A HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE morable migration of 1866, when upwards of 500 are said to have been slaughtered throughout the country, an old female was killed near Pangbourne on September 19, and two others at Newbury, September 27, 1866 ; one at Oare, October 20, 1869; one at Newbury, November 10, 1890 (Herbert, Newbury District Field Club Report, p. 95), and another was shot at Wargrave Ferry, October 24, 1870 (Zool. 1871, p. 2442); but the most recent captures that have come under my notice are two killed near Mortimer, October 24, 1891 (G. A. Topp in lit.}, and two others taken on October 16 in the same year between Tilehurst and Reading (G. W. Bradshaw in lit.). 174. Woodcock. Scolopax rusticula, Linn. The woodcock is a well known autumn migrant, in some years more plentiful than in others, though never abundant. A few remain to breed, and nests have been found in Bagley Wood (Fauna and Flora of Radley and Neighbourhood, p. 13), and one hatched off at Bucklebury in 1885 (Palmer, 'Birds of Newbury and District '). 175. Great Snipe. Gallinago major (Gmelin). The 'solitary snipe,' as this bird is often named, is only an occasional and somewhat rare autumn visitor. Dr. Bowdler Sharpe has recorded one from near Cookham about 1860 (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 195). During the winter of 1880 we twice flushed one of these birds from the water meadows at Hennerton when shooting with the owner, but although near enough to be sure of the identification the specimen was unfortunately not procured. Mr. Newton informs me that one in his collection was shot near Walling- ford in October, 1893. In October, 1874, another was shot near Hungerford (Birds of Wilts, p. 428). 176. Common Snipe. Gallinago ccelestis (Frenzel). Although generally regarded as a winter migrant an increasing number remain to breed with us, and in some favoured spots a fair proportion may be found throughout the year. Several nests have been observed on the care- fully preserved Thatcham Marsh ; eggs have been taken on the Blackwater meadows near Wellington College (Nat. Science Report) ; Dr. Palmer mentions nests near Newbury ('Birds of Newbury and District'); and there is evidence of its having bred near Wokingham ('Ornith. Bercheria '). I have often seen old birds in the meadows near Wargrave in sum- mer, but I am not aware that the nest has been found in that locality. 177. Jack Snipe. Gallinago gallinula (Linn.). This species is a regular winter migrant, but always in very limited numbers. They arrive in October as a rule, but occasionally an odd bird may be flushed in September. On first arriving they often take up very unlikely quarters, high dry ground far from water, and it was in such a situation that I shot a male at Park Place on October 2, 1894. 178. Dunlin. Tringa alpina, Linn. Clark Kennedy says, ' The dunlin is a pass- ing visitant to the banks of the Thames, where however it is never very common ' (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 145) ; he also mentions that the Rev. Geo. Jeans has shot dunlins near Windsor and along the banks of the river. Personally I have never met with this bird in the county, neither can I find any recent records ; but Mr. Newton informs me that he has specimens taken 3^ miles from Wallingford. The dates are wanting. 179. Knot. Tringa canutus, Linn. Two of these birds were shot near Reading in 1795 ('Ornith. Bercheria'); and another, according to Dr. Sharpe, was killed during the winter of 1865 near Cookham (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 195). 1 80. Sanderling. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). A male and female shot near Wokingham February, 1795 ('Ornith. Bercheria'). 181. Ruff. Machetes pugnax (Linn.). A ' reeve,' as the female of the ruff is called, was killed near Cookham and recorded by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe in the ' sixties ' (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 194). 182. Common Sandpiper. Totanus hypoleucus (Linn.). Locally, Summer Snipe. This is a passing spring and summer visitor. In late April or early May it may be seen along the banks of the Thames, on the sides of ditches in water meadows or the margins of pools ; and at this season the majority stay but a short time, though a few remain throughout the summer, and there is some evidence, not yet complete, that they may have bred. On the return journey the stay is longer, though all have departed by the end of September. 162
