PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 193 



It also breeds in the Azores and Canaries, and in North-west Africa from Marocco 

 to Algeria. In Asia it is found across the continent north to about lat. 65 and 

 south to Transcaspia, the Persian mountain ranges, Kashmir, and the Lakes of 

 Tibet ; also in Japan and the Kuriles. In America it ranges from the Arctic 

 coasts to the United States, chiefly on the western side of the continent. In 

 whiter its migration range extends in the Old World to its southern breeding limits, 

 as well as to Madeira and Egypt in Africa and the Persian Gulf, India, Burma, 

 and China in Asia, while in America it ranges south to Mexico, the West Indies, 

 and Panama. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. A common resident species, which is even more abundant 

 as a winter visitor and a bird of passage from North Europe. The immigration 

 usually occurs between 12th September and 5th November, and the passage may 

 last till 28th November : the spring passage season is from 25th March to 14th 

 May (cf. Clarke, Studies in Bird-Migration, 1912, vol. i. p. 160). In Yorkshire 

 flocks of apparent immigrants have been noted as early as the third week of August, 

 although the majority do not arrive till October or November : after arrival the 

 birds become distributed. Of the same region it is said that " if the weather is 

 fine when migration is progressing, the route taken lies a considerable distance 

 out at sea, but in storms with onshore gales the flocks are compelled to hug the 

 coast, and so are brought under observation " (cf. Nelson, B. of Yorks., 1907, p. 

 436). And it has also been remarked that great numbers are driven into the 

 creeks and flats of the Thames and Medway estuaries by easterly and north-easterly 

 gales (cf. Ticehurst, B. of Kent, 1909, p. 346). In Ireland there is a great augmen- 

 tation in numbers during December and January, and the new arrivals are said to be 

 distinguishable " by being slighter in body, tired after migration, and more easily 

 decoyed " (cf. Ussher and Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 191). Gregarious, often 

 seen in huge flocks : sometimes strikes against the lighthouse lanterns. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Most nests are placed on the ground not far from 

 water, and are generally somewhat hidden by the surrounding vegetation, but it 

 has been known to breed at a considerable distance from water. Not infrequently 

 it nests in pollarded willows or hollow trees : occasionally in ivy covered trees or 

 walls, and in bean or straw stacks, and heaps of faggots. Instances are also on 

 record of its breeding in old nests of both crow and rook, and on the Continent 

 the eggs have been taken in the nests of the goshawk, buzzard, and kestrel. Many 

 of these sites are at considerable heights above the ground. The materials used 

 for the nests are chiefly dry grass with some admixture of moss and dead leaves, 



