MIGRATION ON THE COAST. 293 



panies, are hungrily feeding on the mud-flats ; 

 Goldcrests, perhaps, are swarming on the thorn- 

 bushes. Overhead, Sky Larks are arriving in 

 countless numbers from over the sea, often 

 breaking out into gladsome song as soon as 

 the welcome land is reached ; whilst Rooks, Ring 

 Doves, Jackdaws, and Finches of various species, 

 arrive from time to time. This state of things 

 continues through October, and well into Novem- 

 ber, the steady influx of birds from time to time 

 culminating in an overwhelming rush. It should 

 also be remarked that in some years birds are 

 more numerous than others, and the duration of the 

 migration of any particular species varies a good 

 deal, sometimes lasting but a few weeks, sometimes 

 as many months. The autumn migration of birds 

 lasts for about five months, beginning in July, and 

 continuing to November. Of the two seasons of 

 passage, perhaps the autumn movement will prove 

 the most interesting to the ordinary observer of 

 bird-life on the coast. Birds are much more 

 numerous in autumn, and travel slower. The 

 movements of birds during winter along the 

 coast, are also intensely interesting, but this 

 scarcely comes within the scope of the present 

 chapter. 



We cannot well conclude this brief account of 

 Bird Migration on the coast without some allusion 

 to those perils which beset the birds on their 

 journeys, and which arise principally from light- 



