AMONG THE BIRDS IN AUTUMN. 183 



they pass over high in air above us. Sometimes 

 the harsh notes of a Heron will be heard, or the 

 shrill call of a Curlew or Godwit ; and now and 

 then the loud trumpet-like scream of the Wild 

 Swan, rendered musical by distance, sounds 

 clearly from the sky. 



The migration of birds to and from this 

 country is of several kinds. Many birds come to 

 us in autumn, and remain throughout the winter, 

 such as Redwings, Fieldfares, Bramblings, Wood- 

 cocks, and Jack Snipes. Others merely pass 1^ s " '{J 8 

 along our coasts on their way still further south, October - 

 or cross the inland districts on their journey. The 

 pretty Dotterel, having safely reared its brood on ^"e^h 

 the very summits of our northern mountains, now Septei 

 speeds back to Africa. This bird especially 

 seems to travel slower in autumn than in spring ; 

 at the latter season it may even perform the 

 astounding feat of travelling from Africa to 

 England in a single night ! How utterly insig- 

 nificant do our lines of fast mail steamers, even 

 our flying railway trains, appear in comparison 

 with such speed as this ! The Dotterel is a most 

 tame and confiding little creature, and will allow 

 you to watch its movements without the least 

 show of shyness or fear. The Stone Curlew now g^ 

 quits the heaths and wolds where it rears its 

 young, slipping quietly and stealthily away on 

 some bright, moonlight night, when all is favour- 

 able for its southern flight. Another bird that 

 passes this country very regularly in autumn is 



