542 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



in June 1883, and it is quite probable that it may be met with 

 on the south side. 



As an autumn or winter migrant the Water Rail is of 

 more general, though still local occurrence, usually arriving 

 in late September, October, and early November. The late 

 J. Cordeaux observed that its immigration appears as well 

 marked nearly as that of the Woodcock, while the Reports 

 of the British Association Migration Committee contain a 

 reference to its arrival at Spurn on ist November 1886 (Eighth 

 Report, p. 42), and one came on board a fishing smack some 

 miles off the coast in the winter of 1878-79. I have twice 

 known examples immolated during the night by flying against 

 the telegraph wires near Redcar, the latest instance being 

 on 29th September 1901. An individual, caught on Coatham 

 Marsh in November 1900, had but one wing, the other having 

 in all probability been torn off in contact with the wires, 

 although the wound had completely healed ; and I have had 

 brought to me several live specimens which had been captured 

 in the autumn. 



In most of the low-lying and marshy districts the bird 

 may at this season be found, though it is far from common, 

 and is probably decreasing in numbers, owing to the curtail- 

 ment of its habitat, but, as remarked above, in dealing with 

 its status as a resident, its shy retiring habits render it a difficult 

 bird to flush, and it may really be commoner than is supposed 

 to be the case. In the winter of 1903-04 it was more than 

 usually numerous, being reported from several localities 

 where it is considered rare. 



It was very abundant in the Beverley neighbourhood 

 in the winters of 1864, 1865, 1866, and 1878-79. It is common 

 on the sedgy margins of the river Hull, which extend for miles 

 beyond Beverley, frequenting the densest covert, from which 

 it is driven only by the aid of a good dog, and it will double 

 and redouble, using every artifice before being finally com- 

 pelled to take wing. As illustrating its reluctance to resort 

 to flight, I may state that, while I was shooting in the winter 

 of 1901-02, my spaniel flushed a Water Rail which rose within 

 a foot of the dog's nose, and at the same time I saw another 



