18 Our Common Migrants. [Sess. 
as to the origin of islands. The islands of Bali and Lombok 
were given in illustration. 
Some of the theories of distribution were then described, 
taking Dr Wallace’s illustration of the genus Garrulus. The 
geographical distribution of the various species or local races 
of this genus were shown on a map. The lecturer then dealt 
with the geographical distribution of the Paride, and especi- 
ally considered the question of insular species, such as in the 
Canary Islands. 
The tree-creepers, nuthatches, chaffinches, bullfinches, king- 
fishers, barn-owls, and grouse were successively dealt with, and 
their distribution illustrated both by painted figures and maps. 
IV.—OUR COMMON MIGRANTS. 
By Mr CHARLES CAMPBELL. 
(Read Jan. 25, 1899.) 
To those whose tastes incline to a study of natural history, 
and who take a delight in watching birds in their native 
haunts, there is nothing more interesting than to note the 
coming and going of our migrants. Even from the earliest 
times this feature of bird life has been remarked, as in 
Jeremiah we read, “The stork in the heaven knoweth her 
appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow 
observe the time of their coming.” There is something almost 
mysterious in the way in which numbers of small, delicately 
formed birds are found scattered over a district, where a few 
hours previous not one of their kind was to be seen or heard. 
And the manner of their arrival is scarcely more remarkable 
than the regularity with which they make their appearance. 
Nearly all of them reach this country after long and pro- 
tracted flights, crossing the Mediterranean, the Bay of Biscay, 
and the English Channel. Year after year they arrive in the 
same localities almost to a day. 
