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The Scotch Ptarmigan frequents the fiigheff 

 ground of any Britifh bird,, and he takes but very 

 fhort flights*. 



But it is alfo urged by fome, that the reafon why 

 feamen do not regularly fee the migration of birds, is 

 becaufe they choofe the nighty, and not the day,, for. 

 the. palTage *. 



Now though it may be allowed, that poffibly birds, 

 may crofs from the coaft of Holland to the Eaftern 

 coaftof England (for example) during a long night, yet 

 it muflbe dark- nearly as long as it is. within. the Arctic 

 circle to afford time for a bird to pafs from the Line 

 to many parts of Europe, which Monf. de BufTon* 

 calculates, may be done in about eight or nine 

 days -J- . 



If the paffage happened in half the nights of the 

 year, which have the benefit of moonlight, the birds 

 would be discovered by the failors almoff. as well as 

 in the day time; to which I mud: add that feveral 

 fuppofed birds of paffage (the Fieldfare in particular);} 

 always call when on their flight, fo that the feamen 

 muff be deaf as well as blind, if fuch flocks of birds 

 efcape their notice... 



Other objections however remain to this, hypo* 

 thefis of a paffage during the night. 



* Mr. Catefby fuppofes that they may thus pafs in the night 

 time, to avoid birds of prey. Phil. Tranf. Abr..Vol,.II. p...88y - 

 But are not owls then ftirring ? 



On the other hand,, if they migrate in the day time, kites, 

 hawks, and other birds of preyymuft be very bad fportfmen not 

 to attend (like Arabs) thefe large and periodical caravans. 



f In the preface to the firft volume of his lately publifhecS' 

 Ornithology, p. 3$. 



Hinetj* 



