248 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



(including the Swallows and the Shrikes) com- 

 plete their change of dress previous to setting out 

 on their northern journey. The sexes of many 

 species appear to separate for the purpose of 

 migration, though whether there is any difference 

 in the locality chosen for wintering, or in the 

 routes followed, yet remains to be determined. 



From these particulars of the various destina- 

 tions of our summer birds, it will be seen that the 

 vague expression " winters in Africa," so often 

 and generally applied to these little creatures, by 

 no means represents the philosophy of their 

 annual movements, and that a study of the winter 

 distribution of our feathered favourites is replete 

 with unusual interest, and forms by no means the 

 least charming portion of their economy. 



