112 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



by the weather. Of course, brent occur every year, but for 

 great numbers to visit us we are much dependent on the severity 

 of the winter on the Continent. The severity of our winters 

 counts as little on this score, except that when hard the fowl 

 are not so difficult to procure. Bernacle, although allied to 

 brent, more closely resemble the grey geese in their migratory 

 movements. Being marsh-feeders, bernacle geese frequent very 

 local areas in our islands. The bernacle has frequently been 

 shot in August. At this season they have been met with at 

 places which are not usually visited by them. As this fowl 

 is fairly common as an ornamental waterfowl, it may be 

 possible that these early visitors are "escapes." 



In spring a return of the fowl and shore-birds takes place. 

 The majority of the wildfowl leave us first. The shore-birds 

 which have wintered further south, such as the whimbrel and 

 curlew-sandpiper, pass our shores in May. A few linger 

 until the first week in June. All the summer a few straggling 

 shore-birds may be seen on the coast, including godwits, 

 turnstones, grey plover, sanderlings, and knots. These may 

 be immatures which have not gone on to breed, or possibly 

 they are either barren or "pricked " birds. 



The fact that birds which nest with us but move south in 

 autumn, while others of the species from the north taking their 

 place, touches the question of migration pure and simple, serv- 

 ing well to illustrate the theory that food and cold do not at 

 present influence the migration of birds, as many suppose. 

 Migration of birds is caused by something more than the 

 immediate necessity and demand for food, although in the ages 

 past this has played an important part in bringing about the 

 habit. We have many mysterious little points touching migra- 

 tion which might be discussed at length to advantage, but to 

 which it is impossible to refer more than briefly, such as the 

 fact that many species after enduring long migratory journeys 

 will starve to death sooner than go further south. I cite the 



