MIGRATION OF SHORE-BIRDS iii 



the full swing of shore-bird migration is in operation. A 

 noticeable increase in curlews (noted by their different manners 

 and unwary movements) occurs in October. Shore-birds are 

 in this month as numerous as they will be, if no severe weather 

 influences an immigration from the Continent. Thus, in the 

 months of January and February, knots, in very hard winters, 

 congregate in enormous flocks on our coasts. 



In August some local migration of wildfowl takes place. We 

 are in this month visited by the first lots of mallard leaving their 

 breeding haunts, as well as other fowl, such as shovelers, teal, 

 tufted duck, and pochards. A few widgeon — probably those 

 which breed in the northern parts of Scotland or at no higher 

 latitude — are often met with in England during August. Of 

 course, a few odd pairs breed in England, but the widgeon 

 „seen in August undoubtedly outnumber those which breed 

 |in this country. 



October brings with it the arrival of large numbers of 

 Fwidgeon and mallard, but the latter species may be said to 

 [come in the largest flocks in November. Grey geese reach 

 [us in force during October, and increase in number until the 

 lend of November. Some pass further south. In February they 

 [return, and during this month are most numerous on the tide- 

 /^ays. Whether large numbers of grey geese (pink-footed) 

 [which have journeyed south along the Continent return via the 

 [British Isles I cannot say, but it is undoubted that when these 

 )irds are congregating to go north they are seen in the largest 

 locks. Brent, compared with other fowl, reach us late. Few 

 [are here before November, and in general they are not looked 

 [for in great numbers until after Christmas. The severity of a 

 [winter has much to do with the number of brent which reach 

 [our shores. Their proper migratory season is over long before 

 [the inclement weather drives them in big lots to the British 

 [Isles ; thus it might be stated that brent, and to an extent all 

 feese, are subject to local migration, which is partly governed 



