Migration in the Northern Shires. 289 



however, the beginning of the end arrives. Thrush, 

 Blackbird, and Robin sing fitfully, as also do the 

 Blackcap and Whitethroat and many others. By 

 the end of the month much song has ceased, Tree 

 Pipits and Chaffinches especially becoming mute. 

 Some birds are still busy with their second or even 

 third broods, but the moulting season is coming on, 

 and that is ever a time of moping and of silence. 

 This month also marks the flocking of many birds, 

 notably the Ring- ouzel, the Rook, the Twite, the 

 Meadow Pipit, the Lapwing, and the Curlew. Tits 

 are also to be seen in family parties, as are also Jays, 

 Magpies, and Starlings. August is much of a repe- 

 tition of July among our common birds in inland 

 northern districts. Moulting is nearly universal; 

 there is almost a complete cessation of music, and 

 gregarious instincts are becoming stronger. Already 

 some of our summer birds are gone before the 

 middle of the month, especially the Cuckoo and the 

 Swift. Birds now congregate upon the hay- meadows, 

 and vast flocks of Sparrows and other Finches resort 

 to the ripening corn. Migration, of course, is more 

 apparent along the coast; but from time to time, 

 during the stillness of the night, a flock of Waders 

 or Ducks may be detected passing onwards to the 

 south. Towards the close of August the Robin, 

 having passed through his moult, in small numbers 

 regains his song; and the last few days almost 



( M 618 ) T 



