288 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. v.ii. 



observing migration, and he proceeds to give some interesting 

 details, some of which are quoted below. — H.F.W. 



Both the Pied and White WagtaUs are common here now ; the 

 Pied if anything rather the more nvimerous. Grey Wagtails are 

 scattered about in small numbers. Rooks, Jackdaws, and Starlings 

 are rare here, but ha\'e been coming over in small flocks during the 

 last few days. Stonechats seem to be sparsely distributed. 



Chiff chaffs are swarming everywhere, and often sing in the early 

 morning. I have been much struck by the absence of other small 

 Warblers. When I was here in August I saw a few Whitethroats, 

 but this month I have not seen a Whitethroat, Blackcap, or any 

 bird of that sort. Robins, Hedge-Sparrows, and Wrens are common, 

 but the Robins seem to have increased in numbers recently. Thrushes 

 are mostly conspicuous by their absence. Blackbirds were uncommon 

 until October 17th, after which date they have become more and 

 more numerous in the gardens along the cliffs. Several nights I 

 have heard them passing o\'er. Chaffinches struck me as being very 

 uncommon up till the 17th, since when they have come in in great 

 numbers. 



On the 17th there was a great rush of birds. I was out about 

 7.15 a.m. and the migration seemed to reach its height about 8.0 a.m. 

 and had practically stopped by 10.30 a.m. It was a cold, overcast, 

 hazy morning, with a fresh N.E. wind. The birds were flying up 

 the ri\'er along the shore. They mostly passed straight on, but some 

 dropped out here and there. The vast majority seemed to be 

 Chaffinches, Liimets. Sky-Larks, and Goldfinches, with a certain 

 number of Meadow -Pipits. There were also a few Rooks, Jackdaws, 

 Swallows, Martms and Wagtails. As the birds were mostly passing 

 overhead and in a dull light, it was very difficult to distinguish between 

 species. 



On the 18th I had not much opportunity of watching, but I think 

 there was a slight migration, as I saw parties of Blue-Tits, Starlings 

 and Swallows. Sky-Larks and Thrvishes of some sort were passing 

 over during the night 17th- 18th. On the 19th the east wind still 

 continued, and there was a remarkable rush of birds in the morning, 

 dying away about 9.0 a.m., though birds were still coming in at 

 10.30 a.m. The vast majority of birds seemed to be Chaffinches, 

 Linnets, Sky-Lai-ks, and Meadow-Pipits. Many flocks of Blue-Tits 

 were coming in ; I saw only one Great Tit actually coming in, though 

 both these species seem common about here. Many Goldfinches, 

 Wagtails and Starlings were coming in ; three flocks of Rooks, twelve 

 Jackdaws, five Stock-Doves, and a very few Swallows and Martins. 



" On the 20th there was another strong migration, though hardly 

 so many birds as on the day before. Mostly Chaffinches, Linnets, 

 Sky-Larks and Goldfinches, but not so many Meadow-Pipits. A few 

 Rooks, Starlings. Swallows, Martins, and Mistle-Thrushes, one 

 Redwing (or possibly a Song -Thrush), a Wheatear, a Merlin, and a 

 good many Blue-Tits. 



" Wednesday, 21st. I saw a Wheatear, and I thmk there was a 

 slight migration ; but it was difficult to tell owing to the fog. To-day 

 (22nd), all migration seems to have stopped." 



