42 
description, I have now thought it best to discard it altogether in favour of L. novm zealandice. 
Gray, 
I have already, in the Introduction to Vol. I. (p. xl), referred to the extraordinary migration which 
this bird performs every year, spending several months in Siberia, where it breeds, and another portion 
of the year in the Malay Archipelago, Polynesia, Australia, and New Zealand, passing the coasts of 
Japan, Mantchooria, and China in the course of its weary pilgrimage. 
Von Middendorff', who met with these birds in great numbers in Northern Siberia (74°-75° N. 
lat.), states that they appeared there on the 3rd June, and left again in the beginning of August. In 
the months of September and April Swinhoe observed migratory flocks on the coast of Formosa, and 
during the winter months he met with this species still further south. Von Middendorff found it 
also in summer on the south coast of the Sea of Ochotsk, although it did not appear to breed there. 
It has likewise been observed in China, Japan, Java, Celebes, Timor, Norfolk Island, Solomon Islands, 
and the New Hebrides, and its range doubtless extends much further ; but it has never yet been met 
with in India, this being probably too far west of its annual course. It is met with on Prybilov 
Islands, coming in a straggling manner early in May, passing northward with little delay, and reap- 
pearing again towards the end of August in flocks of a dozen or fifty *. 
The habits of this species are in no respect different from those of its European ally. As already 
stated, it is migratory ; and towards the end of March or beginning of April large flocks may be seen 
at the far north taking their departure from our country. The departure from any fixed locality 
usually begins on almost the exact date year after year; and for a week or ten days after the 
migration has commenced fresh parties are constantly on the wing, the flight generally taking place 
about sunset, and sometimes after dark. The main body fly in silence, but the straggling birds cry 
out at intervals, while endeavouring to overtake the flock in advance. Near the North Cape, Captain 
Mair has observed them flying northward in tens of thousands, and always in considerable flocks, 
numbering from 700 to 1200 birds in each, and the wonder is where they all come from. During 
the period mentioned, this excitement of departure is unabated — flocks forming and following each 
other in perpetual succession. 
The seasonal migrations of this species over a third of the globe’s circumference in search of a 
congenial climate, and then back again to its distant home for breeding purposes, are astonishing 
facts in natural history, and to those who have not studied the subject might well appear incredible. 
But it is this romance of real life that so often forces upon the naturalist the conclusion that “ fact is 
stranger far than fiction ” f . 
Though the greater number of the birds migrate, some remain with us during the winter, and 
it IS not unusual, even in mid-winter, to see a flock of several hundred consorting together on the 
sand-banks. It has been remarked that at this season they are much tamer and more approachable 
than at other times. A pair continued to frequent Sulphur Point at Ohinemutu for two or three 
years ; but they were ultimately shot at the request of the resident natives, who looked upon their 
constant appearance as an “ aitua,” or omen of some impending evil. 
On their return to this country they do not make a sudden appearance, but come in straggling 
parties during the month of October, and gradually become more plentiful after the first week iu 
November, and about Christmas they are in full force again all along our sea-shore. 
Some of the flocks on their arrival are very tame and approachable. Captain Fairchild found 
them particularly so at Kawhia, a somewhat unfrequented place on the east coast. He advanced to 
* Pauna Centralpolynesiens (1867), p. 181. 
t The late Mr. Henry Mair shot some of these birds on Suwaro, Manihiki, and Savage Islands. They seemed exhausted 
and unable to fly any distance. Those were probably birds that were unable to keep up with the migrating flocks and were 
consequently left on these islands en route. 
