90 MTGRA TION AND FLIGHT. 



occurred at Flamborough Head, where we have been informed 

 that Ducks, Woodcocks, Starlings, Fieldfares, Redwings, and 

 in short every species of the migratory tribes, have fallen 

 victims to the attractive but unintentional decoy. The aston- 

 ishing number of seventeen dozen of Starlings were, at the 

 latter end of 1836, picked up near the above-mentioned light- 

 house, having been killed, maimed, or stupefied by flying 

 against the dome of that brilliant light. 



It has been observed that the time of departure of certain 

 birds is by no means so exact as that of their arrival ; which 

 may be accounted for by a natural disinclination on the part 

 of the old ones to desert the nests of young ones still requir- 

 ing their care. But even this most powerful of all instincts, 

 the attachment of a parent to its young, is not in all cases 

 strong enough to conquer the still stronger impulse for migra- 

 tion ; for Swallows will actually desert their nests, and leave 

 helpless little ones to perish by hunger, rather than remain 

 long after their companions. A pair of Martins, which had 

 deserted their family in the autumn, on returning in the 

 spring, were observed to draw out the dead bodies of three 

 nearly full-fledged nestlings. Another pair acted in a different 

 manner ; after vainly endeavouring to drag out the bodies, 

 which had most probably formed a dried mass with the wool 

 and feathers in the interior, they entirely closed up the open- 

 ing of the nest with clay, and leaving them thus entombed, 

 proceeded to build another nursery. 



As much interest and amusement may be derived from 

 watching and expecting the arrival and departure of our 

 migratory birds, we annex a list of a few of the most common, 

 with the earliest and latest dates which have come under our 

 observation. 



Date of Date of 



Appearance. Departure. 



Sand Martin March 27 Sept. ai. 



Chimney Swallow.. April n Oct. 20. 



Martin March 20 Oct. 20. 



Swift April 27 Sept. 15. 



Redstart April 6 Sept. 5. 



Date of Date of 

 Appearance. Departure. 



Whitethroat April 6 Sept 8. 



Cuckoo April 10 June 30. 



Redwing Sept. 26 A 



Fieldfare Sept. 29 May 



Woodcock Oct. 15 April c. 



Having thus noticed, as extensively as our limits would 



