XXVI 



INTRODUCTION. 



and will be again alluded to when we deal with the months of its arrival and 

 departure. It will, perhaps, be most convenient to deal with the migrational 

 phenomena as they occur from month to month. During the depth of winter 

 true migration may be at perfect rest, but at this season there is an immense 

 amount of movement in progress amongst Wild Fowl. This is largely dependent 

 upon the prevailing state of the weather and the vicissitudes of food supply. In 

 February migration may be justly said to commence among Wild Fowl. During 

 that month we have evidence of movement among Geese, Swans, and Ducks, 

 especially of the more boreal species, the first signs of their spring migration 

 northwards from our waters. Migration among wading birds is not, however, so 

 pronounced at this period, although Golden Plovers, Lapwings, Grey Phalaropes, 

 Woodcock, Common and Jack Snipes, Redshanks, and Curlews show unmistak- 

 able signs of moving north, north-east, or east. With the advent of March 

 migration reaches a much stronger phase. Ring Doves and Stock Doves are 

 migrating back to Continental districts ; almost without exception every species 

 of British Duck, Goose, or Swan is now passing from our islands or coasting 

 over them towards the breeding grounds, a state of things that will continue 

 with increasing frequency for weeks. The Smew closes its passage this month. 

 Greater migrational activity also prevails among Waders. Golden Plovers and 

 Lapwings continue to migrate out of our area ; Grey Plovers begin their 

 northern movement, and numbers of this latter species also pass along our 

 coasts ; perhaps the greater number of our Snipes migrate north during March. 

 Curlews and Redshanks are still leaving us, and this month the Dunlin begins to 

 move out of the country as well as to pass along the coasts ; the Purple Sand- 

 piper also initiates its passage. Towards the end of March the Garganey 

 appears. The migration north of Ducks continues throughout April, as also does 

 the departure of the Ring Dove and Stock Dove. During this month we remark 

 the first appearance of those Waders that have wintered south of our area. Now 

 the Stone Curlew arrives, the first of the Kentish Plovers, and Dotterels, 

 the Red-necked Phalarope, the Ruff, the Common Sandpiper, the Wood and 

 Green Sandpipers, the Greenshank, the Whimbrel, and the Black-tailed Godwit. 

 Ringed Plovers are passing north along our coast, Avocets are seen, and Bar- 

 tailed Godwits are coasting us. Now also appear the first of the Little and 

 Temminck's Stints, the Curlew Sandpiper, and the Knot : Sanderlings are now 

 in strong movement. Towards the end of April, Quails, Corn Crakes, and Spotted 

 Crakes arrive in our Islands to breed, and the Turtle Dove in small numbers 

 makes its appearance. These four latter species are, however, better classed as 

 May migrants. By the end of April the migrations of the Bean and Pink- 

 footed Geese are practically over, but all the other British species of Geese, 

 together with the Swans, prolong their movements into early May, mostly 

 coasting migrants. Among the Ducks, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Long- 

 tailed Duck, and Golden-eye complete their passage practically in April, but the 



