106 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORFOLK 
FOR 1897. 
By J. H. Gurney, F.L.S. 
Ir will be remembered that last year the autumn migration 
was very marked indeed, such exceptional visitors as the White- 
winged Tern, Greater Shearwater, Barred Warbler, Gull-billed 
Tern, Icterine Warbler, Bluethroat, Aquatic Warbler, Sabine’s 
Gull, Greater Spotted Cuckoo, Pallas’s Willow Warbler, Black- 
breasted Dipper, and Red-breasted Flycatcher followed each 
other in Norfolk in bewildering succession, to say nothing of 
what occurred further along the coast. The autumn of 1897 was 
a contrast to that of 1896; August produced a Pectoral Sand- 
piper and a Barred Warbler, and October one Tawny Pipit, while 
September and November were quite uneventful. The saltwort 
bushes at Blakeney were reported by visitors as being very 
destitute of birds, day after day “not a bird in them,” to quote 
from a letter. The only approach to a rush was on Oct. 22nd — 
(T. E. Gunn), and the next day Mr. Caton Haigh marked the - 
influx of birds at Humbermouth (‘ Naturalist,’ 1898, p. 26). 
The explanation of this dearth of migrants must be sought for 
in the unusual weather, and the wind. From the returns made 
by Mr. Arthur Preston, I’.R.Met.Soc., it appears that in 1896 
the prevailing wind in September was 8.W. (mean estimated 
force 3.7) ; 11897 it was N.W. In November, 1896, it was N.E.; 
in November, 1897, S.W. From his notes the annexed table 
is abridged (Trans. Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc. vi. p. 196 et seq.). 
1895. 1896. 1897. 
AT RUG tS sok ads Wa N. W. 
September ...... 8.H. S.W. N.W. 
October 6 ciai58 W. S-0. 8. 
November _...... Sey N.E. S.W. 
Medium Strong Migration. Slight 
Migration, (Twelve rare birds). Migration. 
