98 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



in the dale and moorland districts of the county, where 

 stone walls are in vogue, and the habitations of man are 

 few and far between, it is not very abundant ; but it is 

 usually to be found where its requirements are existing ; 

 a great increase has been noted south of Sheffield during 

 the last few years. 



As an immigrant from the Continent, however, it is 

 worthy of further consideration at our hands. A summer 

 visitant to northern Europe, seeking a southern winter abode, 

 the bird occurs, though in varying numbers, on our sea-board 

 in the autumn season, remaining through the winter, thus 

 making it much more numerous in localities near the coast 

 during these seasons than at other times. 



In autumn it is often very common in the bean and turnip 

 fields near the coast ; sometimes solitary or in pairs, but 

 more frequently in small parties of twenty to thirty together. 

 Respecting the migratory movements of this species I feel 

 I cannot do better than quote the information bearing 

 thereon contained in the Reports of the Migration Committee 

 of the British Association : — 



1880. October 17th. Very abundant at Spurn Head (p. 37) 

 1882. At Spurn and in east Lincolnshire great numbers 

 were observed during the first fortnight of 

 September. 

 Spurn, October 8th. Most abundant and on the 

 Lincolnshire coast at the same date in extra- 

 ordinary numbers. ... It may be stated that 

 their extraordinary abundance at Spurn and 

 in east Lincolnshire on October 8th corresponds 

 with the enormous flights which crossed 

 Heligoland at the same period, October 6th, 

 7th, and 8th, as reported to Mr. Cordeaux by 

 Herr Gatke (p. 33). 

 1884. Spurn, August 20th and through September. 

 Abundant at intervals. Tees L.V., 21st August. 

 Two, with a Linnet, Redbreast, and Titlark, on 

 board ; leaving to N.W. at 7 a.m. Spurn and 

 Great Cotes 25th and 26th. Swarming (p. 46). 



