THE MIGRATIONS OF THE LAPWING 239 



Britain and Ireland, and to other inland areas, especially 

 in the north — facts which result in much migration 

 taking place within the British Islands, and of emigra- 

 tion to countries south of us. 



As winter visitors and birds of passage, some numbers 

 arrive on our shores in the autumn from Scandinavia 

 and from Western Central Europe. 



The great majority of our home-bred birds, and 

 perhaps also of the continental immigrants, pass the 

 cold season in Great Britain and Ireland ; but extensive 

 winter movements are performed under the pressure of 

 severe climatic conditions, which affect the food supply. 

 At that season many emigrate southwards and west- 

 wards, and others cross the Channel to the shores 

 of France. A number of minor or local movements, 

 due to varying weather influences, are also performed 

 in both autumn and winter in all parts of our islands 

 resorted to by this bird. Indeed, almost every decided 

 change in the weather results in some shifting of 

 quarters at these seasons. 



Our native Lapwings are widely distributed and 

 extremely numerous, and there can be little doubt 

 that they form the great majority of the individuals 

 which participate in the many and various migratory 

 movements undertaken by this species at different 

 seasons. 



Except the winter movements, when forced and 

 sometimes general retreats have to be undertaken, 

 the migrations of the Lapwing are very gradually 

 performed and cover an extended period in each 

 season ; but no general flights simultaneously per- 

 formed over any large section of our coasts have been 

 recorded. 



