INTRODUCTION. xxvii 



other species prolong theirs into May. There is a good deal of coasting migration 

 over the British Islands during May amongst Wild Fowl of most species, and in 

 not a few instances this is continued into June, especially with hirds that breed 

 in the far north, such as Knots, Grey Plovers, Turnstones, Curlew Sandpipers, 

 Sanderlings, Whimbrels, and Bar-tailed Godwits. Among the Ducks, Brent 

 Geese, Teal, and Wigeon may be instanced as prolonging their passage into 

 June. This month, however, brings to a close the spring migration northwards 

 of our British Wild Fowl. Vertical migration commences fairly early, as soon 

 as the uplands are sufficiently open to furnish food, with the passage of Lapwings 

 in February, the Golden Plover, the Curlew, and the Dunlin, for instance, in 

 March. In our islands this vertical migration ceases in May. 



We have scarcely remarked the last departing fowl northwards in spring and 

 early summer before signs of the returning birds begin to be apparent. Among 

 the Ducks we occasionally have indications of a southern migration in July, with 

 such species as Brent Geese, Mallards, and Common Scoters ; among Wading 

 birds with such species as Grey Plovers, Golden Plovers, Lapwings, Turnstones, 

 Eedshanks, Curlews, Bar-tailed Godwits, Knots, and Sanderlings. In August, 

 the migration of birds of the Duck tribe becomes slightly more apparent by the 

 earliest arrivals of Bernacle Geese, Whoopers, Teals, Wigeons, Scaups, and Velvet 

 Scoters. These individuals, however, are but pioneers of the hosts that are to 

 arrive during the few succeeding months. During August, a few Corn Crakes, 

 Spotted Crakes, and Stone Curlews, leave their British breeding grounds and 

 draw south ; the Turtle Dove is also in movement this month ; whilst the 

 numbers of Grey Plovers, Golden Plovers, Lapwings, Turnstones, Eedshanks, 

 Curlews, Knots, and Sanderlings, perceptibly increase. Migration is also com- 

 menced by the Grey Phalarope, the Woodcock, the Common Snipe, the Buff, and 

 the Dunlin, in August ; whilst Whimbrels, Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshanks, 

 Wood and Green Sandpipers, are also leaving us, or in movement coasting south. 

 In September, migration rapidly increases in intensity. To the list of arrivals 

 must now be added (in small numbers) the Pink-footed Goose, the Pintail, the 

 Pochard, the Tufted Duck, and the Golden-eye. Among Waders, we may 

 mention that the Jack Snipe and the Purple Sandpiper begin to return to their 

 British winter haunts. Among the departures of our summer migrants may be 

 instanced the Garganey, the Turtle Dove, and the Quail, the passage of all three 

 species being prolonged into the following month. The Corn Crake, the Spotted 

 Crake, and the Stone Curlew are also migrating strongly now. Coasting migrants 

 perceptibly increase in numbers, especially Plovers, Sandpipers, Whimbrels, 

 Godwits, and the first of the Stints. The Eed-necked Phalarope now begins to 

 leave its summer quarters, and the Avocet, and the Green and Wood Sandpipers, 

 complete their autumn passage. 



So far as the Duck tribe is concerned, October inaugurates migration on the 

 grandest scale. The migration of every species is strongly marked, birds pouring 



