84 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS. 



the end of that month is far to the southward of its summer 

 position. But I must not forget that I write of the moor- 

 lands, ^Yhere the winged pilgrimage is far less patent than 

 on the tidal waters, and along the coast lines. The 

 Whimbrels, as already stated, make straight passages and 

 take cross-country routes ; Mr. Crawhall has shot the Green- 

 shank and the Reeve inland, during September, and I have 

 stray notes of the occurrence of Dotterel and Green Sandpiper; 

 but with the exception of these, the Great Snipe, and a few 

 ducks and other kinds to be hereafter mentioned, there is 

 hut little evidence of the passing foreigner in the hill- 

 country. 



Throughout September, the transit of Missel-Thrushes 

 continues uninterrupted!}'. When driving the woods for black- 

 game, little patches of an acre or two are often literally swarm- 

 ing with Common and Missel-Thrushes, Blackbirds and Ring- 

 Ouzels. The attraction of the ripening rowan-berries, whose 

 bright scarlet clusters are so beautiful at this season, is 

 no doubt a retarding element, inducing the passing bands 

 to linger a few days ; but by October they are all gone. 

 Though I mentioned the Blackbird, yet it appears to be far 

 more sedentary as a species than most of the others 

 referred to. It breeds in the blazing heat of the southern- 

 most corner of Europe ; yet along with the Robin, Wren, 

 and Dipper, is one of the few small birds that can brave the 

 utmost severities of winter on the northern moors. 



The moorland districts are too high, cold, and bleak, to 

 lend themselves kindly to corn-growing, and even in favour- 

 able seasons the little oat-crops are rarely cut till towards the 

 end of September. At that period the stubbles, which are 

 few and far between — often only little patches of an acre 

 or so — are a favourite resort of the hill-game. But the 

 capriciousness of game and some other birds is remarkable. 

 To certain fields or particular spots they will return in spite 

 of persistent persecution. Though shot at day after day, 

 Partridge and Blackgame will be found regularly next 

 morning at the same spot, so enamoured of it do they 

 appear, and although other places, apparently exactly 

 similar, are not frequented. No doubt, the reason is to be 



