S542 The Zoologist — Jund, 1873. 



if otherwise ihan from the author's own observations. Like 

 Mr. Stevenson's ' Birds of Norfolk,' Mr. Cordeaux's 'Birds of the 

 Humber' is perfect in this respect: the doctrine of suum cuiqiie is 

 religiously observed throughout, aud greatly enhances the merit 

 and the value of the publication. In very many books it is im- 

 possible to refer to the sources of information, so great have been 

 the talent and ingenuity exercised in concealing them. Now to the 

 scene of Mr. Cordeaux's researches. 



"In the Humber district I include the Humber from the Spurn to 

 its junction \Yith the Trent and Ouse, aud the lauds adjoining, namely, 

 part of North aud Mid-Lincolnshire and Holderuess, a district enclosed to 

 the north, the west, and south by the curved sweep of the Wold hills. To 

 the east its sea-board extends from Flamborough Head in the north to 

 Skegness on the Liucolnshire coast in the south. This is a well-defiued 

 aud clearly marked province both geologically and zoologically. It may be 

 compared to a half-circle or bent bow, the Lincolnshire aud Yorkshire Wolds 

 forming the bow, the coast-line the string ; whilst the great river itself is 

 like an arrow placed in the string and across the bow, dividing the district 

 into two nearly equal divisions." — Introduction, p. v. 



The migratory birds visiting this district in the autumn and 

 winter almost invariably come from the direction of the sea, arriving 

 on the coast in lines of flight varying from full north to east, the 

 gray wagtail (Motacilla hoarula), which comes from the west or 

 north-west, being the only exception. The shore birds generally 

 follow the coast-line both in their spring and autumn migrations, 

 and the sea-birds follow the same course, but much farther out at 

 sea, their occasional presence inland being induced only by severe 

 and long-continued storms. In later summer and autumn, birds 

 following the coast-line are pulled up by Flamborough Head, and 

 those which pass this projection are next seen or heard of near 

 Spurn Point, and thence leaving the county will cross the " deeps" 

 and strike the north and north-east coast of Norfolk. There is no 

 doubt the county of Lincoln was for centuries the metropolis of our 

 shore-birds and water-birds, but the drainage of fens, the enclosure 

 of commons, and the improved agriculture have changed all this, 

 for it is now our best farmed county, and has lost its ornithological 

 pre-eminence. 



Concerning almost every bird Mr. Cordeaux has some informa- 

 tion to give us, whether as regards plumage, nesting habits, food 

 or migration ; or should neither of these subjects present any 



