FORTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT, FOR I908. 
13 
On the same date considerable flocks of Whimbrels were at the 
Teesmouth. On the loth, two pairs of Sandwich Terns were 
busily fishing near Redcar Pier. May 25th, a Sheld-dnck's nest, 
in the side of the breakwater, was in so exposed a situation as 
to preclude the chance of its escaping ; the eggs, therefore, were 
taken and set under a hen, nine being hatched and the duck- 
lings successfully reared. 
July 3rd, Whimbrels were returning south, and for the first 
two weeks of this month large flocks arrived. July i6th, having 
been informed that a Sand Grouse had been found in East Cleve- 
land, I journeyed to Loftus and visited the bird-stuff er who had 
preserved it. The specimen was a male in very good plumage. 
Three birds had been seen for upwards of a week in early June 
in a field of young corn. The example I examined had apparently 
flown against some obstruction, as there was a deep wound in the 
breast, and was picked up dead. The other two birds remained 
in the vicinity for several days, being last seen between Loftus 
and Staithes about the end of June. 
During August, Sandwich Terns were abundant in the Tees 
estuary, and in September there were great flocks of the usual 
shore birds — Godwits, Knots, Grey Plover, and smaller species ; 
several Ruffs and Little Stints were also observed. 
On September 8th, eight Swifts were flying round one of the 
terraces on the Esplanade. September 23rd a great rush of small 
migrants occurred — Gold-crests, Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, 
Wheatears, and other species — the weather being foggy, calm 
and warm. This rush appears to have been co-incident with that 
reported in Holderness by Mr. H. F. Witherby, and by other ob- 
servers in Norfolk. 
October 14th, foggy and calm. Another rush of small birds, 
and on 17th and i8th, wind E.S.E. with rain, immense flights of 
Duck, Woodcock, Short-eared Owls, Hawks, Hooded Crows, 
Shore Larks, Snow Buntings, Peewits and Larks. October 26th, 
wind S.E., foggy. — Field-fares, Redwings and Thrushes passed 
incessantly during the night, and were heard calling as they flew 
by in the darkness. x\gain on the 31st, a similar flight was ob- 
served. November 6th, the heaviest flight of Woodcock 
noted here for several years took place ; they were reported in 
great plenty from the banks on both sides of the town, and also 
at the breakwater, where many were shot. Judging from notices 
in the papers, this flight seems to have been general along the East 
Coast, extending as far north as Inverness, where, on the 6th 
and 7th, a shooting party bagged seventy-two cock. 
On the morning of the day on which these notes are being 
written (i6th November), a Woodcock came from over the sea 
