Ornithological and Other Oddities 



Ever since then American bitterns have been 

 in the habit of casually looking in upon us 

 from time to time, and in a most flattering 

 way they have refused to visit any other part 

 of Europe but the British dominions. More- 

 over, their visits are so timed as always to 

 take place between October and February. 



Now, as this period agrees with the time 

 of the American bittern's migrations, and our 

 islands are the first land the birds are likely 

 to reach in an Atlantic passage, it has occurred 

 to our great authority on British birds, Mr. 

 Howard Saunders, to suggest the theory of 

 assisted passages across the Atlantic for these 

 immigrants. There is so much trade between 

 the States and ourselves that a weary bird 

 would have little difficulty in finding a ship, 

 and once aboard it would merely have to 

 possess its soul in patience till the time came 

 to go ashore. 



The number of birds adrift at sea, however, 

 impresses every one who has gone on many 

 voyages in waters more favourable than the 

 Atlantic, in seasons when the migrations are 

 in full swing. The voyage to India and back is 

 one which is certain to produce some episode in 

 the way of bird passengers, often of great interest. 



During several experiences of this passage 



I have met with birds which one certainly 



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