86 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



follow each other in rapid succession towards the 

 east. 



It would appear that these birds the greater 

 part of which are the young of the year, at this 

 time but a few months old and unequal to pro- 

 tracted flights in thus steadfastly pursuing this 

 course, are impelled by a wonderful instinct to 

 seek the shores of the neighbouring county of 

 Kent, from whence the voyage to the continent 

 may be performed with ease and security. At 

 any rate, from this period, throughout the whole 

 county, the species continues to be comparatively 

 but sparingly distributed, until augmented by 

 fresh arrivals from the south during the warm 

 days of the ensuing spring. 



