86 CLARKE ANP NELSON : THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



In connection with the migratory movements of this species 

 on the Yorkshire coast we quote the following remarks, by Edw. 

 Blyth, from Rennie's 'Field Naturalist,' November, 1833, p. 

 467: — 'On the voyage from London northward, on the i6th of 

 September, when off the coast of Yorkshire, and about ten or 

 twelve miles from Redcliff,* several small birds alighted on the 

 vessel; they were of different species. On the following day 

 others made their appearance several . . . Robins, all 

 . . . left the vessel on the first night after their appearance, 

 except two Robins, which remained for some time, and which, 

 with the characteristic effrontery of their species, stationed 

 themselves, the one on the front of the vessel and the other 

 at the stern, and fought at the least intrusion into each other's 

 territory.' 



Mr. F. Boyes, of Beverley, writing in the 'Zoologist' for 

 February, 1877, remarks on the great number of Robins at 

 Spurn, on October 23rd, 1876; he noticed several hundreds of 

 new arrivals amongst the long grass and on the sands, and in all 

 the ditches and hedge-rows away from the coast. He states that 

 'this migration of the Robin is not new, but, I believe, an 

 annual occurrence ; last year at this spot they were even more 

 numerous.' 



It may be useful here to detail the information respecting 

 this bird which is furnished by the various Migration Reports 

 issued by the British Association Committee: — 



1879. Very numerous at Spurn on October 30th, wind blowing very fresh 



from N.E. (p. 176). 



1880. March 1st. At Whitby L.H., dayhght, a flock of Robins. 

 September 27th. At Whitby L. H., at 10 a.m., 'a large flock of small 



birds containing many Robins, remained a few hours and then went 

 south' (pp. 27 and 37). 



1881. March 5th. Whitby L.H., at daybreak, many Redbreasts. 

 October 2nd to 8th. At Spurn Head in large numbers; on the 3rd 



so worn out by a N. E. gale that they might be caught by the hand 



(P- 2o). 



* Rawcliff, or Rockcliff, between Saltburn and Staithes, is the highest 

 sea cliff in England. 



Trims. V.N.tJ., 1898 (pub. 191)1). Series B 



