THE BIRDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH. 163 



nessed an extraordinary immigration of small birds, amongst 

 them many Turdidce, besides Redpolls and other Finches, many 

 of which fell exhausted on landing, some taking shelter in wheel- 

 ruts in the sand. The chirp of a Sparrow particularly caught my 

 attention, and Passer domesticus was distinguished as he flew by. 

 Redbreasts were also noted. On Feb. 2nd, 1897, Fieldfares and 

 Redwings were arriving in continuous flocks, as if it were an 

 ordinary October migration. On the 3rd Larks were trooping 

 in. Coarse winterly weather followed them. On Dec. 22nd, 

 1894, hundreds of Lapwings were coming over against a strong 

 north-west gale. Many were drowned. 



As to birds which fall exhausted in the sea and are drowned, 

 there can be little doubt that numbers, especially of the smaller 

 species — e.g. Chaffinches, Redpolls, and many others — perish in 

 this way when overtaken by stress of weather ; but few are seen 

 washed up on the beach. Their disappearance may be accounted 

 for by the presence at this time of numerous Gulls on the coast, 

 which are eager to glean up any such flotsam that is almost sure 

 to attract their notice as they ceaselessly patrol the restless sea. 

 A sudden change of wind to an easterly point will sometimes 

 drive a few of these unfortunate birds ashore. On Sept. 24th, 

 1881, during a walk along the north beach, I observed lying 

 among the refuse three Common Buzzards, three Sparrowhawks, 

 and a Harrier, which, with a few common species, had been over- 

 taken by a storm and had perished. There had been that month 

 an unusual immigration of raptorial birds, several others having 

 met with an untimely end in the neighbourhood. I have also 

 found in the wash and at the tide-mark at various times Guille- 

 mots, Razorbills, Crows, Merlins, and many others that have 

 succumbed to fatigue or the violence of the storm. On one 

 occasion I found the remains of quite a number of Kittiwakes 

 {vide note on Kittiwake). When stranded these carcases are 

 very soon stripped by Hooded Crows, which do not scruple to 

 dine even off defunct members of their own genus. 



In some years it is extremely interesting to watch the steady 

 influx of migrants of various species, often indicative, to my mind, 

 of a long and severe winter ensuing. At other times migration 

 goes on scantily or spasmodically. It was my custom for several 

 years, when living at the north part of the town, to watch these 



