XIV 



MIGRATION 3 6 5 



affects only one migration, cither that of spring or 

 autumn, since the large quills arc shed only once in 

 the year. The Swallow having his one moult in early 

 spring is detained in England by family cares only. 

 The Swift leaves us much earlier, and as he rears only 

 one brood, and as his main moult takes place in spring 

 he is free to go. The old Cuckoos go, as a rule, before 

 August ; like the Swift they moult chiefly in spring, 

 and their young are in the charge of others. The 

 majority of our migrants shed their wing feathers in 

 autumn, and, if it were not for that, would, probably, 

 start southwards earlier. 



In spring the order of departure is reversed. First 

 come the old cock birds, the finest of all it is said 

 leading the van ; then old hen birds ; then old hen birds 

 and young birds mixed ; then young birds alone ; 

 and, lastly, cripples in every stage of dilapidation. 

 In some cases it may be that two sets start together, 

 but that the stronger birds outstrip the weaker and 

 hence the different dates of arrival for the different 

 sexes and ages. But Mr. Seebohm speaks of the 

 young Swallows at Natal being later with their moult- 

 ing than the old birds, and this necessitates a later 

 start. Besides, if it were a race for which all 

 started level, probably some of the hen birds would 

 arrive with the first detachment, and this docs not 

 seem to happen. 



Partial l\Iigvant$. 



This name has been given to species some indi- 

 viduals of which migrate, while others remain resident 

 throughout the year. In England the old Robins 



