DEPARTURE OF OUR SUMMER BIRDS 231 



Summer-time, and who never, or rarely, disap- 

 points us in the Spring by appearing in its 

 favourite watch-tower, has disappeared, and by 

 now will be well on its way to southern climes. 

 When did we last see the bird mounting in the 

 air; for how long have we missed him, and did we 

 see him go ? I venture to answer in the negative. 

 In the departure of our Summer bird friends 

 we have compensation, however, in our Autumn 

 visitors. It is an easy matter for those resident 

 upon our coasts possessing the seeing eye to 

 report without dijfhculty that the great inrush 

 of Autumn migrants has commenced. Various 

 Waders, Golden Plover, Crossbills, Snow Buntings, 

 Meadow Pipits, Woodcock, Snipe, and a host of 

 other feathered creatures commence their Autumn 

 migrations during mellow September, and even 

 those of us who are less fortunate, perhaps, and 

 live inland, may observe the appearance of new 

 bird friends along our favourite lanes, in the 

 woods, and among the fields, meadows, and 

 streams. 



