262 THE MIGRATION OF BRITISH BIRDS 



east, in fact, show signs of autumn migration in July, 

 By the middle of the month flocks of northern waders 

 begin to appear upon the coasts, mostly composed of 

 young, but with a few old birds intermixed. As August 

 comes on, the migration of all these northern and north- 

 eastern species becomes decidedly stronger, reaching 

 its climax perhaps during the latter half of that month 

 and the first half of September ; and, generally speak- 

 ing, dying down again towards the end of the latter 

 month. Among these migrants must be included many 

 individuals of species that remain in our islands during 

 the winter ; many others, however, simply pass them 

 as coasting migrants. The hardier species are later to 

 arrive. Thus no migration into our area of the Bram- 

 bling or the Fieldfare is apparent until September, and 

 even then the passage is slight, not assuming large pro- 

 portions until October, and even November. The Red- 

 wings' migration is apparent in August, stronger in 

 September, and attains its maximum in October ; but 

 as we know this Thrush is more of an insect feeder, and 

 its food is affected by frosts much sooner than that of 

 the hardier berry- and seed-eating Fieldfare and Bramb- 

 ling. Coasting migration among the Charadriida;, and 

 the Terns and Skuas, is strongest during September 

 and October ; but amongst the Ducks and Geese it is 

 at its maximum in October and November. 



Although there is abundant evidence that migration 

 into or across the British Islands begins in July, there 

 is little or no evidence to suggest that a southern move- 

 ment begins at all strongly during that month amongst 

 individuals that breed in them. There is some evidence 

 to suggest that a few individuals of such species as 

 Spotted Flycatchers, Whitethroats, Willow Wrens, and 



