98 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



of the broad stretch of (for the most part) low country- 

 separating the upper estuaries of the Forth and the 

 Clyde (of this there is ample evidence), and also by a 

 longer southerly route from mid-Forth to the Solway. 

 Leaving Forth either by the wide gap between the 

 Moorfoot and the Pentland Hills, or by one of the 

 western Pentland passes, the travellers taking the 

 southerly passage soon reach the head-waters of Tweed 

 and Clyde, and thence by way, it is inferred, of the 

 valley of the Nith or the Annan Water down to the 

 Solway. Oyster-catchers, Curlews, Whimbrels, Ringed 

 Plovers, Dunlins, and Common Terns are to be seen 

 every year between the end of July and the end of 

 September, but chiefly perhaps in August, proceeding 

 on the Forth to Solway flight. The reservoirs along 

 the north-western base of the Pentlands, at which the 

 birds often halt, are good points for observation. 

 At Crosswood reservoir, for example, Mr Evans has 

 watched all the above-named species depart, their course 

 being almost due south, which would take them through 

 the hills by the sources of the Medwyn to the head of 

 Clyde. At Elvanfoot, which is only a short distance 

 from the Clyde and Solway watershed, he observed 

 Oyster-catchers, etc., passing in a southerly direction in 

 September 1900. They have also been noted near 

 West Linton, and (Terns included) at Stobo on Tweed. 

 Besides the Waders and Terns, which are no doubt 

 chiefly our native birds. Fieldfares, Redwings, Wild 

 Geese, etc., have also been noticed passing by these 

 routes to their winter quarters west and south of Forth, 

 but at a somewhat later date. The return movement 

 in spring, though doubtless likewise of annual occurrence, 

 has been less observed. It is not known that any of the 



