39 
appointed times; and the turtle and the swallow and the crane 
Observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the 
ordinance of the Lord.’ 
_ The Greek poet, Anacreon, who liyed in the sixth century, 
B.o., sings of the swallow returning to nest beneath the roofs, and 
bring up its young, in the summer, and then hiding in the winter 
or seeking Egypt or the Nile; and the Persians and the Arabs 
eompiled portions of their calendar from the coming and going of 
migratory birds, and held festivals in honour of the warmer season 
heralded by their return. In the 18th century of our era, birds 
were supposed to migrate to the moon. There are still a few 
naturalists who believe that some birds may hibernate through the 
winter in the same lands in which they have spent their summer, 
whilst the majority of their species migrate, but I think there is 
ho positive evidence of hibernation published, and the Duke of 
Argyll, who is rather favourable to hibernation, writes: “I think 
it clear, however, that migration is the almost universal rule with 
birds. Hibernation must be a very exceptional circumstance.” 
- There was also a theory that swallows and swifts hibernated 
beneath the water. This probably had its origin in the fact that 
swallows are particularly fond of frequenting sheets of water, 
especially in autumn, at which season vast numbers often resort: 
to reed and osier beds to roost. In skimming to and fro, they 
often drink or bathe, and repeatedly strike the surface with their 
wings. This may have suggested a disappearance beneath the 
surface. Pos 
Now let us consider some of the various conditions under which 
migration is practised. Birds must of course have their plumage 
at its best to undertake the enormous flight required of them, so 
that young birds generally migrate as soon as all their feathers are 
fuliy developed, and the adults start for their autumn migration 
soon after moulting. The typical wings of migratory birds are 
long, and pointed, ard flat, and the plumage is generally close and 
¢ompact. Many migratory birds moult twice a year, in spring and 
autumn. A very few (common sandpiper) moult in autumn after 
their migration. The order in which the individuals of a species 
migrate is generally very regular. Birds, which for some reason 
r another have not been able to breed, or have accidentally lost 
their eggs or young broods, leave their summer quarters first, 
They are the pioneers, the “ avant couriéres” of the migratory, 
army, and they are but few in number. Strange, impossible ag it 
mnay seem, the young birds that have never travelled before are the 
hext to start! They travel in their first plumage, and often start 
@8 soon as they can fly. Later come the adulé males, then the 
adult females, and then birds that have been delayed by accident 
