FIRST FLIGHTS 



the fact that the bird had been caught and the 

 vial attached on December 12, 1847, by the cap- 

 tain of a whaling vessel when it was about 800 

 miles off the coast of New Zealand. The Alba- 

 tross had therefore wandered about 3400 miles 

 in eight days. 



But if a bird is a migrant, its wanderings or 

 its daily trips to and from the roost will end 

 when the call comes for the great journey. Let 

 us now see when this call will come. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY 



Have you ever seen birds go to roost? What 

 kind of birds were they? Were they flying singly 

 or in flocks ? Where did they pass the night ? When 

 did they leave in the morning? 



If you have ever found a Robin's nest, describe 

 the situation in which it was built What did it 

 contain? Do you know whether it was a first or 

 second brood? Have you ever seen a summer 

 Robin roost? When do Robins begin to go to such 

 a roost? If you have ever seen a European Starling, 

 compare it with a Crackle. When was the Starling 

 brought to this country, and where were the first- 

 comers released? Is the Starling considered a de- 

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