2QO BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



The spring migration of birds over the British 

 Islands has scarcely ceased, before the first signs of 

 the autumn flight begin to be apparent along the 

 coast. Of course, this early autumn migration is 

 first noticeable upon our northern and eastern 

 coast-lines. Certainly, by the middle of July, a 

 few of the Arctic wading birds may be noticed 

 on the shore, or flying south along the coast. 

 Towards the end of the month, and early in 

 August, the number of these returning migrants 

 increases. Young Knots and Gray Plovers, with 

 odd adult birds, appear upon the sands and mud- 

 flats. Almost at the same time we may notice 

 the Common Sandpiper back again upon the 

 shore, followed by Lapwings, Ringed Plovers, 

 Greenshanks, and Curlews. Then various small 

 birds begin to drift along the coast, on their 

 passage south Swifts, Wheatears, Willow Wrens, 

 and Whinchats. Throughout August the migra- 

 tion of birds gets stronger and stronger, and 

 towards the end of the month, and early in 

 September, our own summer migrants begin to 

 leave the country. Warblers and Swallows, 

 Wheatears, Flycatchers, Thrushes, Wagtails, and 

 Pipits, may be met with from time to time, along 

 the coast, all bent upon early departure. The wide 

 reaches of mud and sand, often so dull and un- 

 interesting, and devoid of bird -life, in summer, 

 are rapidly filling with a new population, Plovers 

 and Sandpipers appearing upon them from day 



