26 



places are at that season taken by birds which come from a dis- 

 tance. I have seen flocks of young Teal migrating along the 

 shore as early as July. Many migratory birds, particularly those 

 which come in winter, appear to come in greater or less quanti- 

 ties according to the wetness or dryness of the season, the supply 

 of food, and the severity or mildness of the season ; perhaps not 

 here only. Those species which come few in number and appear 

 rare, are probably mere stragglers from the greater numbers 

 which are passing eastward, and which are probably equally nu- 

 merous as a species, but which come here, I think, totally irre- 

 spective of the number shot or caught here. When we take into 

 consideration the number of such species as the Brentgoose and 

 "Wigeon, not only those which come to us, but those which spread 

 themselves over other countries in winter, a few hundreds killed, 

 more or less, really amounts to nothing, and no fewer will come 

 the following year in consequence of their having been killed. 



The Crossbill and the Chatterer seem to come most curiously, 

 particularly the latter bird. Many years sometimes elapse be- 

 tween their visits. Can it be supposed that shooting a few when 

 they do come has anything to do with the number that may come 

 in after years ? I think not. But at the same time I do not 

 wish to have them killed when they do come, but should be only 

 too glad to have an opportunity of seeing them every year, and 

 in great numbers. 



Can any one tell us any thing about the departure of the Corn- 

 crakes? They leave us in the same mysterious manner year 

 after year, and we get no more knowledge about them. If man 

 could control the flight of birds, either by protection or any other 

 means, what capital sport might be had with this species. In 

 summer, in many districts, every meadow holds a nest ; yet, after 

 their general autumnal migration which must take place early 

 ;ui'l by night, or they would be observed, it is an uncommon 

 occurrence rather than otherwise to meet with one, though some- 

 times one may be met with so late as December even. 



Probably, were the feeding grounds of the birds not destroyed 

 and curtailed, and they had space left them where they could 

 sometimes retire to, we should still have abundance of them, in 



