NOTES FROM REDCAR. 3 



The big double hedges, with a ditch between them, seemed 

 to be much appreciated by the Common Whitethroat, whose 

 scolding note assailed the ear on all sides. On one occasion 

 I was sheltering from a shower in a deep dry ditch or water- 

 course, completely closed in from above by thick hedges on both 

 sides, and, happening to look up, caught sight of the black head 

 and bright eye of a hen Bullfinch within a few feet of my head. 

 She was sitting on a very slightly-built nest in a blackthorn- 

 bush, and I had the satisfaction of effecting a stealthy retreat 

 without disturbing her. So well was the nest concealed from 

 above, that there seemed a good chance of its escaping the 

 prying eyes of the birdsnesting schoolboy. 



OENITHOLOGICAL NOTES FEOM REDCAR for 1891-92. 

 By T. H. Nelson and Frank Pilling. 



As is usually the case, immediately the close-season com- 

 menced in March, immense flocks of Golden Plover congregated 

 on the low lands along the coast line, being brought hither by a 

 strong N.E. gale and snow-storm on the 8th March. Numerous 

 Wood Pigeons appeared at the same time, driven down, no doubt, 

 b}' the same inclement elements. Snow continued to fall till the 

 11th, causing a keen competition among the small birds for the 

 scant supply of available food ; but by the 13th the fields were 

 again clear of snow. On the 20th, the first Wheatears and 

 Whinchats made their appearance, and there was a northward 

 movement of Pied Wagtails. 



On April 1st, a Ked-necked Grebe and three Red -throated 

 Divers, in full plumage, were seen disporting themselves near 

 East Scar. Early in this month Cormorants, which desert this 

 district in winter, were observed passing to and fro, between the 

 cliffs south of Huntcliffe and the Tees-mouth, on their matutinal 

 fishing expeditions. On the morning of the 8th a strong easterly 

 gale, with rain, was blowing, and several Woodcocks were on the 

 sand-hills, doubtless awaiting a favourable opportunity for crossing 

 the sea on their return to the breeding haunts in the North of 

 Europe. The easterly winds prevailed right up to the loth, with 

 unabated force, thereby creating a great increase in the death-rate 

 of Puffins and Guillemots, many specimens of both species being 



B 2 



