288 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 
the departure of such birds that are found only 
in winter in the British Islands—Redwings, Field- 
fares, Bramblings, Siskins, Snow Buntings, and so 
on. The departure of these birds begins in 
February, or early March, and lasts until the 
beginning of May. About the same time, also, 
many coast birds pass from our islands, such as 
Golden Plovers, Lapwings, Curlews, Redshanks, 
Woodcocks, and Snipes—that is to say, the 
migratory individuals of these species that only 
visit us during winter. Ducks and Geese also 
begin to move north, and many indications of 
their passage may be seen by the careful observer 
of birds along the shore. March, April, and May, 
the two former months especially, is the period of 
their departure. At this season, also, many indi- 
viduals of these species pass along our coast 
districts from more southern countries, on their 
way to northern haunts. These birds are known 
as coasting migrants. The most typical of these 
coasting migrants, and those that may be readily — 
distinguished, are such species as Whimbrels, 
Ringed Plovers, Sanderlings, Stints, Skuas, and 
Curlew Sandpipers. Whimbrels are very regular 
in their appearance, arriving at the end of April, 
and the migration continuing through May. 
Early in March, on our southern coasts, the 
purely summer visitors begin to be seen, W ood- 
cocks and Pied Wagtails, amongst others, making 
their appearance. Towards the end of March, 
