MR. F. D. power’s ORXITIIOLOGIC.\L XOTE.S. 
43 
It is probable that these small migrants, when not provideil 
with suitable cover, are always working gradually eastward; for we 
found it impossible to drive liedstarts westward along the hare 
sea-wall : they invariably ilow round and back. If, however, wo 
were walking east, they readily flitted on in front. 
One final remark. The heavy rains, following on the long 
drought, by bringing worms and insects to the surface, rendered 
the marsh pastures a highly attractive feeding-ground to the lUack- 
headed Gulls and Curlews. Those almost entirely forsook the 
harbour, and in one large congregation fed and rested day after 
day in the centre of the largest marsh, secure and free from 
interruption. 
[If there happen to be a strong wind when there are Sandpipers and 
other birds on the mudflats or on the shore, they cannot feed, and the only 
alternative they have, is to fly against it. If this be a west wind, which in 
the autumn is most prevalent on our coast, or a north wind, there is presented 
to us the anomaly of migratory birds going northwards (or rather westwards, 
at Blakeney, whore the coa-st curves) at a time of the year when the 
migratory instinct ought to carry them in the opposite direction. Of course 
a return movement must follow when the wind has dropped, but this is very 
likely not noticed : but the unusual movement northwards or westwards will 
bo noticed, though the direction of the wind is not alwa}’s remarked. The 
movements of all birds which feed where there is no cover, such as trees or 
herbage, are very dependent upon wind. This is particularly the case with 
Gulls and all shore-birds ; and the anomalous northward movements alluded 
to, are all to be accounted for by this simple cause. They cannot, or will not, 
fly with the wind, the}’ cannot remain and feed where they are, — they 
therefore fly against it. In doing so, they are really going in a wrong 
direction, — to be made good afterwards, not necessarily directly the wind 
drops, but at no very distant date. 
Headers of Mr. Power’s interesting Notes for 1880 and 1881 (Trans. 
Norfolk and Norwich Nat. Soc. vol. iii. p. 345) will remember that a 
migration occurred in both those years, almost exactly similar to that here 
recorded, only lasting several days, the wind continuing north, and very 
strong. No doubt the extent of this backward movement was far beyond 
Blakene}’. It was noticed at Spurn in Yorkshire, b}' Major P. K. Seddon 
and ^Ir. W. E. Clarke (Yarrell, ‘ British Birds,’ vol. iii. p. 274). If there 
had been any observer on the look-out at Yarmouth, Aldborough, or 
Harw ich, or any similar place on the east coast, it could hardly have failed 
to bo noticed there also, for I am quite sure that movements of this kind 
are very extended. — J. H. GI’bn'EY, Jc>'.] 
