512 
thought of migrating wliile the good fare lasted, while dense little 
packs of Sparrows, Chaffinches, etc., might he seen here and there, — 
some of them entering Avith hearty participation into the threshing 
out of the farmers’ stacks, a game they are always ready to 
help at.* 
On the 30th of September a Honey Buzzard, a dark, someAvhat 
purple-tinted bird, was trapped at Horthrepps, in the “Cottage 
Wood, ’ close to the jjlace Avhere I remember seeing two Avhen a 
boy, as usual, at a Wasps’ nest, AA'hich Avas in a bank. 
On November 15th a Peregrine Falcon appeared, and signified 
its presence by attacking a Gull. The gamekeeper, hearing screams, 
looked up and beheld, high in the air, the Gull just struck. It 
ficAv toAvards him, and the Peregrine, after another futile attempt, 
sheered off. Birds, under the influence of terror, Avill fly to man 
to escape a HaAA'k, of AA'hich they stand in much greater fear. 
I remember a Skylark at Blakeney flying toAvards me, under 
similar circumstances, Avitli a Merlin in pursuit.t 
A marked feature of the autumn migration AA'as the arriA'al of 
large bodies of Golden-crested Wrens, in the early part of October. 
On the 13th there AA'ere, literally, hundreds on the highlands of 
rrimingham, Avhich is on tlie coast ; the hedgeroAA's of some 
turnip-flelds, about a quarter of a mile from the cliff, being full of 
them. At the same time I heard from Mr. G. Smith, of Yarmouth, 
that a great many had appeared there; and they did not escape their 
share of casualties ; for on the 20th I had tAA'clve in a box from 
Hunstanton lighthouse, of AA'hich six Avere flame-crested males. 
Again, at Trimingham, on the same day I saw a great many, and 
* Last yeai' A\'as quite as luilJ. On the 5th of December Martins AA'ere 
flitting up and doAvn at Cromer, evidently late migrants from the far north, 
following the line of the coast, and not in any hurry to get on. Trees and 
all vegetation were very forward, a still greater proof of the mildness of the 
season. Celandine, Primroses, and other spring floAvers Avere early in bloom. 
t As bearing on this trait, perhaps the folloAving incident Avill not be 
considered irrelevant, Avhich occurred at Beaumaris, and Avas communic.ated 
to my lather by the person to Avhom it happened. One day, Avhen fishing at 
sea, a Skylark appeared, pursued by a Merlin ; the Lark took refuge in the 
boat, and the Merlin in its impetuosity dashed into the sea, and was 
captured. The IlaAvk paid the penalty, and the Lark died of frigiit in 
twenty-four hours, during which interval it Avas observed constantly panting. 
