Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/231

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MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN N.E. LINCOLNSHIRE.
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C. corone, Linn. Carrion-Crow.—Two or three Carrion Crows appeared on Tetney "fitties" on Oct. 13th. On the 23rd I noticed over a hundred of these birds coming in to roost in Fenby Top Wood, a considerable increase in their numbers having apparently taken place about this time.

C. cornix, Linn. Grey Crow.—Two on the sea-bank at North Cotes on Sept. 27th, but no more until Oct. 8th, when a couple were seen at Grainsby. Grey Crows took part in the great movement of Oct. 20th, and were passing to N.W. along the shore all day until about 3 o'clock, either singly or in small parties of four or five flying close to the sand.

C.frugilegus, Linn. Rook.—The Rook was almost the only bird whose immigration during the past autumn assumed unusual proportions. Commencing on Oct. 8th, the passage of this bird reached its height on the 20th, and terminated about Nov. 1st. The flight of Oct. 20th was one of the largest that I have ever witnessed. On reaching the coast I observed an unbroken stream of Rooks travelling steadily to the N.W., almost in the teeth of a stiff N.N.W. breeze. The flock was scarcely more than fifty yards wide, and the birds were flying close to the ground, only rising to clear hedges, trees, or buildings which obstructed their line of flight. I watched the passage for about half an hour, and it was still progressing when I left. Numerous other flocks, large and small, were also coming in from the sea; but the passage came abruptly to an end at one o'clock.

Alauda arvensis, Linn. Sky-Lark.—The Sky-Lark was less numerous on migration than usual. The passage took place, between Oct. 12th and 20th, the direction of flight being generally N.W. On 13th, however, the flocks were moving S. And on the 20th, although the bulk were passing N.W., several flocks went S.W.

Dendrocopus major (Linn.). Great Spotted Woodpecker.—I saw one of these Woodpeckers at Fenby on Oct. 21st, and a second at Grainsby on 26th.

Cuculus canorus, Linn. Cuckoo.—On July 16th I observed two Cuckoos on hedges near the coast.

Asio otus (Linn.). Long-eared Owl.—I flushed two or three of these Owls in a small plantation near the sea shore on