20 



remarks, to the effect that the species still flies directly inland 

 to the west on arriving at the Humber. For if they pass inland 

 in Lincolnshire, it follows that they must cross a wide district of 

 England before they can reach the Channel to cross into France. 

 There is also no evidence to show, nor any reason to suppose, 

 that they suddenly alter the character of their flight and pass over 

 the central parts of England at a great elevation, and thus escape 

 notice. For in the light of the author's theories on the altitude 

 of flight, this would mean a sudden change of meteorological con- 

 ditions immediately on their arrival ; and the Hooded Crow is 

 one of the few species which always fly low. That the present 

 species is seen in moderate numbers, crossing England from north- 

 east to south-west every autumn by certain well-known routes, 

 will be readily admitted ; but the evidence in favour of an 

 immediate turn to the South on their first making the land, all 

 points to its being the course adopted by the majority ; for very 

 large numbers (though not millions) have been observed following 

 the line of the sand hills due south, on the Norfolk coast, in com- 

 pany with Eooks and Daws (see Migration Committee's Eeport). 

 The Hooded Crow at its winter quarters seems to be a very aquatic 

 species, and is very fond of wading in shallow waters in search 

 of food. It appears natural for a species possessing these tastes 

 to hug the coast line as much as possible during its migratory 

 journeys, and in passing inland to follow the course of rivers — 

 not as guides to its destination, but as convenient routes where 

 food can be readily procured when required. That all the Hooded 

 Crows observed in the eastern and midland counties reach us 

 via Heligoland is, however, very improbable ; for, according to 

 Seebohm, many individuals breeding in Scandinavia winter in 

 this country, and we should hardly expect Norwegian examples 

 to travel past the island on their journey here. Confirmation of 

 this may be found in the Migration Committee's Eeport, 1884, 

 p. 53, where it is recorded that: — "During the latter half of 

 November the rush (of Hooded Crows) seems to have been con- 

 tinuous night and day " — thus differing in character from the 

 migration observed at Heligoland, wbich ceases about 2 p.m. ; 

 " at the outer Dowsing light vessel on November 1st, 2nd and 

 3rd, a continuous rush N.E. to S.W., and also at other stations; 



