420 
BIRD-LIFE. 
in the forests, and on the rivers and streams of Southern 
Asia. 
It is a matter of marvel that birds are so well able to 
find places where they can feed on the line of march. In 
the case of aquatic birds it is easier to understand, for 
large sheets of water are without difficulty distinguished 
from afar by the higher fliers; it is also comparatively 
easy for those birds which live in meadows, or among 
corn-fields and woods, to make their selection. How, 
however, the berry-eating birds discover every mountain 
ash, or the Eeed Warbler spies out the most hidden 
clump of reeds and flags, is not so easily to be understood. 
If we happen to be in a district abounding in springs and 
ponds we may feel sure of finding marsh- and water- 
birds there, the migrants are certain to have found them 
out. Thus it is explained why, in southern countries, 
one can always shoot water-fowl in good condition, 
although it sometimes happens that many fall victims to 
the over-crowding of certain localities, and hence to want 
of food. In the Red Sea I have seen Rooks and Buzzards 
starved to death; by the Lake of Mensaleh I have found 
the Tufted Duck, which has perished from exhaustion, 
brought on by want of food. As a rule, however, we may 
assume that shelter and nourishment in a foreign land is, 
as far as birds are concerned, of the very best. 
Had the feathered wanderers no other danger to 
encounter than the above, they might be considered 
fortunate indeed. Such, however, is not the case. While 
on the journey they are subject to dangers of all kinds. 
They have first to pass the Alps, after which the whole 
breadth of sunny Italy lays before them : her fair bosom 
is, however, rife with perils; death lurks in every bush ; 
all Italy is but a den of cut-throats;—whatever living 
