MIGRATORY BIRDS: SPRING 115 



Local Movef)ie7tis. — The following species, which 

 have wintered on our shores or their neighbourhood, 

 return to their nesting haunts during the month : — 

 The Dunlin, Fork-tailed Petrel, Shelduck, Eider Duck, 

 Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Puffin, and Razorbill ; in 

 addition to others which commenced their return in 

 March. 



Arrival of Swnnier Visitors} — All the species which 

 are summer visitors to our islands (see page 46), with 

 the exception of the Marsh- Warbler and the Red- 

 necked Phalarope, arrive on our shores. The inflowing 

 stream is a continuous one during the prevalence of 

 meteorological conditions suited for their journeys ; but 

 it is not until the second week of the month that the 

 main body of these summer guests appears, and the 

 flowing tide is maintained to and beyond the close of 

 the month. Some species, however, are decidedly irre- 

 gular in their appearance thus early in the season, 

 among them the Nightjar; while others, such as the 

 Whinchat, Common and Lesser Whitethroats, Garden- 

 Warbler, Wood- Warbler, Reed- Warbler, Sedge- Warbler, 

 Red-backed Shrike, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Swift, 

 Turtle Dove, Land-Rail, Dotterel, Arctic, Roseate, and 

 Little Terns arrive more abundantly in May. 



Immediately after arrival on the southern shores 

 of England, our summer birds proceed north, east, and 

 west to reach their accustomed nesting haunts in 

 various parts of the British area. 



Some of these April immigrations not only comprise 

 a great multitude of individuals, but include many 

 species moving in company. Thus at the Eddystone 



1 For particulars of dates of earliest appearance, and usual dates of 

 arrival of the Summer Visitors, see pp. 126-128. 



