28 Messrs. SuEPPARD and WurrzAn's Catalogue 
a very extraordinary migration of small birds was witnessed at 
Little Oakley in Essex. The attention of the observer was 
arrested by an uncommon chattering of birds, and looking up 
he beheld an incredible number of small birds flying a-breast, 
in a line extending as far as the eye could distinguish them, and 
three or four yards deep. Their direction was towards the south- 
east, the wind favouring them ; their height only a few yards 
from the ground. The flock was supposed to consist principally of 
Chaffinches, Linnets, Twites, and Bramblings. None of the two 
latter species were seen in the neighbourhood after that time : 
and there is on those shores in the winter season an immense 
quantity of Linnets, more than can be bred in the neighbour- 
hood. | 
9. F. Spinus (Siskin). 
Small flocks of Siskins are occasionally seen in Norfolk and 
Suffolk during the winter season, particularly in severe weather. 
À flock of them was observed at Sturston as late as the 4th of 
March, 1820. "They kept up a constant twittering as they flew 
briskly from tree to tree, apparently for the purpose of keeping | 
the flock together. The twittering of this bird very much re- 
sembles that of the Lesser Redpole. — e 
10. F. Linaria (Lesser Redpole). 
11. F. Carduelis (Goldfinch). 
Genus XXIV. Cocurvs. 
1. C. canorus (Cuckoo). 
The opinion still prevails among the vulgar in Suffolk, that 
Cuckoos are transformed into Hawks in winter.—On July 31st, 
1816, 
