Birds on tJic IVcstcni /'rout. 
235 
eveninL;s, during July especially, and y\ugust. It is curious that 
a mii^ratory species like this should pitch upon such, one would 
imai^ine, imcon,y"enial quarters for its sumnicr home ! Especially 
as in this case fig"hting, and very severe fiyhtiny;' too, must have 
been takins^' place in this very localitv, at the very time of their 
arrival on mii^ration. 
1 think this about ends the list of birds observed by me in 
the actual rtrini^- line .though the list would be enormously 
increased were I to include the locality just behind the lines, yet 
well within shell fire radius. 
The strip of ground between the opposing" trenches was 
constantly drenched with poison gas of all descrii)tions, yet 
nartri'/'ges and quail were often to be heard calling- shortly after 
a gas attack (lacrimatory gas on this occasion) and seemingly 
escaped from the effects of the poisonotis fiunes, which coiitam- 
inate not only the ground but all the water supply in the 
rri'^hb "-urhood for a very considerable time afterwards. • 
On one occasion I noted a martin flying' about over the 
stretch cf trenches in which T was. for quite ten minutes, during 
a gas at ack (lacrimatory gas on this occasion) and seemingly 
'"lone th^ worse for its experiences. This attack took place iusf: 
as it was becoming dusk, and the bird only disappeared with the 
growin g darkness. 
.Small mammals such as rats, polecats, and weasels 
.similarly do not appear to be subject to the baleful effects of 
gas to any large degree, judging from the numbers of these 
creatures w'hich always infest the trenches. 
[ft would be of interest if Mr. Rattigan would extend 
these notes to include the species of birds noted in the shell zone 
j:ist behind the lines. — Ed.] 
