1 86 THE MIGRATION OF BRITISH BIRDS 



last that will ever essay the attempt. Nothing, then, 

 short of absolute re-introduction by human aid will 

 re-establish them in our islands, as we know by ex- 

 perience. Such sedentary species as the Bearded Tit- 

 mouse will never again attempt to enter our area 

 normally. The Capercaillie, also a sedentary species, 

 would never normally have become a British species 

 again had not man's assistance been given, although 

 we know for an absolute fact that our islands were 

 and are suited in every way to its requirements, as 

 experience has shown. Nothing short of rc-introduction 

 by man would ever establish the Gray-Lag Goose in the 

 lowland counties again ; as a breeding species it has 

 passed north never normally to return. Professor 

 Newton, in his very interesting paper on the Great 

 Flood in the Fens during the winter of 1852-3 i^Trans. 

 Norfolk and Norivich Nat. Soc), records that among 

 other species that appeared with the return of more 

 favourable conditions, due to the flooding of the land, 

 were the Black Tern and the Redshank, which might 

 seem like instances of pure re-colonization ; but both 

 these species have not yet been entirely banished from 

 the district. No return of such utterly banished birds 

 as Spoonbills, Avocets, Cranes, and Gray Lag Geese 

 (all completely exterminated) was remarked. 



Knowing then what we do of the Laws of Avian 

 dispersal, let us employ our knowledge while there is 

 yet time in saving at least a remnant of that rich and 

 interesting avifauna that has vanished from our shores, 

 by protecting that remnant jealously from persecution 

 and wanton, senseless destruction. 



