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not bred, and could not, as there were no bank sides suitable for 

 them to breed in. The reason of their coming is not obvious ; 

 they come to particular places, and although they come to such 

 places in autumn, sometimes each year, they do not remain long, 

 but merely seem to come in passing. Was the Kingfisher ever 

 a common bird in Northumberland? There probably are in- 

 stances known of its having bred, but is it not possible that those 

 which are to be found stuffed have been collected year after year 

 for a number of years ? and may they not have been shot during 

 a temporary residence only, at the places where they were ob- 

 tained ? Many of the rivers in Northumberland seem scarcely 

 suitable for it to breed near; they seem to be too rapid and 

 stony. Are not the places where it is most frequently observed 

 quiet, almost still, clear, deep waters, with occasional shallows, 

 overhung with trees, and sometimes even at ponds ? "Where are 

 the Kingfishers coming from, and whither going, which visit us 

 in autumn ? We generally suppose that birds migrate towards 

 the south as winter approaches, but is the Kingfisher commonly 

 met with further north? The Crested Grebe and the Eared 

 Grebe are not uncommon on our coast, and the Little Grebe is 

 common at some places in winter, but they do not appear to breed 

 so far north as Northumberland. 



I cannot help thinking that my argument must hold good to a 

 certain extent, which is this, that many birds come to us totally 

 irrespective of others of the same species having been previously 

 here, whether killed, or protected, or not ; and I come to the 

 conclusion from the fact of birds, and even whole flocks of mig- 

 ratory birds, coming in autumn, which are often composed en- 

 tirely of young birds hatched that year, no birds of greater age 

 being observed either migrating before them or accompanying 

 them. Certainly my observations relate principally to wilding 

 birds ; but if it is so with them, why may it not be the same with 

 others ? I should state that the plumage of the young birds of 

 that tribe varies so much from that of the old birds, that any 

 mistake to a person acquainted with the species is not likely to 

 occur. Many wading birds merely pay us migratory visits in 

 passing and repassing in spring and autumn, and many of the- 



