

MIGRATION ON THE COAST. 283 



the present volume are migratory, although the 

 seasonal movements of many of the species cannot 

 be remarked, to any great extent, by the wanderer 

 along the coast. Such thoroughly aquatic species 

 as the Auks, the Petrels, the Divers, and the 

 Grebes, move south or north, according to season, 

 some distance from the land ; and it is often only by 

 the chance of rough weather driving these birds 

 near to the land, that we are enabled to learn that 

 their migrations are in progress, or that certain 

 species have once more returned to our area for 

 their winter or summer sojourn therein. The 

 Ducks, Geese, and Swans, are birds of migratory 

 habits, and in certain localities much of their 

 seasonal movements may be observed from the 

 shore. Then, again, the Gulls and Terns, although 

 often migrating some distance from the land, may 

 not unfrequently be seen passing up or down the 

 coast on passage. This is especially the case with 

 the Black-headed Gull, and the various species of 

 Terns. These latter birds are often seen, in spring 

 and autumn, in flocks of varying size, flying north 

 or south, close inshore, fishing as they go, some- 

 times remaining a day here or there, where food 

 chances to be plentiful. The migrations of certain 

 species of land birds that reside in littoral districts 

 are also pronounced and regular, and easily re- 

 marked along the coast ; the arrival and departure 

 of Martins and Swallows being a specially interest- 

 ing feature. But the most remarkable birds of all, 



