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WILDFOWL OF THE NORTH-EAST COAST : 



THEIR HAUNTS AND HABITS. 



IN physical conformation the north-east coast of England 

 is not well adapted to the requirements of wildfowl. 

 Geographically, no doubt, it forms the objective point of 

 the trans-oceanic journeys of a large proportion of those 

 migratory hosts from northern Europe and Asia which, every 

 autumn, direct their flight upon our islands. Great num- 

 bers of these certainly " make the land" within the limits 

 so defined ; but there is little attraction to induce them to 

 remain here. They are aware, or soon discover, the defi- 

 ciency of suitable resorts congenial to their tastes ; and, in 

 consequence, after brief periods of rest, move on to localities 

 offering a greater measure of their desiderata. These chance 

 casual visits, or " through transits," of wildfowl are of but 

 little value to the fowler, occurring so irregularly, and with- 

 out calculable or presumptive fixity of date. There is no 

 " North-Sea Bradshaw " available to disclose their probable 

 arrivals or departures. Hence the pursuit of wildfowling 

 in the north-east is limited to a few enthusiasts, and is 

 carried on more as a matter of local convenience than 

 otherwise it may be said to be pursued rather in spite 

 of disadvantages than by reason of any special facilities 

 which this coast affords. 



The north-eastern seaboard is too straight and exposed, 

 and its configuration is wanting in those irregularities of 

 outline which denote sheltered bays and land-locked waters, 

 the abundance of which on a map say, of western Ireland 

 give that coast so attractive an appearance to the eye of a 

 wildfowler. The coast line from the Humber to the Forth 



