WOODCOCK. 599 



1882. Second week in October. 



1883. Fourth week in October. 



1884. Throughout October and up to mid-November. 



1885. 22nd to 24th October. N.E. gale. At Spurn 

 seventy-nine were secured by one party on the 24th. 

 Small red form. 



1886. Third week in October. 



Subsequently to the Migration Reports there were large 

 flights in 1888, in the first week of November ; in 1889, in 

 the second week of November ; and in 1890, on 20th to 22nd 

 October, when forty were killed at Flamborough. 



The general character of the migratory movements of this; 

 interesting species in Yorkshire is here briefly outlined ; 

 a few odd stragglers keep dropping in throughout October, 

 and until the November flight, after which we may conclude 

 the main body will be established in their winter haunts, 

 though occasionally in very severe weather, when birds are 

 " frozen out," local migrations may be observed. 



The vernal migration of the Woodcock is, probably, more 

 noticeable inland than on the coast ; at that period, March and 

 April, they may often be flushed in woods and spinneys, 

 especially if their departure be delayed by continuous easterly 

 winds. The late Prof. W. C. Williamson stated that at Scar- 

 borough they used to be shot in March, when prevented from 

 continuing their over-sea journey [P.Z.S. 1836, Vol. iv. p. 77), 

 and it is stated in the Annual Register for the year 1799, 

 that " Many Woodcock, with Plovers and Crows, were cast 

 ashore in Holderness, during a great snowstorm on the 4th of 

 April." At Redcar I have noticed them in mid- April, and 

 in 1891 they remained for several days in the vicinity of the 

 coast during stormy weather while, doubtless, awaiting a 

 favourable opportunity for continuing their journey and 

 crossing the North Sea. At Flamborough and Spurn, also, 

 they have been noted on the vernal passage. 



A species of such general distribution needs but little 

 further notice in that respect ; as is well known to most 

 naturalists and sportsmen, on its first arrival it may be flushed 

 in almost any place : hedgerows, on moors, amongst bracken, 



VOL. II. Q 



