NELSON : ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM REDCAR. 143 
from the opposite coast by the severe gales which brought so many 
of these little ocean wanderers within the observations of naturalists 
on the W. coasts of England and Scotland, as recorded in the pages 
of the ‘Field. 6th.—Southerly gale, with rain. Many Ducks and 
Larks (A/auda arvensis) passed on migration. A Short-Eared Owl 
(Asio accipitrinus) was noticed. The passage of Ducks and Larks, 
during $.W. gales, continued until the 12th, when Green Plovers 
{ Vanellus vulgaris) and Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) appeared, 
and on the 21st there was a great migratory rush; thousands of 
birds crossed from the sea from early morning till late in the after- 
noon ; the flocks consisted principally of Thrushes (Zurdus musicus), 
Redwings (7: zdiacus), Fieldfares (7. pi/aris), Chaffinches (Fringilla 
celebs), Larks, Green Plovers, Hooded Crows, and a few Snow 
Buntings (Plectrophanes nivalis); many Ducks, of various species, 
also passed at sea. 
‘or a few days, after this, the wave of migration slackened, 
although each day witnessed the arrival of a few flocks of oversea 
visitors. On the 16th, during a strong S.W. gale, a Little Grebe 
(Podiceps fluviatilis), driven by the storm, sought refuge on the 
platform of the railway station, where it was captured by the watchful 
policeman on duty. Three Ruffs (Machetes pugnax) were seen in 
a field near Redcar, and one, an immature example, was shot. 
23rd.—A Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus hyperboreus) was picked 
up on the sands near the Tees breakwater; this is the first specimen 
I have seen in the flesh here. 25th.—A Redcar pilot brought in 
a female Great Grey Shrike (Zanius excubitor) which he had taken 
when two or three miles out at sea: the bird was in an exhausted 
condition, and alighted on the ‘sheet,’ where it remained until the 
pilot secured it. Short-Eared Owls were frequently observed towards 
the end of the month, one which was shot on Redcar sand-bills on 
the 22nd had been feeding upon Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis), 
and its claws were thickly matted with the blood and feathers of its 
prey. 26th.—A N.W. wind, moderate in force. Several Woodcocks 
came over, and two were shot on the sand-hills. Numerous Gannets 
(Sula bassana) and flocks of Ducks passed at sea. 29th and 30th.— 
E. wind, foggy. Hooded Crows and Larks were migrating in large 
bodies ; the Hooded Crows generally appear in greatest numbers 
during ‘thick weather in October and November. 31st.—I noticed 
two Purple Sandpipers vel vinga maritima) feeding by the edge of the 
Shore to the E. of Redca: 
Nov. 16th.—E. seed: “ttc, rain, and 21st.—N. squally, rain 
Large flocks of Snow Buntings passed each day. 19th.—A 
necked Grebe was shot off Redcar. On the same day sha 
May sage. 1892, 
