30 BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 



bably arrivals from the north ; they may then be 

 seen in small family parties, half a dozen together, 

 perched on the "stocks" of corn, and for a few 

 weeks are everywhere common through the open 

 marsh district bordering the river. In the absence 

 of trees and bushes not unfrequently nest in the 

 standing corn, or in rough grass on the drain-banks. 

 Is found in Scandinavia in the summer. 



47. SAXICOLA CENANTHE (Linnaeus) . Wheatear. 



A summer visitant, but not nearly as numerous as 

 the last. The "sea-blue bird of March " arrives 

 very regularly in our marshes during the first week 

 in April. Have twice only observed it in March 

 namely, in 1867 on the 30th, in 1871 on the 28th. 

 Is frequently very backward in assuming the summer 

 dress ; and individuals may be met with late in the 

 spring still in winter plumage. Nests sparingly in 

 North Lincolnshire, the greater proportion of the 

 birds visiting us in the spring leaving again later in 

 the season. Very common in the summer on the 

 Yorkshire coast, between Spurn and Flamborough 

 Head. Is again plentifully distributed throughout 

 the marshes in the autumn, during September, 

 usually leaving for the south towards the end of that 

 month or early in October. I have observed it at 

 Great Cotes as late as the llth of October, and at 

 Flamborough on the 17th. Not unfrequently perches 

 on trees and bushes. 



