WHEATEAR. 23 



the south of the county the 28th of March is the average date 

 of its first appearance ; in Cleveland and the north it arrives 

 about the end of the month or the first week in April. In 

 the year 1870 it was reported as early as 6th March ; in 1882 

 several were at Spurn on the igth ; some arrived at Redcar 

 on the 23rd, and on the same date in 1890 ; in 1893 it was 

 noted on the igth, and in 1902 on 8th March. There is a 

 second, or supplementary, arrival in May, usually in the 

 first or second week, and very noticeable on the coast-line. 



This lively bird is essentially an inhabitant of the wilds, 

 and as regards its distribution may be described as somewhat 

 local, being chiefly confined to the open downs, moors, com- 

 mons, and other barren and uncultivated tracts, although at 

 the migratory period it is observed in most parts of the county. 

 On the sea-coast it is found among the sand-hills and rough 

 banks, a few pairs remaining to nest ; in the dales and on the 

 moorlands it is fairly common, ascending to the summits 

 of the highest hill, where it breeds, as, for instance, at an 

 elevation of 1200 feet, on Mickle Fell. It occasionally nests 

 in the low country, and has been met with near Skelmanthorpe, 

 York, and at Eccup, near Leeds (Nat. 1900, p. 224). There 

 is a large race or variety, of a richer buff colour and with longer 

 legs, which is more arboreal in its habits than the ordinary 

 form, that occasionally passes through in spring ; it was 

 noticed in great numbers both at Spurn and Flamborough 

 in 1893, and Mr. E. P. Butterfield has seen it on the high 

 moors near Bradford after the nesting birds arrive. 



About the middle of August the return migration from 

 the north commences. For many seasons I have seen im- 

 mense numbers travelling along the coast in this month 

 and in September, when they are often associated with 

 Redstarts, and the sand-dunes both at the Tees and Humber 

 estuaries are sometimes swarming with them, whilst a few 

 occasionally linger until the end of October ; at Spurn, in 

 1880, one was seen as late as the 27th, and in 1883 the last 

 is recorded on the 23rd of that month. For greater know- 

 ledge of its movements we are indebted to the researches of 



