SHORT-EARED OWL. 47 



immigrants after a short rest proceed inland, distributing them- 

 selves generally over the county, where specimens are to be 

 observed during the winter months. 



My friend Mr. Cordeaux contributed a most interesting 

 article to the Zoologist (1877, p. 9) on the exceptionally large 

 flight which visited these shores during the autumn of 1876, 

 which whilst giving an accurate account of the habits of this 

 species immediately after their arrival, also records some valuable 

 observations on their habits during migration; and I cannot do 

 better than quote his excellent remarks : — 



"These birds arrived on the night of the 23rd of October, at 

 least I first found them on the morning of the 24th crouched 

 amid patches of rough sea-grass on the embankment, as well as 

 further inland on drain sides and amidst rough grass in pastures. 

 In the latter places they are comparatively safe. Unfortunately 

 those alighting on the coast are almost invariably potted by the 

 first loafer who at break of day, with rusty fowling-piece and 

 villanous cur at heel, strolls along the sea embankment, for 

 the poor soft-winged slow-flying owl offers an easy mark, and will 

 sit till almost trodden upon. This autumn unprecedented num- 

 bers came, and I have heard of them in many localities on this 

 coast. It is astonishing any are left to migrate, considering the 

 number, year after year, wantonly and cruelly destroyed on their 

 first arrival, as well as many which figure afterwards amongst the 

 "sundries" of the autumn and winter shootings. Mr. Lewis, the 

 Principal of the Spurn Lighthouse, says he has never known 

 them strike the glass like other birds, but during the period' of 

 migration they will fly round and round the lantern^ apparently 

 not incommoded by the blaze of light, and take off small birds 

 that are fluttering and beating themselves to death against the 

 glass. They arrived off Flamborough in flocks of from ten to 

 twenty. The Principal has never known them strike the glass, but 

 has twice observed them perched on the gallery rail on the outside 

 of the lantern. North of Flamborough they appear to have been 

 equally numerous along the coast. On a rock close to the Hartle- 



