ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM THE 
HUMBER DISTRICT 
IN THE AUTUMN OF 1890. 
JOHN CORDEAYU X, M-E.0.U:; 
Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire, 
TAKEN as a whole, the season has been much below an average in 
connection with the arrival of birds. Although some species. have 
been tolerably numerous, others—as the Short-eared Owl, Grey 
Shrike, and Golden-crested Wren—have been either scarce or absent 
altogether. The prevailing winds from S. and S.W., and seldom 
blowing from northerly or easterly quarters. The chief movement 
of migrants was from the roth to 21st of October, and for a com- 
parison with the immense number which then came in we must go 
back to the great rush of 1885, from the 15th to 17th of October. 
In preparing these notes I am indebted to Mr. G. H. Caton Haigh 
of Grainsby Hall for much information ; also to communications 
received from Mr. H. B. Hewetson of Leeds, and Mr. Philip Lawton 
of Easington. 
Wheatear (Saxicola enanthe(Linn.)). July 7th. As early as the 
first week in July a few young birds on the move, increasing 
during the month. Aug. 7th, many ; 13th and 14th, ‘thousands’ 
at Spurn. Oct. 4th, last. 
Common Sandpiper (TZotanus wecbpier’ (Linn, )). July 8th. 
A few returning, seen on the ‘beck’ and main drains. 
Shore Birds. July 2oth. During the last week there have been 
Grey Plover, Knot, Godwit, and Dunlin on the muds near 
Spurn, and in very considerable numbers. 
. Redstart (Auticilla phenicurus (Linn.)). Aug. 11th. First seen, 
a female; Sept. 3rd, a few on coast; 17th, same, but have 
altogether been very scarce. 
Woodwren (Piylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechst.)). Aug. 20th to 23rd. 
A considerable movement of small migrants between these 
dates. Amongst various species I saw two Wood Wrens on the 
2oth in one of the marsh hedgerows, and a pair also in the 
garden on the 23rd. I never see them in this parish excepting 
on migration--rarely in spring, but not uncommonly in the 
autumn. 
Golden idea hnaestarehe pluvialis (Linn.)). Sept. rst. Mr. Haigh 
_ saw a few at North Cotes, and on the 2nd a flock of about fifty 
at Grainthorpe. In last week of November an immense arrival in 
Jan. 1891, 
