BIRDS. 
*225 
phenomena, than that of the Rock dove in Devon,— 
it is migratory in the south-east of the county ac¬ 
cording to Turton and Kingston, and stationary in 
the south-west. The fact of the migrations of birds 
being so devious and uncertain explains at once 
why so much doubt appertains to the statements 
involved in the following “ methodus” or table, 
the use of which in regard of its arrangement is 
merely to meet the demands of tyros and superficial 
inquirers. The history of every species is ever open 
to exceptions and deviations, and it must be in¬ 
quired into in every portion of its range ere this 
can be said to be wrought out.—Historia locum, 
historia specieum est. 
In addition to the above instance of the Rock 
dove, there are certain others of the same class 
which it will be here desirable to present as especi¬ 
ally illustrative of the peculiarities detected during 
our inquiries into local natural phenomena. Thick- 
kneed bustards are occasionally found to stay the 
winter with us, though usually migrative, and it is 
even probable that certain individuals winter with 
us yearly, and are not detained merely from mild¬ 
ness of our brumal seasons , since I have known 
them procured during very inclement winters. 
Quails have occasionally also been shot in South 
Devon in winter, contrary to their usual habit of 
departing in October, and it is likely that this 
species also habitually remains with us in sparing 
numbers. A few Yellow wrens and Chiff chaffs 
seem yearly to winter with us, but from their quiet 
habits at that season and from the fact never having 
been suspected they are but rarely noticed. Whin- 
chats which are habitual migrators, undoubtedly 
stay with us during winter in rare cases. White 
possibly may have been correct in stating that 
Yellow wagtails occasionally staid the year with 
him, though the fact has never since been confirmed 
D D 
