SU BRITISH BIRDS. 



it is crediting a bird mth such marvellous memory for detailed 

 observation as no human being would have. 



Mr. Coward seems to doubt the existence of an east to west 

 migration across the North Sea, but one of the commonest 

 migrations to be seen on our east coast is the arrival of Rooks, 

 Crows, etc., in autumn, from the east, and their departure 

 to the east in the spring ; moreover, Gatke's " absurd state- 

 ments " as to the leeward drift of these birds in a strong 

 wind can be verified every year by any one who takes the 

 trouble. The author further thinks that the recovery of a 

 few Hooded Crows in localities not due east or west of where 

 they were " ringed." proves " conclusively the fallacy of 

 Gatke's due east to west flight." This we consider a serious 

 blunder, as insufficient data has been obtained, and he does 

 not seem to realize the possibility of more than one route 

 for this species. Another serious error into which the author 

 needlessly falls is in saying that the Greenland Wheatear 

 winters in east Africa, even to the south of the Equator, 

 whereas, as is well known, the majority of these birds winter 

 in the Senegambia and Senegal districts of west Africa ; in 

 passing we may note that ^ve know of no proof that this race 

 "loiters through Britain," though it is a well-known bird-of- 

 passage. A small error we may note is that Puffins certainly 

 do not invariably migrate " by slow nautical stages, swim- 

 ming and feeding as they go," since many of these birds are 

 found in the Mediterranean in the early spring, many hundreds 

 of miles from their nearest breeding-places, and we have 

 witnessed in that sea in April a very strong determined 

 migration by flying. 



At the end is a bibliography of some of the more-known 

 articles dealing with bird migration, and an index is also 

 appended. 



In spite of many statements open to a difference of opinion, 

 and some blunders, this little book will be undoubtedly useful 

 to those who are beginners in ornithology or know nothing 

 of migration, for ^^•hom the book is evidently primarily 

 intended. C. B. Ticehurst. 



