278 Among the Birds in Northern Shires. 



passage from the Continent during the same night. 

 The Woodcock, however, appears to fly high; the 

 Owl at no great distance from the water. Large 

 numbers of wading birds also pass along this low 

 coast in autumn; in October the mud-flats there used 

 literally to swarm with them. Here might be seen 

 great flocks of Knots and Dunlins assembled upon 

 the marshes, whilst on the banks of the many tidal 

 streams and pools Redshanks, Curlews, Bar-tailed 

 Godwits, Plovers, and Sanderlings, in parties or 

 singly, might be watched. Keeping us at a more 

 respectful distance were large flocks of Brent Geese, 

 whose noisy clamour came clanging in fitful clashes 

 across the mud-flats; whilst Wigeon, Scoters, and 

 various other Ducks bore them more or less close 

 company. After a migration night it was a most 

 fascinating experience to wander out at dawn among 

 the birds. As we reached the second of the banks 

 nearest to the sea, that crosses the mile or so of 

 straight road that leads from the cockle and shrimp 

 famous village of Friskney, we often used to flush 

 Woodcocks from the ditches at the bottom of the 

 tall whitethorn hedges, and this fact we always re- 

 garded as a sure indication that the past night had 

 been a favourable one for migrants. Then more 

 Woodcocks would be flushed from the long dry 

 grass on the sea-banks; perhaps an Owl; but the 

 latter birds we found to have a greater preference 



