MIGRATORY BIRDS: SPRING 109 



Late in the month numbers of Rooks, StarHngs, and 

 Skylarks occasionally arrive from the Continent during 

 the daytime on the south-east coast between Kent 

 and Norfolk, but as these immigrations more properly 

 belong to March, they will be treated of when dealing 

 with the movements observed during that month. 



Associated with the return of these British native 

 birds from the south are the similar movements of those 

 birds (Fieldfares, Redwings, Blackbirds, etc.) which had 

 fled our country in the winter owing to the severity of 

 the weather. 



Exceptional Arrival of Summer Visitors} — In 

 February, strange to relate, a few species which are 

 essentially summer visitors to our islands, have been 

 known to be so very indiscreet as to appear upon our, 

 as yet, inhospitable shores, it is to be feared in most 

 cases with disastrous results. The visits of these 

 deluded birds must be regarded as phenomenal, and are 

 perhaps to be accounted for by an outburst of exception- 

 ally fine weather in the regions in which they have spent 

 the preceding part of the winter. The following are 

 the species which have been recorded : — Ring-Ouzel, 

 Wheatear, Blackcap, Chiff-Chaff, Tree-Pipit, Swallow, 

 Sand-Martin, Nightjar, Hobby, Garganey, and Stone- 

 Curlew. In some instances, however, it is possible that 

 certain of the species named may have passed the winter 

 in our islands, especially in the southern counties ; 

 indeed a few or single individuals of the Ring-Ouzel, 

 Blackcap, Chiff-Chaff, Garganey, and Stone-Curlew have 

 been known to do so in seasons of unusual mildness. 



Emigration of Winter Visitors. — In genial seasons. 

 Skylarks and Blackbirds which have been winter guests 



' For particulars of dates of arrival of Summer Visitors, see pp. 126-128. 



