290 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 
The spring migration of birds over the British _ 
Islands has scarcely ceased, before the first signs of 
the autumn flight begin to be apparent along the 
coast. Of course, this early autumn migration is 
first noticeable upon our northern and eastern 
coast-lines. Certainly, by the middle of July, a 
few of the Arctic wading birds may be noticed 
on the shore, or flying south along the coast. 
Towards the end of the month, and early in 
August, the number of these returning migrants 
increases. Young Knots and Gray Plovers, with 
odd adult birds, appear upon the sands and mud- 
flats. Almost at the same time we may notice 
the Common Sandpiper back again upon the — 
shore, followed by Lapwings, Ringed Plovers, 
Greenshanks, and Curlews. Then various small 
birds begin to drift along the coast, on their 
passage south—Swifts, Wheatears, Willow Wrens, _ 
and Whinchats. Throughout August the migra- 
tion of birds gets stronger and stronger, and 
towards the end of the month, and early in 
September, our own summer migrants begin to 
leave the country. Warblers and Swallows, 
Wheatears, Flycatchers, Thrushes, Wagtails, and 
Pipits, may be met with from time to time, along 
the coast, all bent upon early departure. The wide 
reaches of mud and sand, often so dull and un- 
interesting, and devoid of bird-life, in summer, 
are rapidly filling with a new population, Plovers 
and Sandpipers appearing upon them from day 
