BIKDS Ol 



travel, and how far north they go ; but whether we will find out 

 what excites within birds the desire to migrate, and how they are 

 able to carry out these desires with such precision and regularity, 

 is very doubtful. 



Having thus reviewed the subject generally, if we turn our 

 attention homeward we find that in an ornithological point of view, 

 Hamilton is favorably situated, its surroundings being such as will 

 attract birds of all classes. In the country we find highly cultivated 

 fields alternating with clumps of mixed bush and rocky gullies, while 

 the bay, with its sandy shores and marshy inlets' provides ample 

 food and shelter for the waders and swimmers. Here, too, we are 

 favorably situated for observing the movements of the migratory 

 armies in the spring, and have done so with results similar to those 

 already described. 



Pressing on toward the north through Ohio early in May, the 

 birds meet the south shore of Lake Erie, and following its course 

 crowd in perfect swarms along the Niagara River until they strike the 

 shore of Lake Ontario at right angles. Here, most likely a separa- 

 tion takes place, some following the line of the lake shore eastward, 

 while the greater number most likely take the western route, and 

 are seen flitting from bush to bush along the beach, where for 

 a few days in May they almost rival the sand flies in number, and 

 that is saying a good deal. That some attempt to cross the lake is 

 evident from their frequently flying on board vessels which are pars- 

 ing up and down at that season, and the fact of these individuals 

 being generally much exhausted, would imply that many fall short 

 of the north shore and perish in the water. The spring of i882 is 

 memorable as one in which the birds on their northern journey 

 received a severe and sudden check On the 9th of May the season 

 was unusually favorable, and the migratory wave was rolling along 

 at its height, when a severe north-easter set in during the night 

 accompanied by cold drizzly, sleety rain. This forced the birds to 

 descend from upper air and seek shelter wherever it could be found. 

 In the morning my garden was full of warblers, all in their glowing 

 nuptial dress, but dull and draggled, not knowing where to turn. I 

 collected more rare specimens in my garden that morning than I 

 ever did anywhere else in the same time. This would seem to be 



