202 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



so many life-studies in photography have been made, with great 

 advantage to naturalists. 



This year we had the presence of a Brambling in the middle 

 of summer, seen by Mr. Vincent on June 18th, as will be men- 

 tioned presently. 



The same observer detected a couple of Nyroca Ducks on 

 July 14th, which is an exceedingly late date. 



The Cormorants, which were so beautifully photographed by 

 Miss Turner last year, again came to Lord Hastings' lake, but 

 only on a passing visit. 



The first was seen by the keeper on May 23rd, but it only 

 stayed a short time, being probably frightened by a camp of 

 Yeomanry in the park. 



The Autumn Migration. — September was too fine for observa- 

 tions, besides which there were very few naturalists left to make 

 them. When the weather is open rare birds pass over the 

 Norfolk and Suffolk coast-line without stopping. Mist and rain, 

 which delay them, is the collector's weather. 



Each year tends to confirm the belief that migratory birds 

 which come to the coast of Norfolk in autumn with a west wind, 

 are delayed birds. Naturally they are much more in evidence 

 than those which cross the North Sea at night with an east or a 

 north-east wind. These latter come and are gone again before 

 the naturalist has been made aware of their presence, except 

 such portion of them as elect to make Norfolk woods and fields 

 their halting-place. 



Weather conditions being equal, different altitudes suit 

 different migrants. Books, Grey Crows, and Starlings all fly 

 pretty high, Chaffinches or any small birds, as a rule, lower, 

 birds of prey the highest of all. The steady, purposeful, onward 

 flight of the Starling is in great contrast to the Thrush's wavering 

 flight. Skylarks vary, but as a rule travel very low over the sea, 

 as may be seen from the shore at Overstrand, even adapting their 

 course to the undulations of the waves. From 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. 

 would be a good time to look for migrants arriving, but unfortu- 

 nately by the end of September the light is insufficient for 

 identifying small birds before six o'clock, unless they be in a 

 line with the rising sun. 



That by far the greater number of birds travel by night is 



