328 MR. J. H. GURNEY, JUN., ON GULLS ON THE JjORFOLK COAST. 
estimated at three thousand, Avere seen by Mr. 0. V. Aplin and 
his brother, who were staying at Cromer, between that place and 
Salthouse, going Avest in flocks, A'arying from four or flve to twenty 
in a flock. 
As regards previous years, similar observations Avere made at the 
“Lynn Well” light-vessel, Avhich is in the middle of the Wash, 
and nearly forty miles from Cromer, by the master on August 21st, 
22nd, and 23rd, 1880, and on December 29th, 1881, as given in 
the “Migration Keports” (1880, p. 61, 1881, p. 36); and at the 
“Cockle” light-vessel, oS' Yarmouth, on October 25th, 1883 
(1883, p. 54). 
Besides, and apart from, the occasional appearance of the great 
numbers alluded to, there may he seen almost every day through- 
out October and November, single Gulls, and Gulls in twos and 
threes, and so invariably is the direction of their flight the same 
at Cromer, viz., from east to Avest, as to be a subject of general 
remark among visitors. The same is the case at Sheringham, 
according to the information I have received, and I have often 
observed them at Cley and Blakeney going the same Avay, viz., 
from east to Avest. 
As a rule these passing Gulls fly high in fine Aveather (and some- 
times very high), and loAv in bad weather ; but it is a rule Avhich 
has its exceptions. 
Wind the cause of their movements, and also determines 
THEIR direction. 
It is clear these movements of the Gulls are not a “ migration ” 
in the accepted sense of the word, because no birds migrate north 
in the autumn. They are simply local movements, necessitated by 
the Avesterly gales in autumn. Gulls always choosing to fly against 
Avind, Avith very rare exceptions indeed (and those Avhen the Avind 
is moderate). Yet it is perhaps not strictly correct to term them 
local movements, even using the Avord “ local ” in its Avidest sense. 
When the Avind is due Avest, it is probable the Gulls gather in 
the Wash and stop there; but Avhen it is N.N.W. (as on October 
11th and 26th, 1884, tAVO of the occasions before alluded to, 
see pp. 326, 327), it may Avell be that they cover some hundreds of 
