82 CLARKE AND NELSON : THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



much more numerous in localities near the coast during these 

 seasons than at other times. 



Mr. Cordeaux states in his 'Birds of the Humber District' that 

 in autumn it is often very common in the bean and turnip fields 

 near the coast; sometimes solitary or in pairs, but more fre- 

 quently in small parties of twenty to thirty together. Respecting 

 the migratory movements of this species we feel we cannot do 

 better than quote the information bearing thereon contained in 

 the Reports of the Migration Committee of the British Association, 

 of which the east coast of England section was in charge of our 

 late esteemed friend, Mr. John Cordeaux: — 



1880. October 17th. Very abundant at Spurn Head (p. 37). 



1882. At Spurn and in east Lincolnshire great numbers were observed during 



the first fortnight of September. 

 Spurn, October 8th. Most, abundant and on the Lincolnshire coast 



at the same date in extraordinary numbers It may be 



stated that their extraordinary abundance at Spurn and in east 

 Lincolnshire on October 8th corresponds with the enormous flights 

 which crossed Heligoland at the same period, October 6th, 7th and 

 8th, as reported to Mr. Cordeaux by Herr Gatke (p. 33). 



1883. This autumn only five or six are recorded from Heligoland, and none 



on our east coast. 



1884. Spurn, August 20th and through September. Abundant at intervals. 

 Tees L.V. , 21st August. Two, with a Linnet. Redbreast and Tit- 

 lark, on board; leaving to N.W. at 7 a.m. Spurn and Great Cotes 

 25th and 26th. Swarming (p. 46). 



1885. Not mentioned in the report. 



Mr. J. Cordeaux, in the ' Naturalist' for 1893, in 'Autumn 

 Notes from the Humber,' states : ' Mr. Haigh writes ... a 

 rush of small birds. Hedge Sparrows, etc' 



From the above records it is to be inferred that the move- 

 ments of this species, both as regards numbers and constancy, 

 are somewhat irregular; it is possible, however, that on some 

 occasions this unobtrusive bird may escape observation; but 

 that it varies consideiably numerically is beyond question. 



The ordinary period of nidification in Yorkshire usually 

 commences early in April, and the young are hatched before the 



Tran?. V.N.U., 1898 (pub. 1901). Series E 



