86 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



proceed in a continuous stream towards the 

 east. 



It would appear tliat these birds — the greater 

 part of which are tlie young of the year, at this 

 time but a few months old and unequal to pro- 

 tracted flights —in thus steadfasfcl}^ pursuing this 

 course, are impelled by a wonderful instinct to 

 seek the shores of the neighbouring county of 

 Kent, from whence the voyage to the continent 

 may be performed with ease and security. At 

 any rate, from this period throughout the whole 

 county, the species continues to be comparatively 

 but sparingly distributed, until augmented by 

 fresh arrivals from the south during the wai-m 

 days of the ensuing spring. 



