NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES 



this would gradually raise the standard of migratory 

 capacity. 



How do Birds find their Way 



The most difficult question in regard to the 

 migration of birds is : How do the birds find their 

 way ? We cannot at present give an answer. For 

 many years yet it may be necessary to work patiently 

 at easier questions, such as : What way do they find ? 



No doubt the wonder is great that birds return 

 from the south to their birthplace in the north ; 

 that inexperienced young birds make a long journey, 

 often overseas, to suitable winter quarters, with 

 success in a large proportion of cases ; that they 

 keep their direction in the dark and at great heights 

 and while flying over pathless waters. It is true 

 that there are many failures, a crop of tragedies 

 every year, a never-ceasing sifting, but the marvel is 

 that there are so many successes in one of the most 

 daring of life's adventures. We cannot answer the 

 question, but it is interesting to notice some of the 

 many suggestions that have been made in regard 

 to the way -finding. (1) It has been suggested that 

 success in way-finding may be due to inherited 

 experience, growing from generation to generation, 

 enriched year after year by many little contribu- 

 tions. But no one can be sure that experience can 

 be handed on in this way, and it is very difficult to 

 explain what the experience would be in the case of 

 birds flying by night, often at great heights, and 

 across the sea, as so many do. > 



(2) An attractive theory is that of social tradition, 

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