(CHAP. VIII. MIGRATION OF GEESE, CRANES, ETC. %6l 



(273.) Nearly all migrating birds assemble in flocks 

 for some time previous to their departure ; and this is 

 particularly observable, not only in swallows, but still 

 more in woodcocks, terns, puffins, and shearwaters. 

 Some, however, as the cuckoo, &c., neither congregate 

 before nor at the time of their journey; while others seem 

 to undertake it with a very few companions. 



(274.) Among the aquatic families of the northern 

 hemisphere, those which are birds of passage either 

 rear their young in the fens, and afterwards pursue a 

 northward flight, or they quit the northern regions on 

 the approach of winter, and proceed southwards, re- 

 turning to their former stations in the spring. The 

 latter are by far the most numerous ; and when the 

 well-known signs of nature prognosticate the coming 

 change, immense flocks forsake the solitudes of the 

 arctic regions, and wing their way to the more tem- 

 perate latitudes. Geese and cranes, with several other 

 birds, meet together before their departure, and then di- 

 vide themselves into two files, which are united at a point 

 " like a V reversed, a leader being at their head. The 

 bird which forms the point, cuts the air, and makes 

 way for those which follow ; 



73 ^fp2:\ c>lhi an d these are supposed to 



lay their bills on the tails 

 of those which go before. 

 The leading bird only un- 

 dertakes this arduous duty 

 for a time ; he then goes in 

 the rear, and is succeeded by 

 another." Storks (fig. 73.) 

 assemble in great numbers 

 at these times ; and might 

 be imagined, by a spectator, 



^ to be busily engaged in de- 



: bating upon their further 

 proceedings. Although exceedingly silent at all other 

 times, on these occasions they make an unceasing chat- 

 tering with their bills, and appear to be all bustle and 

 s 3 



