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They muft firft either fuppofe that it reaches Ireland periodically 

 from America ; which is impoffible, not only becanfe the paffage 

 of the Atlantic includes fo many degrees of longitude, but becaufe 

 there is no fuch bird in that part of the globe. 



If the landrail therefore migrates from the continent of Europe 

 to Ireland, which it ranft otherwife do, the neceffiiry confequence 

 is, that many muft pafs over England in their way Weftward to* 

 Ireland ; and why do not more of thefe birds continue with us \ 

 hut, on the contrary, immediately proceed acrofs the St. George's 

 channel ? 



Whence mould it arife alfo, if they pafs over this ifland peri- 

 odically in the fpring and autumn, that they are never obferved 

 in fuch pafl'age, as I have already ftated their rate in flying to be 

 exceflively flow ? To which I may add, that I never faw them rife- 

 to the height of twenty yards from the ground, nor exceed the 

 pitch of a quail. 



I have now fubmitted the beft anfwers that have occurred, not 

 only to the general arguments for the migration of birds acrofs 

 oceans, but alfo to the particular facts, which are relied upon as 

 actual proofs of fuch a regular and periodical paffage. 



Though I may be poffibly miftaken in many of the conjectures I 

 have made, yet I think I cannot be confuted but by new facts, 

 and to fuch freih evidence, properly authenticated, I mail mo ft 

 readily give up every point, .which I have from prefent conviction, 

 been contending for. 



I may then perhaps alfo flatter myfelf, that the having expreffec? 

 my doubts with regard to the proofs hitherto relied upon, in fup~ 

 port of migration, may have contributed to fuch new and more 

 accurate oblervations-. 



It is to be wifhed, however, that thefe more convincing and' 

 decifive facts may be received ftom iflanders (the mere diffant 



from 



