116 



Common Thrush (T. musicus) and the Blackbird (7". merula) 

 amongst them. I have several times noticed the fields suddenly 

 literally to swarm with these birds they, however, soon disperse, 

 or probably pass on in a body further south. Short-eared Owls 

 (Asio Irathyotus) arrive chiefly in September and October; 

 Hooded Crows (Corvus comix) about the middle of October; and 

 Snipes [Gallinago ccdestis) from October, probably on to December. 

 Large numbers of Wild Geese pass over in September and 

 October in flocks of from a dozen to one hundred, and occasionally 

 stay a short time on the mud-flats ; they do not, however, 

 frequent the mud-flats much until later on, when cold and frosty 

 weather sets in and they are driven down from the moors. Wild 

 Swans [? Cygnus musicus and bewicki] frequent the estuary in 

 severe winter weather, and are seen passing over in the autumn 

 months. Individual birds are shot almost every winter, both 

 mature and young birds in grey and white plumage. Sometimes 

 they are observed singly or in pairs, at other times in flocks of 

 from five to upwards of one hundred. I have examined many 

 birds in private collections that were procured on this river. In 

 Brewster's List it is described as follows : — ' The Wild Swan 

 visits the marshes near the Tees in large flocks in severe winters. 

 In the beginning of the year 1823, several were killed at Cowpen, 

 and also in January, 1827.' The following actual records of the 

 occurrence of Swans in the Tees are copied chiefly from the last 

 six years' Reports of the Committee appointed by the British 

 Association to collect statistics from the lighthouse-keepers on 

 the migration of birds : — 



1879. December 4th. — Six at Teesmouth, flying N. to S. 



,, ,, 8th.— Five at Teesmouth. 



,, ,, 14th. — Nine ,, 



,, ,, 15th. — Forty-three „ 



„ 16th.— Three 

 „ 18th.— Two 



„ „ 20th.— Ten „ 10 am. 



„ „ 20th.— Ninety-five ,, 11 ., 



1S79-| W . , /One shot in Billingham Bottoms: a young 

 1880. } VVinter ' I bird in grey plumage. 



looo" I Winter, —Two noticed at Durham side of estuary. 



1882. August 5th.— Six at Teesmouth. 

 October 24th.— Six 



1883. March 25th. One, Tees Light-vessel. 



1884. October 5th. — Nine at Redcar, flying N 



