Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/70

48 during a long day's ramble at Spurn and on the Yorkshire coast. Large flocks, composed almost entirely of immature birds, came into the east-coast stubbles during the last week in November.

It has been a wretched Woodcock season—not for the cocks, but for the sportsmen. The earliest I heard of was shot at Seaton Snook, Durham, on the 5th October. Very few have been noticed at Flamborough. At Spurn I hear of four having been seen, and in East Lincolnshire of only two or three. The great flight probably arrived on the Durham coast on the 20th and 21st October, as will be seen from the lighthouse notes at the end of this paper.

Like the Woodcocks, the "Woodcock-pilots," as the Little Gold-crested Wren is called, have been equally conspicuous by their absence, and scarcely any have been reported by my correspondents from any part of the north-east coast between Spurn and North Durham.

The Common Wren was very plentifully distributed on the "marram"-covered sand-dunes of Spurn on the 17th and 18th October. Mr. Gätke, writing November 14th, says, "My garden has been swarming to-day with them. Not only are they very common here during both periods of migration, but some, quite content and happy, stay with us all the winter."

The first flocks of Fieldfares, twenty and thirty together, appeared at Great Cotes during the last week in October. At Spurn flocks of Fieldfares came in on the 18th.

The most remarkable immigration, extending over about six weeks, has been that of the Blackbirds. The first flights must have arrived on our coast during, or directly after, the great gale from the S.W. on the night of October 14th. There was a great rush of Blackbirds coming from the north on or about the 26th November. On the morning of the 27th we had unusual numbers of migratory Blackbirds, almost approaching to flocks, in the hedgerows nearest the coast; these only remained about twenty-four hours, and then resumed their journey. From Spurn Lighthouse the Principal reports to me as follows:—"Nov. 26th, 4 P.M. Wind S., gentle breeze and misty drizzle. Blackbirds continually passing to the westward." From Flamborough Head Lighthouse I also find, as reported by the Principal—"Nov. 26th. Blackbirds about sixty in number; hour of striking 8.30 P. M. Wind S.W., fresh breeze, misty." Also others on the night of the 27th and 29th. From Whitby North Lighthouse the Principal writes at the same