BIRD NOTES 137 



BIRDS RETURNING HOME 



Certain of our birds waders, to wit although so 

 noticeable in their autumnal immigration, do not 

 make much display of their return in the spring on 

 their way to the north of Europe. I have certainly 

 observed the Heron in one or two instances 

 fly directly east; and also small bunches of 

 Starlings on one or two occasions. We have 

 influxes of spring waders Godwits, Knots, Grey 

 Plovers, and the like although not so numerous as 

 formerly, dropping in on Breydon mud flats, but it 

 is seldom they are actually seen to leave ; they do so, 

 undoubtedly, at night. I have disturbed Terns, and 

 seen them mount high in the air, and proceed in a 

 north-east direction. The gathering together of 

 certain species for the flight is not so rare. On the 

 1st of April 1898 I saw many scores of Hooded Crows 

 congregated on Breydon mud flats, simply resting 

 themselves, and holding, to all intents and purposes, 

 an avine congress. As far as the eye could reach 

 they were to be seen, and from the quaint manner 

 in which one would address its nearest fellow, I was 

 almost certain they had already paired. On 20th 

 March 1892 I saw a similar gathering on the sand- 



