MIGRATION OF SMALL BIRDS. 75 



LETTER VII. 



"When Autumn scatters his departing gleams, 

 Warn'd of approaching Winter, * * * 



****** 



O'er the calm sky, in convolution swift, 

 The feathered eddy floats ; ' * * * 



* * into warmer climes convey'd 

 With other kindred birds of season, there 

 They twitter cheerful, till the vernal months 

 Invite them welcome back ; for, thronging, now 

 Innumerous wings are in commotion all." 



THOMSON'S SEASONS. 



Periodical transit of Flocks of small Birds through the 

 County Various Species The Goldfinch "Har- 

 bour-Birds" and " Flight-Birds " Anxiety of the 

 Bird-catcher Pied Wagtail Arrival on the Coast in 

 Spring Plumage Pilgrim Fathers Progress to 

 the Interior Return towards the Coast Deter- 

 mined Direction of Flight Geographical Considera- 

 tions. 



I HAVE for a long time been inclined to believe 

 that many British birds, usually supposed to be 

 permanent residents, as well as those generally 

 admitted to be summer or winter visitors, perform 



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