306 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



endeavour to balance themselves while hovering by means of 

 their outspread tails. During the late winter it has been quite 

 a common sight to see numbers of both Pied and Grey Wagtails 

 hawking for flies over the water in the manner described. 



Speaking of the Grey Wagtail reminds me of a fact I omitted 

 to mention with regard to migration here on the south coast. 

 Scarcely, I should say, in any other part of the British Islands 

 can it be said that two great migratory movements — viz. the 

 return southward of our summer visitors, and the arrival of 

 our winter migrants — overlap, as is the case in this locality. It 

 has been noted by local ornithologists that Geese and Ducks 

 from far Lapland and Siberia often arrive on their feeding- 

 grounds in Langstone, Emsworth, Chichester, and Pagham Har- 

 bours before the Swallows and other summer birds have de- 

 parted in the autumn. On the other hand, the same over- 

 lapping occurs again in spring. In 1904 and 1906, before the 

 winter migrants had returned northwards, they were overtaken, 

 so to speak, by the returning spring birds. In both years Sand- 

 Martins were observed as early as March 24th, the Chiffchaff was 

 seen and heard on March 17th, 1906, and the Wheatear was 

 reported on March 12th, 1906. 



It is very noticeable that these extremely early birds are seen 

 either on the banks or in the near vicinity of the same stream 

 where the Martins lingered so long this year. It seems almost 

 certain that the birds know this particular locality as a good 

 feeding-ground, and return to it year after year. In my opinion 

 it is neither accident nor mere coincidence which can in any way 

 account for the phenomena. 



If the Sand-Martin last seen on Jan. 23rd had managed to 

 survive until February it would have been possible to establish 

 the extraordinary record of the Swallow tribe for every month of 

 the year for this part of Hampshire. As it is, the record is good 

 for eleven months out of the twelve. 



In conclusion, I firmly believe that if our winters (in the 

 south) were only a few degrees milder, and the birds — not merely 

 the Swallow tribe, but others — could always be sure of obtaining 

 suitable and abundant food, they would remain to winter with 

 us, as these records tend to prove. 



