A BIRDLQVER'S YEAR 



partridges are once again strong on the 

 wing, whilst the lordly pheasant has but a 

 short time more of security ere covert 

 shooting begins. 



One of the conspicuous signs of autumn 

 in the bird world is the assembling of certain 

 birds into little parties. The starlings begin 

 to " pack " in earnest, flying over the fields 

 in little companies which increase in numbers, 

 as the days decrease in length. Finches are 

 also to be seen in companies which fly to 

 and fro, and on Tayside there is usually an 

 incursion of pied wagtails en route for more 

 southern quarters. 



The oyster-catchers are moving towards 

 the coast, whilst the swallows are preparing 

 for their long journey to far southern climes ; 

 there is a general air of activity and briskness, 

 for expiring summer and advancing winter 

 are preparing to join hands. During this 

 month the autumn migrations of birds reach 

 their greatest magnitude. Vast numbers of 

 summer residents begin to move south from 

 Northern Europe, with the result that our 

 country is flooded by successive .rushes of 

 migrants. 



In contradistinction to these departing 

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