YORKSHIRE PHYSICAL ASPECT. xxix 



meeting with no obstruction till their progress is arrested by the 

 promontory of Flamborough, where they are observed and too 

 often shot. On leaving Flamborough they cross Bridlington Bay, 

 arid are either seen at Spurn, or, skirting Lincolnshire, pass on 

 for the north coast of Norfolk a well situated and rich ornitho- 

 logical county. 



Flamborough and Spurn are by far the most favourable points 

 for observing the arrivals of immigrants; and Spurn is considered 

 far to surpass any portion of the Lincolnshire coast. The tall 

 cliffs of Cleveland probably offer attractions from their height and 

 the secluded nature of the coast, but have never been systemati- 

 cally investigated by resident naturalists. The winds which bring 

 immigrant birds in the greatest numbers in the autumn are those 

 not favourable to their passage. When worn out by a long and 

 adverse journey against contrary winds they drop on the first shore 

 they reach, and the presence of woodcocks at Spurn and else- 

 where on the coast depends on the prevalence of the strong N. 

 or N.E. winds during their passage, which tire them out, and after 

 which they are to be found on the point in great numbers. On 

 the contrary should the winds be light and favourable they simply 

 pass on, dispersing themselves over the country in suitable situa- 

 tions, and very few would be observed on the coast. On the 

 Yorkshire coast the line of migration of all birds in the autumn 

 is, as a rule, from E. to W., with sometimes a decided trend from 

 points south of E., snow buntings and bramblings coming more 

 from points north of E. In the spring the warblers, swallows, &c., 

 come from the S. and S.E., the line of migration of the cuckoo 

 being from S.E. to N.W. 



On theoretical grounds the geographical position of Norfolk, 

 projecting as it does so prominently beyond the general coast-line 

 of England, has usually been considered superior to that of any 

 other county ; but if the number of species be taken as a criterion, 

 a comparison of the lists would show that practically Yorkshire 

 is quite equal. From the well-known fact that birds when 

 migrating make for the most prominent and first-seen land, it is 

 argued that the main stream would be attracted to the coast of 

 Norfolk; but that coast being comparatively low, the probabilities 



