MIGRATION IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 251 



Whincluits, the young predominating, also begin 

 to pass (luring this period, doubtless from more 

 northern breeding-places. Right through yVugust 

 the great wave of Migration is slowly gathering in 

 force, birds becoming more and more numerous on 

 our coasts, whilst our own summer birds are be- 

 ginning to gather preparatory for flight in littoral 

 as well as in more inland districts. But little Migra- 

 tion takes place among our familiar summer birds 

 during August, however, notwithstanding the steady 

 influx of birds from other lands. Many of our 

 young Swifts and most of our old Cuckoos, how- 

 ever, move south in August : most of our other 

 summer migrants are now moulting ; all are song- 

 less, and much more skulking in their habits than 

 usual. Swallows and Martins begin to pack, and 

 very early in September a considerable number of 

 young birds depart south. During this month the 

 migration of various soft-billed or insectivorous 

 birds becomes much more intensifled. Everywhere 

 Warblers, Swallows, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Ring 

 Ousels, Thrushes, Wagtails, and such-like species 

 are all speeding south, whilst the number of Wading 

 birds is very perceptibly increased. Especially is 

 this the case among Arctic species, such as Curlew 

 Sandpipers, Knots, Stints, Turnstones, Godwits, 

 Dunlins, Gray and Golden Plovers, a few Ducks 

 and Geese. Terns in flocks (principally young 

 birds) are also now moving south. At the be- 

 ginning of the month the migrants are mostly 

 composed of young birds, especially among the 



