ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 393 



to perform the functions of incubation and nu- 

 trition in full security. They and their 3^oung 

 quit their retreat in September, and disperse 

 themselves over Europe. With us they make 

 their appearance the beginning of October; cir- 

 culate first round our shores, and when com- 

 pelled by severe frost, betake themselves to our 

 lakes and rivers. Of the web-footed fowl there 

 are some of hardier constitutions than others; 

 these endure the ordinary winters of the more 

 northern countries, but w^hen the cold reigns 

 there with more than common rigor, repair for 

 shelter to these kingdoms: this regulates the - 

 appearance of some of the Diver kind, as also 

 of the wild Swans, the long-tailed Duck, and 

 the different sorts of Goosanders which then 

 visit our coasts. ,> : .. .- 



The Corvorant and Shag breed on most of Corvo- 

 our high rocks: the Gannet in some of the 

 Scotch isles, and on the coast of Kerry: the 



the Dutch discovered them on the rocks of that country and in 

 JVaygate Straits. They, as well as the other species of wild 

 Geese, go very far north to breed, as appears from the histories of 

 Gree7iland and Spitzhergen, by Egede and Crantz. These birds 

 seem to make Iceland a resting place, as Horrehow observes, 

 few continue there to breed, but only visit that island in the 

 spring, and after a short stay, retire still further north. 



The Sivallow tailed Shield Duck breeds in the Icy Sea, and is 

 forced southward only in the very hard winters. Amcen. Acad, 

 IV. 585. 



RANTS. 



