92 THE FLIGHT OF BIRDS 
from wing-tip to wing-tip was only 18 inches. In 
fact it was a very short, broad, much-curved wing. 
The Pheasant’s wing belongs to the same class; it 
is very short (in a hen bird of which I took measure- 
ments, only 2034 inches); very broad (6 inches) ; 
and the curve in this particular bird was no less than 
14 inches—14 in 6! (see Pl. xtmt). 
The Hoopoe’s wing is very much of the same build 
—unfortunately I cannot give exact measurements 
—and yet, when the season of migration comes 
round, many Hoopoes manage somehow to flap 
across the Mediterranean. As a rule migrating birds 
are characterized by wings of a very different make, 
and it sometimes happens that the wing is the 
feature in which they present the most striking 
contrast to their non-migratory kin. The clamorous 
Reed-Warbler, that is resident in Egypt, shows by 
his wings that he does not migrate—they are so very 
short. The migrant Reed-Warblers have decidedly 
longer and more pointed wings. As to the Hoopoe 
and its short, broad wings, it must be remembered 
that though it manages to cross the Mediterranean 
when the conditions are favourable, yet its migration 
flights are comparatively short. Some, I believe, 
do not migrate at all. If they are delayed by clouds 
while crossing the Mediterranean, their strength is 
apt to give out, whereas Herons and Swallows, to 
take two examples, have a reserve of vitality and 
will fly round a steamboat for hours, till, perhaps, 
the weather clears again, when with unflagging 
strength they will continue their journey. 
To pass on to the Red-legged Partridge, I found 
the depth of the curve to be 1inch, as in the Jay, but 
