later in the day he got a shot at part of them with a four-bore gun, and bagged eleven, and one Curlew Sandpiper; and a few days later a second shot bagged nine, and one Knot. On Dec. 9th of the same year, at Penglais House, I found, amongst various stuffed birds obtained by the late Captain Richards, a local specimen of the Waxwing, and also the only Cardiganshire Dotterel of which I have any knowledge.
Owing to absence from home I have no notes for the spring and summer of 1896. As already recorded, the late September gales of that year brought an unusual visitation of Sabine's Gull. As far as I can learn, eight were obtained in the course of the three days (Sept. 24th-26th). Another was seen on Sunday morning (27th), and the last one was obtained on the morning of Oct. 8th—which will be long remembered here for its gale and high tide—making in all nine taken, ten seen. A young Black Tern and Grey Phalaropes were obtained at the same time.
On Oct. 22nd, 1896, a Chaffinch was singing its imperfect autumn song, which I have very rarely heard, though Mr. O.V. Aplin (Zool. 1894, p. 412) states that he hears it every year. On Oct. 30th I listened to the Missel Thrush's autumn song, which I only recollect to have heard upon one previous occasion. Common Buntings and a Cirl Bunting were singing freely upon Christmas Day. The latter, an increasing species here, has sung at intervals all through the past autumn and mild winter.
The remainder of my notes refer to the past year.
