200 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



Within the last half-dozen of years quite a revolution 

 has taken place in the species of geese frequenting the 

 Solway banks. Barnacles have been, and are yet, the 

 characteristic Solway species. Formerly the Bean Goose 

 was the prevailing " grey goose," but now the Grey Lag 

 predominates and comes in very large numbers too. 

 Brents, once very scarce, are far more often seen. Whence 

 come these striking changes unless through some shift in 

 the flow of the migration stream ? 



The vernal migration of the Whaups usually begins in 

 February, and the big general movement may be looked 

 for about the end of the first week in March. In the fine 

 season of 1893 this general movement took place so 

 early as 5th February. Every year a very extended and 

 simultaneous migration of Whaups occurs, about the time 

 stated, along the whole length and breadth of Sol way. I 

 have notes of such a spring movement over many years. 

 On some quiet day towards mid-afternoon one may notice, 

 when such a migration is setting in, little parties of Curlews, 

 threes or fours or more in number, flying in a direct N. 

 or N.N.W. direction at a great altitude, looking like 

 little dots against the blue sky. Their arrow-like formation 

 in flight, and the long-drawn shrill calls floating down to 



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the watcher, will enable him to identify the species. As 

 night closes in, the little parties of birds will become larger, 

 more of these detached flocks will be seen, and after dark- 

 ness has fairly settled down their calls may be heard 

 coming from all directions. And so with this vernal 

 movement the great business of the year is begun by this 

 interesting species. 



One of the most prominent of the spring migrants is 

 the Lesser Black -back Gull. By the end of November 

 all have gone elsewhere, and till near the end of February 

 very few ever put in an appearance. With the lengthening 

 days and stronger sunshine, small parties of these fine gulls 

 come soaring overhead, generally moving directly northwards, 

 laughing and talking in that noisy and lively language of 

 theirs, flying in circles and playing the while as they move 

 onwards, till the whole air resounds with their merriment. 



Amongst all our spring migrants, the Corncrake is 



