76 IN BIRD LAND. 
Wil: 
WINGED VOYAGEKS: 
HE subject of bird migration is one of absorb- 
ing interest, presenting many a perplexing 
problem to the student who cares to go into the 
philosophy of things. Why do the birds make these 
wonderful semi-annual pilgrimages, and whence came 
the original impulse, are questions often asked. With 
my limited opportunities for observation I cannot 
hope to shed much, if any, new light on the sub- 
ject; yet it seems to me that some persons are dis- 
posed to invest it with more of an air of mystery than 
is really necessary. There are several patent, if not 
wholly satisfactory, reasons that may be assigned 
for the migrating impulse. 
As this is not a scientific treatise, the writer will 
not be over-methodical in presenting these reasons, 
but will mention them in the order in which they 
occur to him. If we keep in mind the invariable 
succession of the seasons, and that this annual rota- 
tion has continued for ages, and if we also remem- 
ber that all animals are dowered by their Creator 
with as much intelligence as is necessary for their 
well-being, much of the difficulty attaching to this 
subject will at once disappear. Birds, like their 
