Migration in the Northern Shires. 293 



very rarely seen about the South Yorkshire woods 

 and fields. Now come the periodical snow-storms 

 that usually punctuate a Yorkshire winter, and with 

 them bird-life becomes more or less disorganized. 

 We have now much wandering to and fro, the recur- 

 ring frosts drive birds from their usual haunts, and we 

 meet with species in localities where they are seldom 

 seen at any other time. Many birds change their 

 food at such times; but others, not so adaptable, 

 perish in large numbers, especially Redwings. From 

 time to time flocks of Plovers or strings of Geese 

 may be seen crossing over from one sea-board to the 

 other, and the whole month is filled with consider- 

 able unrest among the feathered tribe. Avine song 

 in this dreary month is principally confined to the 

 Missel-thrush, the Robin, the Wren, and the Star- 

 ling; more rarely the Sky-lark and the Hedge 

 Accentor sing. And so the month draws on, and 

 gradually completes the cycle of the year with the 

 advent of January, the latter bringing with it a few 

 slight changes that indicate the beginning of another 

 round of avine phenomena. 



THE END. 



