Catalogue of Birds. 99 



fat and easily shot. They are also a celebrated game bird in 

 St. Martin." 



'Mr. Julien's observations under Section II. undoubtedly all 

 relate to the migration of this species, which possesses peculiar 

 interest both from its regularity and the great distance accom- 

 plished without rest. The periodical southern flight takes place 

 at the end of August ; at that time a succession of flocks leaves 

 the North American continent about Nova Scotia, and striking 

 boldly out to sea they take a direct line south, passing over or 

 to the east of Bermuda, and making no stops, if not interfered 

 with by storms, until the West Indies are reached, even passing 

 over the first of these in their course. 



In some seasons large numbers suddenly appear on Montauk 

 Point, the easternmost extremity of Long Island. "What is 

 designated as Montauk Point is nine miles in length by one and 

 a half to two miles in breadth ; it is connected with the neigh- 

 boring portion of Long Island by a sand beach of five miles in 

 extent, and has the appearance of having at one time been 

 detached from it. It differs strikingly in formation and appear- 

 ance from the adjacent shore, consisting of a succession of 

 immense hills, with a bold rocky shore on the sea side. The 

 original sod on the entire Point remains unbroken by the 

 plough, being only used for pasturage ; excepting the Light- 

 house there are but three buildings upon it, these are occupied 

 by the keepers having in charge the stock sent there for the 

 summer. 



In August, 1858, I was spending a few days on the Point, 

 and had quarters with Mr. Patrick Gould, who occupied the 

 last or most easterly house ; he had long been a resident there, 

 and was an intelligent observer. I inquired of him in reference 

 to the great flights of Plover that occasionally took place ; he 

 stated that when they appeared in such numbers it was about 

 the 2Sth of August, not varying more than a day or two from 

 that time, and then only when a south-east storm drove them 

 on the island from their regular course over the sea. I had 



