436 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



within half a mile of the old Coatham Decoy. It used to breed 

 plentifully at Hornsea Mere, where as many as sixty drakes 

 have been flushed in May, when the ducks were engaged either 

 sitting or attending to their young ; latterly the disturbance 

 by boat-sailing reduced the numbers, though some still nest 

 there and are now strictly protected. 



In the autumn large quantities of foreign fowl arrive on 

 the coast, and the species then becomes more generally 

 diffused. As early as the third week of August I have observed 

 flocks of Grey Duck, as they are locally termed, passing 

 along shore, and, on the 17th of that month in the year 1881, 

 several flights were noticed, of from two hundred to five 

 hundred in each, off the Cleveland coast. They are also 

 occasionally seen in September, though there is a possibility 

 of these early birds being of local origin, for the main body 

 does not, as a rule, put in an appearance until October or 

 November. In some seasons the migration continues for 

 days together, but it would be tedious to recapitulate all 

 the " great rushes " of such a regular visitant. If the weather 

 is fme when migration is progressing, the route taken lies a 

 considerable distance out at sea, but in storms with on-shore 

 gales, the flocks are compelled to hug the coast and so are 

 brought under observation. On 30th October 1900, during 

 an easterly gale, the heaviest migration known for many 

 years took place ; and in the winter of 1903-04 Mallard were 

 exceptionally numerous about Christmas, as, owing to the 

 disastrous effects of the wet autumn, the corn and bean crops 

 were scattered on the ground, and great numbers of Duck 

 resorted to the stubbles to feed, where they supplied excellent 

 sport for flight-shooters. This bird figures in the list of 

 " casualities " at the lanterns of our coast beacons. 



A very remarkable incident occurred at Redcar in the 

 winter of 1879 > ^^^ sea, rising suddenly in the night, surprised 

 a flock of Mallard resting on the water near the shore, when 

 a heavy wave fell amongst them, stunning and washing ashore 

 several birds, which were picked up in a dazed condition 

 on the sands next morning. About the year 1850, as I have 

 been told by an old fisherman, a similar event happened. 



