THE BIRDS' COMPASS 



a Bluebird. It is one of the few birds which 

 regularly travel from Europe to eastern North 

 America. The first Wheatears reach England 

 from the South about March i, but at that time 

 they certainly could not continue their journey 

 to Greenland and Labrador. Possibly, there- 

 fore, the early comers settle in England. If this 

 is true, it is probable that the later birds are the 

 ones which cross the Atlantic to nest in North 

 America. Perhaps the very birds which had 

 boarded our steamer were making this wonder- 

 ful journey. 



They seemed so small and weak when seen 

 flying above the ocean over which they had em- 

 barked so bravely, that one could not believe 

 their tiny wings were strong enough to battle 

 with its storms. Then as one thought of the 

 length of their journey over the trackless waters, 

 it seemed even more remarkable that they should 

 be able to steer a course which would bring them 

 safely to the land for which they had started. 



How do they do it? What is the secret of the 

 power which guides them on journeys where 

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