Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/191

Rh nessed an extraordinary immigration of small birds, amongst them many Turdidæ, besides Redpolls and other Finches, many of which fell exhausted on landing, some taking shelter in wheel-ruts in the sand. The chirp of a Sparrow particularly caught my attention, and Passer domesticus was distinguished as he flew by. Redbreasts were also noted. On Feb. 2nd, 1897, Fieldfares and Redwings were arriving in continuous flocks, as if it were an ordinary October migration. On the 3rd Larks were trooping in. Coarse winterly weather followed them. On Dec. 22nd, 1894, hundreds of Lapwings were coming over against a strong north-west gale. Many were drowned.

As to birds which fall exhausted in the sea and are drowned, there can be little doubt that numbers, especially of the smaller species—e.g. Chaffinches, Redpolls, and many others—perish in this way when overtaken by stress of weather; but few are seen washed up on the beach. Their disappearance may be accounted for by the presence at this time of numerous Gulls on the coast, which are eager to glean up any such flotsam that is almost sure to attract their notice as they ceaselessly patrol the restless sea. A sudden change of wind to an easterly point will sometimes drive a few of these unfortunate birds ashore. On Sept. 24th, 1881, during a walk along the north beach, I observed lying among the refuse three Common Buzzards, three Sparrowhawks, and a Harrier, which, with a few common species, had been overtaken by a storm and had perished. There had been that month an unusual immigration of raptorial birds, several others having met with an untimely end in the neighbourhood. I have also found in the wash and at the tide-mark at various times Guillemots, Razorbills, Crows, Merlins, and many others that have succumbed to fatigue or the violence of the storm. On one occasion I found the remains of quite a number of Kittiwakes (vide note on Kittiwake). When stranded these carcases are very soon stripped by Hooded Crows, which do not scruple to dine even off defunct members of their own genus.

In some years it is extremely interesting to watch the steady influx of migrants of various species, often indicative, to my mind, of a long and severe winter ensuing. At other times migration goes on scantily or spasmodically. It was my custom for several years, when living at the north part of the town, to watch these