198 EMIGRATION. 



but subsequently in somewhat larger flights than on their 

 departure in -the autumn. After resting a while in this 

 province to recruit their strength, they gradually make 

 their way into the interior. Many follow the western 

 coast; and should the weather be mild, delay but little 

 on the road, their flights being then longer, and their 

 rests fewer, than during the autumn. But if, on the 

 contrary, their progress northwards be impeded by ice 

 and snow, as often happens, whereby the stream of 

 emigration is, so to say, dammed up, they are compelled 

 to remain for a time on the coast, where they are then 

 often collected in considerable numbers. 



In Denmark, also, the periodical visits of the Wood- 

 cocks agree in point of time Avith their arrival and de- 

 parture from our shoi'es. " Their spring migrations," says 

 KjajrboUing, "commonly commence on the 12th March, 

 though occasionally some days earlier, and continue 

 for fourteen days ; but at times, owing to favourable 

 winds, for about four days only. They come to us and 

 depart for the North in company with the E-ed-winged 

 Thrush {Tiirdns iliacus), with a southerly wind, and 

 return in October with a north or north-easterly one. 

 Occasionally they wait for a fair wind to prosecute their 

 journey, until the lirst days of November, or even later. 

 Whilst migration lasts, they are plentiful everywhere." 



In Norway, the spring migrations of the Woodcock 

 are somewhat later than in Sweden and Denmark. " If 

 the season be a mild one," writes Professor Easch to me, 

 " one sometimes meets with this bird in the south-eastern 

 jiarts of the country, during the latter days of Mai"ch, though, 

 as a rule, not until the end of April ; but in the south- 

 western parts of Norway, Avhere individuals occasionally 

 winter, they are said to arrive in tlie beginning of April.* 



* If tliis be correct, it seems pretty clear that tlie Wcnidcock, wliou 

 luiiiiatiiin;, steers a straiiilit course across tlie North Sea. 



