MOVEMENTS OF SHORE-BIRDS 101 
strong wind from the south springing up after a light westerly 
wind results in bringing the ducks low over So-and-so, it will, 
if again occurring, have the same effect. This is an instance 
where experience shows to advantage; thus it is wise to 
note carefully these items for future use. What usually 
happens—at least, in ten cases out of a dozen—when duck 
divert their line of flight owing to changes of wind, and 
especially at the evening flight, is that the birds come earlier 
and fly lower, even if the wind is not particularly strong. 
This may be accounted for by the fact that duck fly a flight- 
line by landmarks, such as a large hedge, farm buildings, 
and watercourses, but when doing so they are invariably 
high and regular in their movements, which would lead us 
to believe they are familiar with and safely moving over the 
route. Now, when a change of flight is to be taken, it would 
appear that they set off early and keep low, so as to note 
their bearings in the weak light. Duck can, perhaps, see 
better than man at night, but, of course, they are equally 
handicapped by the darkness. 
Day-flighting, previously referred to, is simply caused by 
the birds seeking shelter. These movements are not regular 
except during special conditions of weather. As this class 
of sport is sincerely fascinating and may be better understood 
by an account of its practice, I relate the incidents of a day 
spent by the writer and a friend some years ago. The scene 
of my narrative was one of the rocky points which lie to the 
south of Holy Island and the Farnes, on the Northumberland 
coast. In late winter huge masses of brent and big companies 
of widgeon frequent the slake (Fenham) near Holy Island. 
When the sea is rough and gales are raging, sport at ducks 
and a few brent may be obtained at several rocky points jutting 
out into the sea and situated along the coast-line many miles 
south of the islands previously named. A sea of foam roared 
in the screaming wind: As far as the eye could carry, the 
