MR. T. J. WIGG OX THE HERRIXG FISHERY. 
73 
that most of the cones dropped by the Crossbills had the 
scales at their base perfect, whereas those nearer the apex 
were forced open. For this, the reason was not evident, 
until an explanation of it was offered by Mr. H. F. Witherby, 
who on examination discovered that in nearly every instance 
the basal half of the cone contained little or no seed, and 
was therefore not worth the labour of prizing open. 
How long Crossbills will remain in East Anglia cannot be 
predicted, probably not much longer. They were last seen 
at Castle Rising by Mr. Tracey on May 22nd, at Fritton by 
General Upcher on April the 14th, and at Keswick by Bates 
on the 30th. At Northrepps they were repeatedly seen by 
W. Burdett up to May 14th. the number on May 10th 
amounting to fifty, but not all in one flock, twenty being the 
most in a single company. 
IX. 
NOTES ON THE HERRING FISHERY OF 1909. 
By T. J. Wigg. 
Read 29 th March, 1910. 
The Herring fishing off the coast of Scotland has not been so 
good this year, and there has been a considerable shortage 
in the number of Herrings landed. Further south, from 
Berwick to North Shields — the catch is reported as being an 
excellent one. With the first week in October, a good start 
was made at Yarmouth, and trains came from the northern 
