76 IN BIRD LAND. 



VI. 



WINGED VOYAGERS. 



THE subject of bird migration is one of absorb- 

 ing interest, presenting many a perplexing 

 problem to tiie student who cares to go into the 

 philosophy of things. Why do the birds make these 

 wonderful semi-annual pilgrimages, and whence came 

 the original impulse, are questions often asked. With 

 my limited opportunities for observation I cannot 

 hope to shed much, if any, new light on the sub- 

 ject ; yet it seems to me that some persons are dis- 

 posed to invest it with more of an air of mystery than 

 is really necessary. There are several patent, if not 

 wholly satisfactory, reasons that may be assigned 

 for the migrating impulse. 



As this is not a scientific treatise, the writer will 

 not be over-methodical in presenting these reasons, 

 but will mention them in the order in which they 

 occur to him. If we keep in mind the invariable 

 succession of the seasons, and that this annual rota- 

 tion has continued for ages, and if we also remem- 

 ber that all animals are dowered by their Creator 

 with as much intelligence as is necessary for their 

 well-being, much of the difficulty attaching to this 

 subject will at once disappear. Birds, like their . 



