150 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



(9) Robin (Erythacus rubecidd). 



Though, as a species, essentially migratory, crossing the North 

 Sea by thousands, yet unquestionably individuals (affected, in many 

 instances, by human influence) acquire a sedentary habit ; and have 

 learnt to stay at home. 

 (10) Wren {Troglodytes parvulus). 



In this case also, a limited number of individuals appear to 

 localise themselves, while the vast majority migrate, 

 (n) Stonechat (Pratincola rubicold). 



The migratory impulse is distinctly less pronounced in this than 

 in almost any other species of its order. Unquestionably this bird 

 does cross the seas, having been recorded (seldom, it is true) at 

 various sea-lights, as well as from Heligoland. The movements more 

 frequently recorded are on our own west coast ; and these are prob- 

 ably merely local or inter-insular. 



(12) Rock-Pipit (Anthus obscurus). 



Our local race shifts in autumn from the Fames, the Bass, and 

 other rocky coasts where it has bred, to open shores and salt-grasses 

 where it spends the winter. This race is stationary ; but there co- 

 exists some clear evidence (from sea-lights) of a slight immigration 

 from abroad. 



(13) Great Tit (Parus major). \ 



(14) Blue Tit (Parus cceruleus).) 



As with the robin, human kindness and winter-feeding have 

 accentuated a latent sedentary tendency, producing, in individual 

 cases, a state of semi-domestication that over-rides the migratory 

 impulse. 



(15) Blackbird (Turdus merida). 



(16) Ringed Plover (sEgialitis hiaticula). 



I am far from sure whether it is right to include this species. 

 Those birds which nest at Teesmouth, depart in autumn ; while at Holy 

 Island, on the Northumbrian coast, they both breed and remain all 

 the winter. These are all of the larger race : it is the smaller, called 

 by Seebohm jE. h. minor, that is world-wide in its wanderings. 



(17) Heron (Ardea cinerea). 



Besides the few regular heronries that yet survive, these stately 

 birds also nest (in threes and fours) in scattered patches of pine on 

 the remotest moorlands. At these spots, herons are certainly 

 stationary, fishing for trout in the neighbouring burnlets by day, 



