92 
MIGRATION AND FLIGHT. 
after their companions. A pair of Martins, which had 
deserted their family in the autumn, on returning in the 
spring, were observed to draw out the dead bodies of three 
nearly full-fledged nestlings. Another pair acted in a differ- 
ent manner ; after vainly endeavouring to drag out the bodies, 
which had most probably formed a dried mass with the wool 
and feathers in the interior, they entirely closed up the open- 
ing of the nest with clay, and leaving them thus entombed, 
proceeded to build another nursery. 
As much interest and amusement may he derived from 
watching and expecting the arrival and departure of our 
migratory birds, we annex a list of a few of the most com- 
mon, with the earliest and latest dates which have come 
under our observation. 
Date of 
Date of 
appearance. 
departure. 
Sand Martin 
...Hirundo riparia 
....March 27. 
Sept. 21. 
Chimney Swallow 
. . . Hirundo rustica 
....April 11. 
Oct. 20. 
Martin 
. . . Hirundo urbica 
Oct. 20. 
Swift 
....Hirundo apus 
....April 27. 
Sept. 15. 
Redstart 
. . . .Motacilla phoenicurus . . 
Sept. 5. 
Whitethroat 
. . . . Motacilla sylvia 
....April 6. 
Sept. 8. 
Cuckoo 
....Cuculus canorus 
June 30. 
Redwing 
April 3. 
Fieldfare 
May 1. 
Woodcock 
.... Scolopax rusticola . . . . , 
Oct. 15. 
April 2. 
Having thus noticed, as extensively as our limits would 
allow, some of the most prominent external as well as in- 
ternal peculiarities of birds, we shall now proceed to the con- 
sideration of the various species in detail, following pretty 
nearly the arrangement already given in the Tables of Classi- 
fication, and inserting additional observations and anecdotes 
to illustrate those subjects on which we have already touched. 
