MOVEMENTS OF SHORE-BIRDS loi 



strong wind from the south springing- up after a light westerly 

 wind results in bringing the ducks low over So-and-so, it will, 

 if again occurring, have the same effect. This is an instance 

 where experience shows to advantage ; thus it is wise to 

 note carefully these items for future use. What usually 

 happens — at least, in ten cases out of a dozen — when duck 

 divert their line of flight owing to changes of wind, and 

 especially at the evening flight, is that the birds come earlier 

 and fly lower, even if the wind is not particularly strong. 

 This may be accounted for by the fact that duck fly a flight- 

 line by landmarks, such as a large hedge, farm buildings, 

 and watercourses, but when doing so they are invariably 

 high and regular in their movements, which would lead us 

 to believe they are familiar with and safely moving over the 

 route. Now, when a change of flight is to be taken, it would 

 appear that they set off" early and keep low, so as to note 

 their bearings in the weak light. Duck can, perhaps, see 

 better than man at night, but, of course, they are equally 

 handicapped by the darkness. 



Day-flighting, previously referred to, is simply caused by 

 the birds seeking shelter. These movements are not regular 

 except during special conditions of weather. As this class 

 of sport is sincerely fascinating and may be better understood 

 by an account of its practice, I relate the incidents of a day 

 spent by the writer and a friend some years ago. The scene 

 of my narrative was one of the rocky points which lie to the 

 south of Holy Island and the Fames, on the Northumberland 

 coast. In late winter huge masses of brent and big companies 

 of widgeon frequent the slake (Fenham) near Holy Island. 

 When the sea is rough and gales are raging, sport at ducks 

 and a few brent may be obtained at several rocky points jutting 

 out into the sea and situated along the coast-line many miles 

 south of the islands previously named. A sea of foam roared 

 in the screaming wind. As far as the eye could carry, the 



