YORKSHIRE—PHYSICAL ASPECT. XxIx 
meeting with no obstruction till their progress is arrested by the 
promontory of Flamborough, where they are observed—and too 
often shot. On leaving Flamborough they cross Bridlington Bay, 
and are either seen at Spurn, or, skirting Lincolnshire, pass on 
for the north coast of Norfolk—a well situated and rich ornitho- 
logical county. 
Flamborough and Spurn are by far the most favourable points 
for observing the arrivals of immigrants; and Spurn is considered 
far to surpass any portion of the Lincolnshire coast. The tall 
cliffs of Cleveland probably offer attractions from their height and 
the secluded nature of the coast, but have never been systemati- 
cally investigated by resident naturalists. The winds which bring 
immigrant birds in the greatest numbers in the autumn are those 
not favourable to their passage. When worn out by a long and 
adverse journey against contrary winds they drop on the first shore 
they reach, and the presence of woodcocks at Spurn and else- 
where on the coast depends on the prevalence of the strong N. 
or N.E. winds during their passage, which tire them out, and after 
which they are to be found on the point in great numbers. On 
the contrary should the winds be light and favourable they simply 
pass on, dispersing themselves over the country in suitable situa- 
tions, and very few would be observed on the coast. On the 
Yorkshire coast the line of migration of all birds in the autumn 
is, as a rule, from E. to W., with sometimes a decided trend from 
points south of E., snow buntings and bramblings coming more 
from points north of E. In the spring the warblers, swallows, &c., 
come from the S. and S.E., the line of migration of the cuckoo 
being from S.E. to N.W. : 
On theoretical grounds the geographical position of Norfolk, 
projecting as it does so prominently beyond the general coast-line 
of England, has usually been considered superior to that of any 
other county; but if the number of species be taken as a criterion, 
a comparison of the lists would show that practically Yorkshire 
is quite equal. From the well-known fact that birds when 
migrating make for the most prominent and first-seen land, it is 
argued that the main stream would be attracted to the coast of 
Norfolk; but that coast being comparatively low, the probabilities 


