258 Henshaw, Migration of the Pacific Plover. \ju^ 



which, in the case of these early birds, is practically completed dur- 

 ing the month of March, though individuals continue to moult far 

 into April and some no doubt complete the final stages in iVlaska.^ 

 Doubtless the individuals to moult first in spring are the adults which 

 arrive first, and finish the fall moult first; and doubtless, too, these 

 are the birds first to leave Hawaii for their breeding grounds in 

 Alaska. So protracted is the moult of the species that it is probably 

 true that during the stay of this plover in Hawaii — from middle 

 August till May — there is not a month when some individuals are 

 not moulting. 



There is no reason for believing that the plover summering in the 

 islands which, as before stated, are chiefly if not wholly immature 

 birds, participate in the spring moult. At all events the Hawaiian 

 sinnmer plover and turnstones that I have seen were, without excep- 

 tion, in the winter garb. 



Why the Plover migrafes. — We have thus seen that what at first 

 might appear a physical impossibility — the 2000-mile flight of 

 small birds across an ocean highway, without a single landmark 

 and with only the friendly winds to guide them, if indeed, they 

 utilize these as guides — is not only possible, but the feat is accom- 

 plished annually by many thousands of individuals, and that too 

 apparently with no stops for rest and food. The wonder of it is 

 but increased when we realize that these annual flights are under- 

 taken solely for the purpose of making a sojourn of a few brief 

 weeks in Alaska to nest and rear their young. The hazards of 

 such journeys are very great — much greater than any land mi- 

 gration however prolonged — and there is no doubt that of the 

 thousands daring the perils of the trip from Alaska many are lost, 

 either by missing the islands altogether or by being caught in storms; 

 or by reason of insufficient strength and wing power. The flight 

 from the islands to Alaska, though not without danger, is less 

 hazardous than the southern flight, both because a much greater 

 proportion of the migrants are mature and experienced, and 

 because, in case they lose their way, they have two continents as 

 marks to hit. 



1 1 have several specimens taken in March and April which were kindly sent me 

 by my friends Mr. Henry Patten and Mr. W. B. Newell of Hilo. These are in 

 spring plumage but show unmistakable signs of molting. 



