92 MIGRATION AND FLIGHT. 



after their companions. A pair of Martins, which had 

 deserted their family in the autumn, on returning in the 

 spring, were observed to draw out the dead bodies of three 

 nearly full-fledged nestlings. Another pair acted in a differ- 

 ent manner ; after vainly endeavouring to drag out the bodies, 

 which had most probably formed a dried mass with the wool 

 and feathers in the interior, they entirely closed up the open- 

 ing of the nest with clay, and leaving them thus entombed, 

 proceeded to build another nursery. 



As much interest and amusement may be derived from 

 watching and expecting the arrival and departure of our 

 migratory birds, we annex a list of a few of the most com- 

 mon, with the earliest and latest dates which have come 

 under our observation. 



Date of Date of 



appearance, departure. 



Sand Martin '. Hirundo riparia March 27. Sept. 21. 



Chimney Swallow ...Hirundo rustica April 11. Oct. 20. 



Martin Hirundo urbica March 20. Oct. 20. 



Swift Hirundo apus April 27. Sept. 15. 



Redstart Motacilla phoenicurus April 6. Sept. 5. 



Whitethroat Motacilla sylvia April 6. Sept. 8. 



Cuckoo Cuculus canorus April 10. June 30. 



Redwing Turdus iliacus Sept. 26. April 3. 



Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Sept. 29. May 1. 



Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Oct. 15. April 2. 



Having thus noticed, as extensively as our limits would 

 allow, some of the most prominent external as well as in- 

 ternal peculiarities of birds, we shall now proceed to the con- 

 sideration of the various species in detail, following pretty 

 nearly the arrangement already given in the Tables of Classi- 

 fication, and inserting additional observations and anecdotes 

 to illustrate those subjects on which we have already touched. 



