tered with us ? On the 4th of August I had a Green Sandpiper 

 sent to me. It is ten days earlier than the young birds usually 

 arrive : it was, however, an old bird, having nearly lost the 

 freckled with white plumage on the upper parts, and the quills 

 and tail were moulting. It is the first time I have noticed an 

 old bird returned immediately after breeding ; and on the 14th 

 of August I saw two Greenshanks, evidently passing on their 

 southern journey, as they were not at the same place on the fol- 

 lowing day. On imitating their wild cry one came very near, 

 flying with the usual vigorous flight of the species. Their flight 

 appears nearly as superior to that of the Redshank as that of the 

 Swift does to the Martins and Swallows. It is easily known 

 on the wing from the Redshank by the absence of white on the 

 quills : indeed, the wings of the Greenshank look quite black, 

 and contrast well with its white body, particularly as it is seen 

 when alighting. Near here, at this season, the Greenshank is 

 as often seen near shallow pools of fresh water and at a distance 

 from the sea side as near it : later on in the season, when it is 

 seen, it is always by the sea side. On the 6th of July I met 

 with the Redshank breeding on the Northumberland moors, 

 thirty miles from the sea: the young were capable of flying 

 short distances only, the quill not being of their full length. 

 C. M. A. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne). 



MIGRATORY BIRDS. 



(Reprinted from " The Field" Newspaper, June 1th, 1862.) 



You have many notices of the appearance of the usual migratory 

 small birds. It is curious to observe how nearly some of them 

 come to a particular day each year ; equally curious is the mys- 

 terious manner in which they do come. Perhaps the first ap- 

 pearance of a species is observed where you would not expect to 

 hear of it ; then several notices of its appearance are recorded in 

 various places ; but how do the enormous quantities of Willow 

 Wrens, Swallows, and other warblers, get dispersed over the 

 ruuntry :i" tln-y do in their unobtrusive manner? You go out 



