196 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Many Grey-Geese were observed by the coastguard passing 

 over North Cotes on Feb. 10th and 11th. About the same date 

 Golden Plovers were singing their spring song, one of the most 

 charming sounds in nature, always reminding me of some of the 

 flute-like notes of a Blackbird. 



Resident Starlings are now (March 24th) busy at their nesting 

 quarters ; at least a dozen pairs in the ivy of this house. Tens 

 of thousands, however, of the foreign purple-headed birds continue 

 each afternoon to fly over the grounds to roost in a blackthorn 

 cover in the marsh. They are late emigrants, and will probably 

 not altogether disappear before April is well on. 



I saw the Gold-crest here on the 24th, and a Woodcock the 

 same day. On the 25th many Golden Plovers, several black- 

 breasted, and the remainder more or less in transition. In 

 meadow lands and pastures extraordinary numbers of Fieldfares 

 and a few Redwings. The great severity of the weather since 

 March 17th has probably retarded and thrown back any migra- 

 tory movements on their parts, hence this great accumulation 

 in our coast district. 



Further Notes on Spring Migration. 



On the night of Feb. 7th to 8th, Larks, Thrushes, and Red- 

 wings beat about the lantern of Flamborough Lighthouse, and 

 again, mixed with Starlings, on the night of 14th to 15th. 



Night of April 4th to 5th a Water-Rail was killed against the 

 lantern ; also two Golden-crested Wrens flew against the glass — 

 this was just after midnight. The same night (4th to 5th) a remark- 

 ably fine heavy Woodcock flew against one of the telegraph wires 

 near Filey Station, and all but decapitated itself, the head being 

 only attached to the body by a loose fragment of skin. The 

 Water-Rail which I obtained at the lighthouse on the 6th was 

 bruised down one side, and appeared to have struck sideways. 

 These notes are interesting, as they indicate the time these birds 

 were on the move and actually leaving the country. 



Between April 1st and 4th many Wheatears passed north, 

 apparently touching the most prominent positions along the 

 coast. They were, between these dates, seen in some number 

 at the Spurn, Flamborough Head, Filey Brigg, and Scarborough 



