84 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



with dull and light periods. The best bird day for 

 autumn as yet. 



A number of Red-spotted Bluethroats (adults and 

 young). These birds were, with one exception, found 

 in potatoes or turnips. They ran with the rapidity of a 

 Partridge along the drills, sometimes for a hundred 

 yards, until they reached the end of the cover ; then with 

 a rapid flight they doubled back and repeated their tactics. 

 They are dark like a Hedge-Accentor on the wing, and 

 the bay-red tail with its broad dark terminal band is 

 not so conspicuous as one would suppose. One of the 

 birds was found by the side of a small stream, a haunt 

 much resorted to, where there was little or no cover ; 

 and it ran under a stone for concealment, which is also 

 a common habit. Three Ortolan Buntings were seen. 

 These birds affect the corn, and one was feeding on the 

 stooks. A Reed- Warbler was raised in the potatoes, 

 and sought shelter in standing oats, where it was shot to 

 establish its identity. Whinchat, yesterday's bird, seen. 

 Blackcaps, male and female, and Garden- Warbler in 

 potatoes. Willow- Warblers, Tree-Pipits, Snipe, and 

 Redstarts numerous. Chaffinch (first of season), Ring- 

 Ouzel (first). White Wagtails, a few (the first since the 

 1 2th); Red-breasted Mergansers, three on sea; Golden 

 Plovers, many. Grey Plover, one with Golden Plover ; 

 Kestrels, several seen. Common Sandpiper flying in rays 

 for some time at 6.30 p.m. Jack Snipe killed at lantern 

 during night. 



2/^th September. — South-east, light breeze ; dull, and 

 mild. 



Many birds have arrived since yesterday. Redstarts 

 particularly abundant. Pied Flycatcher killed at lantern 

 during the past night, and a number seen on cliff-face and 



