206 



THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS 



range did not extend to our islands, were very late in 

 arriving. It seems to be a curious fact that, as a general 

 rule — though subject, no doubt, to many exceptions— the 

 birds who have come from the longest distance arrive 

 the earliest. The facts; of niigration are, however, so 

 many, and the theories which they suggest are so various, 

 that we must bring this rambling, if not irrelevant 

 chapter to an end, and return to the narrative of our 

 doings in the valley of the Petchora. 



OLD RUSSIAN SILVER CROSS 



