EAST COAST OF ENGLAND. 51 



numerous, but this autumn their migration has been in con- 

 siderable excess of previous years. With these exceptions, 

 however, there has been a singular and very marked falling off 

 in some species whose breeding range lies chiefly in the north 

 of Europe. This is specially noticeable in the small arrivals 

 recorded of Fieldfares, Eedwings, Eing Ousels, Bramblings, 

 Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owls, and Woodcocks. Taken 

 altogether, the migratory record for 1886 is a very poor one. 



No wild Swans are recorded, the few entries in the schedules 

 having -undoubtedly reference to escapes from parks and private 

 waters. Geese and Ducks have appeared quite as nnmerously 

 as in previous years. 



The arrivals of rare and occasional visitants have been few, 

 those of chief interest being three Harlequin Ducks (Cosmonetta 

 histrionica) at the Farn Islands ; the Mediterranean Black- 

 headed Gull (Larus melanocephalus), shot on Breydon Water, 

 near Yarmouth ; a Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), shot on 

 Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft; and the reputed occurrences of 

 the Snowy Owl {NycUa scancliam) close to the Languard L.H., 

 Suffolk. Of much interest also is the arrival of Shorelarks 

 (Otocorys alpestris) on the coast between the Farn Islands and 

 Yarmouth. 



The continued yearly observations show that on the East 

 Coast of England the principal points of arrival for migrants 

 are the mouths of the chief rivers, also those parts of the coast 

 which present either a flat and open shore, or cliffs of low 

 altitude. Considerable stretches of coast, which, as a rule, have 

 a high cliff line, make poor returns, or in some cases no schedules 

 are sent in, indicating a great scarcity of birds. 



It is well known that migrants under certain meteorological 

 conditions travel at a great height, when it may fairly be 

 presumed that the physical features of the earth's surface, the 

 trend of mountain chains, or the course of great river systems, 

 have little to do in determining their line, which is from point 

 to point, and without deviation ; yet in the vast majority of 

 cases, where migration is visible, birds travel at a comparatively 

 low altitude, so that when passing mountain chains, and even 

 hills of no great altitude, they invariably choose the lines of the 

 valleys, following depressions which, more or less, correspond 

 to the general direction of their course. In the Cheviots I 



