304 Bird Migration in Solway. [Sess. 



Within the last half-dozen years quite a revolution has 

 taken place in the species of Geese frequenting the Solway 

 banks. Barnacles have been, and are yet, the characteristic 

 Solway species. Formerly the Bean Goose was the prevailing 

 " Grey Goose," but now the Grey Lag predominates, and 

 comes in very large numbers too. Brents, once very scarce, 

 are far more often seen. Whence come these striking changes 

 unless through some shift in the flow of the migration stream ? 



The return migration of the Whaups usually begins in 

 February, and the big general movement may be looked for 

 about the end of the first week in March. In the fine season of 

 1893 this general movement took place as early as 5th February. 

 Every year a very extended and simultaneous migration of 

 Whaups occurs about the time stated along the whole length 

 and breadth of Solway. I have notes of such a spring 

 movement over many years. On some quiet day towards 

 mid-afternoon one may notice, when such a migration is 

 setting in, little parties of Curlews, threes or fours or more in 

 number, flying in a direct N. or N.N.W. direction at a great 

 altitude, looking like little dots against the blue sky. Their 

 arrow-like formation in flight and the long-drawn shrill calls 

 floating down to the watcher will enable him to identify the 

 species. As night closes in, the little parties of birds will 

 become larger, more of these detached flocks will be seen, and 

 after darkness has fairly set in their calls may be heard 

 coming from all directions. And so with this vernal move- 

 ment the great business of the year is begun by this inter- 

 esting species. 



One of the most prominent of the spring migrants is the 

 Lesser Black-back Gull. By the end of November all have 

 gone elsewhere, and till near the end of February very few 

 ever put in an appearance. With the lengthening days and 

 stronger sunshine, small parties of these fine Gulls come 

 soaring overhead, generally moving directly northwards, 

 laughing and talking in that noisy and lively language of 

 theirs, flying in circles and playing the while, as they move 

 onwards, till the whole air resounds with their merriment. 



Amongst all our spring migrants, the Corncrake is the 

 species that keeps its appointment to return to the land of 

 its birth by a certain date with most constant regularity. 



