AMONG THE BIRDS IN SPRING. 31 



feet from where those of last were hatched. These 

 upland solitudes are full of charms for the natu- 

 ralist. They bring him face to face with Nature 

 in her unchanged aspects. Endless incidents as 

 strange as they are interesting, and countless 

 objects as novel as they are beautiful, are 

 constantly crowding themselves before his obser- 

 vation. 



During the latter days of spring bird life on 

 the coast undergoes many important changes. 

 As a rule, however, the land birds are the first to 

 feel the influence of the vernal season, water 

 birds being later in almost every respect. Spring 

 is nearly over ere the graceful Terns come back 

 to their breeding stations ; and very few shore 

 birds have eggs until the beginning of the warmer 

 months. Spring and summer time among the sea 

 birds is full of equal interest. A naturalist's first 

 visit to a colony of sea-fowl is a red letter day in 

 his experience ; and no matter how many times 

 his visits may be repeated, there always exists the 

 same charm and the deeply-absorbing interest of 

 his first impressions. The* writer has had the 

 good fortune to visit most of the celebrated bird 

 stations round the English and Scotch coasts, and 

 his experiences of the stirring, vivid scenes are 

 indelibly impressed on his memory. To see 

 these bird colonies at their best, a visit should be. 

 paid in the late spring and early summer months. 

 It matters little which locality is chosen ; all are 

 full of interest ; but certain birds in many cases 



