116 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
their way north. Without fail each year I observed some, 
though, I am sorry to say, their numbers were smaller each 
succeeding year, until in 1900 I was only able to record two 
birds. The most striking feature lay in the fact that, no 
matter what kind of weather prevailed, they were there within 
a couple of days of their time. I think this will serve as a fair 
instance to show how punctual migratory birds are in their 
rush northwards. I may mention that these dotterel always 
arrived during the night, and after staying a day—sometimes 
two—they generally departed in the evening or at night. 
What thoughts must arise in the mind of the naturalist 
who is ever on the look out for spring migrants when he 
observes a species which he knows is a far north breeding bird 
staying with us until June, and returning to our islands with 
young ones in the last few days of July! It is most un- 
accountable ; nevertheless, such is the case with the turnstone 
and sanderling. It has been observed, however, that a good 
number of sanderling leave our shores for the north in the early 
part of May, and perhaps the young we meet with in July are 
the progeny of these particular birds ; but I very much hesitate 
to state that it is impossible for them to be birds bred even 
from parents leaving us in June, for migratory birds are 
most wonderful creatures. 
