66 BRITISH BIRDS. [von. x1. 
MARSH-WARBLER BREEDING IN 
HUNTINGDONSHIRE. 
I po not know whether the Marsh-Warbler (Acrocephalus 
palustris) has been previously recorded from Huntingdonshire. 
On July Ist, 1917, I found a nest with eggs built two yards 
on the Huntingdon side of the Hunts-Beds. border. The 
nest was ina bed of small osiers, very much overgrown with 
a mass of nettles, hops, bineweed, etc. Mr. W. Farren, of 
Cambridge, has been kind enough to confirm the accuracy 
of identification. GEorGE T. ATCHISON. 
[We know of no previous records for the breeding of the 
Marsh-Warbler in Huntingdonshire.—EDs. | 
INCREASE OF WHINCHAT IN CUMBERLAND. 
DvurinG the iast few years the Whinchat (Sazicola r. rubetra) 
has become very rare in the three north-western counties, 
but I am glad to record that this year (1917), in mid- 
Cumberland, it is again nesting in considerable numbers, 
judging by the number seen on the telegraph wires during 
the last week in June, carrying food for their young. Last 
summer there was a very noticeable increase in mid- 
Lancashire. H. W. Rosprnson. 
ON A MIGRATION OF SWALLOWS IN NORFOLK. 
On April 29th and 30th, 1917, at Hunstanton, Norfolk, I 
was fortunate enough to see a considerable migration of 
Swallows (Hirundo r. rustica). There was a stiff breeze blowing 
from due west on the 29th, but hardly any wind on the 30th. 
The Swallows were passing singly and in twos and threes, 
almost without cessation, from soon after daybreak till 
sunset on the 29th and in rather smaller numbers on the 30th. 
They were following the coast line from the east, and on passing 
Hunstanton turned south along the shore of the Wash. 
That is to say, they were following the identical route I have 
on several occasions called attention to, as being the favourite 
line of flight for late-autwumn migrants (Rook, Starling, 
Lapwing, Skylark, etc.) arriving on the Norfolk coast (see 
Brit. Birds, Vol. VIII., p. 69). 
Although the vast majority of these Swallows could 
be watched out of sight down the shore of the Wash, a 
few appeared to turn out to sea towards the Lincolnshire 
coast, but whether this was really their destination it was 
impossible to say, as a bird so small as a Swallow cannot | 
long be kept in sight over the sea. 
_ With them were a few House-Martins and Sand-Martins— 
in the proportion, I should say, of about 5 per cent.-—while, 
