KNOT , 619 



tells me that, in the middle of last century, these birds often 

 used to alight on Salt Scar in the spring of the year when 

 going north. A large mixed flock of Knots and other shore 

 birds appeared on the sands at 3 a.m. on Qth June 1887 ; at 

 Spurn they have been seen coming from the south as late as 

 I3th June in 1883 ; whilst small parties of non-breeding birds, 

 in various states of plumage, have occasionally remained 

 throughout the summer. 



The Knot is, however, best known as an autumn or winter 

 visitant on the southward journey from its breeding quarters, 

 when a few old red-breasted individuals appear in July and 

 August, sometimes as early as the first or second week of 

 the former month, though the earliest date of which I have 

 personal knowledge is the 23rd of July in the year 1884. 

 Late in August, and during September, flights of young 

 birds occur, accompanied by an occasional adult ; one in 

 partial summer plumage was picked up at Spurn as late as 

 7th November 1881. In October and November a further 

 migration takes place, and in some seasons enormous flights 

 are met with at the Tees and Humber estuaries ; at the last 

 named place the late J. Cordeaux graphically described 

 the movements and evolutions of these enormous congrega- 

 tions (" Birds of Humber District," p. 132). As the season 

 advances they become wild and difficult of approach, whilst, 

 if an outbreak of very severe weather should occur, many 

 retire further south. 



From the information supplied to the compilers of the 

 British Association Migration Reports we learn that this 

 bird frequently falls a victim to the attractions of the Light- 

 house rays on dark and foggy nights, and on the Cleveland 

 coast it is no uncommon thing to hear the notes of migrating 

 flocks on still autumn evenings. 



At the majority of the seaboard stations between the 

 Tees and the Humber the Knot is a more or less abundant 

 visitant in spring and autumn, and also at various inland 

 localities ; in addition to those mentioned by Allis, it has 

 been recorded from Halifax, Cold Hiendley Reservoir, and 

 East Cottingwith. 



