244 THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



certainly some evidence that the vaheys leading 

 from the Hum^ber, the Wash, and the Thames are 

 feeders for the more inland districts. That the 

 Humber and the Wash are favourite routes to the 

 interior, I have gathered much evidence to prove, 

 mostly from personal observation. The Goldcrests 

 [Reguhis cristatas) that strike the Humber district 

 in autumn, sometimes in enormous rushes, may 

 be traced right up the valleys of the Don and 

 Sheaf and Trent almost to their source. The 

 Song Thrush (Turdus musicus) follows a similar 

 course, as also do various Waders and Crows. 

 The Hooded Crows {Corvits coDiix) that in equally 

 large flights strike the Wash district may be traced 

 along all the river-valleys, the Witham, Welland, 

 Nene, and Ouse into the adjoining counties. For 

 some reason not at present quite clear, birds prefer 

 to enter or leave the country via a depressed coast, 

 often following below a long line of cliffs (perhaps 

 for shelter) until a more suitable district is reached. 

 This is essentially the case along the rock-bound 

 south coast of England, where Mr. Swaysland 

 assured me many years ago that migrants made 

 a practice of " cuddling the cliffs," and as I have 

 myself on various occasions witnessed both in 

 autumn and in spring. This was in the vicinity 

 of Brighton. Further west in Devonshire, I am 

 of opinion that the Dart valley is another important 

 gateway of migratory birds. From Dartmouth to 

 Berry Head the coast is very precipitous, and but 

 little migration appears along it ; but migrants 



