ARRIVAL OF THE SPRING- MIGRANTS. 11 



yet they are all distinctly migratory, and it is doubtful 

 whether any of the particular individuals found in winter 

 on our fells, fields, or shores ever remain to breed here 

 during the following spring, or vice versa. 



The subject of migration, with the cognate subject of the 

 geographical distribution of species, has of recent years 

 received close attention from scientific ornithologists ; and 

 a flood of new light has been thrown upon the question by 

 their researches, and especially by the systematic obser- 

 vations recorded at the various light- stations around our 

 coasts and elsewhere.* But in a popular sense the subject 

 is but very superficially understood, and this must be my 

 excuse for endeavouring to lead my readers into a brief 

 consideration of what I trust they may find an interesting 

 study. 



Eecent investigations have clearly shown that migration 

 is vastly more extensive than was formerly supposed. The 

 further it is studied, the more general appears to be its scope, 

 and the more universal the instinct in birds to migrate. 

 Comparatively few species remain absolutely stationary 

 throughout the year. A reference to the migration reports 

 of the British Association shows that many of our common 

 small birds such quasi-domestic species as Thrushes, 

 Blackbirds, Starlings, Larks, Rooks, and others not usually- 

 regarded as migratory cross the seas at certain seasons in 

 astonishing numbers, perfect streams of bird-life. The 

 greater portion of these winged hosts is, no doubt, directed 

 upon Continental Europe, but a due proportion reaches our 

 shores, including members of almost every genus, and 

 indeed of almost every species. Very few species, as already 

 remarked, are entirely stationary ; though some have very 

 restricted ranges, while others (perhaps of closely-allied 

 genera) are cosmopolitan in their wanderings ; and of some 

 eminently migratory species there also exist locally-resident 

 races, which to that extent vary the general rules, and add 

 an element of pleasing complexity to the study. 



As I have pointed out, we have in our latitude a numerous 



* These "reports," nevertheless, appear quite as remarkable for 

 what they omit as for what they include. 



