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WILDFOWL OF THE NOETH-EAST COAST : 



THEIR HAUNTS AND HABITS. 



In physical conformation the north-east coast of England 

 is not well adapted to the requirenients of wDdfowl. 

 Geographically, no doubt, it forms the objective point of 

 the trans-oceanic journeys of a large proportion of those 

 migratory hosts from northern Europe and Asia which, every 

 autumn, direct their flight upon our islands. Great num- 

 bers of these certainly " make the land" within the limits 

 so defined ; but there is little attraction to induce them to 

 remain here. They are aware, or soon discover, the defi- 

 ciency of suitable resorts congenial to their tastes ; and, in 

 consequence, after brief periods of rest, move on to localities 

 offering a greater measure of their desiderata. These chance 

 casual visits, or " through transits," of wildfowl are of but 

 little value to the fowler, occurring so irregularly, and with- 

 out calculable or presumptive fixity of date. There is no 

 " North-Sea Bradshaw " available to disclose their probable 

 arrivals or departures. Hence the pursuit of wildfowling 

 in the north-east is limited to a few enthusiasts, and is 

 carried on more as a matter of local convenience than 

 otherwise — it may be said to be pursued rather in spite 

 of disadvantages than by reason of any special facilities 

 which this coast afi"ords. 



The north-eastern seaboard is too straight and exposed, 

 and its configuration is wanting in those irregularities of 

 outline which denote sheltered bays and land-locked waters, 

 the abundance of which on a map — say, of western Ireland 

 — give that coast so attractive an appearance to the eye of a 

 wildfowler. The coast line from the Humber to the Forth 



