REDWING. 7 



of the latter month, in 1892, I noticed a passage of Redwings 

 at Redcar, during a north-east gale, with heavy snow, and 

 many were reported at Flamborough light on the 7th and 

 8th February 1899. ^^ ^^79 '^^^ various migrations of the 

 Redwing extended on the east coast over 65 days, from the 

 nth September to the 2nd December ; in 1880, from the 

 6th September to the 29th October 54 days ; and in 1881 

 it extended over three months. There were great flights 

 with other small birds in October 1882, but in the year 1885 

 the greatest " rush " ever known occurred. It took place 

 in two flights, from the 15th to the 17th October, night and 

 day, and again from the 7th to the 17th November (Sixth 

 Migration Report). At Redcar, on 21st to 23rd October 

 1884, there was an incessant day and night migration. I 

 heard flocks passing overhead during the small hours of 

 morning on each of these dates, and saw many crossing 

 between 9 a.m. and dusk. Rushes took place also at Spurn 

 and Flamborough in October 1896 and 1898. Like others 

 of their genus, they are sometimes killed by striking against 

 the lanterns at the lighthouses. After their arrival they 

 become generally distributed and common over the county 

 throughout the winter, save in very severe seasons, when 

 they either move further south or perish in great numbers — 

 this species being the first to feel the pangs of hunger — 

 and become conspicuous by their absence. 



During the excessively severe weather in December 1878, 

 there was an immense migration of these birds on the Cleve- 

 land coast. A heavy snowstorm, with a gale from the north- 

 east, commenced on the 9th, and flocks of Redwings, with 

 a few Fieldfares and other small birds, passed over all day, 

 going north-west, both along shore and over the sand-hills. 

 This passage continued almost without intermission, while 

 daylight prevailed, until the 12th, when the Redwings became 

 fewer, and Fieldfares predominated until the 21st, then 

 the migration ceased. Thousands succumbed, or were so 

 pinched by hunger that they actually entered the busy 

 thoroughfares of Leeds and other towns in search of food. 



