The observations upon the Garden Warbler,
of which eight only are furnished, do not call for
any particular comment, save an expression of
surprise that a bird with so good a song should
not have attracted more attention. The 21st of
April is the earliest date recorded for its arrival,
at Burton-on-Trent. One would certainly have
expected also to find more notice taken of the
Reed Warbler, a noisy little bird, whose incessant
babbling by reedy ponds and at the riverside
makes it almost impossible to overlook it.
Nevertheless, but three notes were forwarded
of its occurrence in 1872—two in Norfolk, at
Lynn and Hempstead, and one in Wilts, at
Marlborough; at the last-named place on the
31st of May, at least six weeks after its usual
time for arriving. It is not easy to account for
its being so overlooked, for it cannot be regarded
as by any means a rare bird, although it may be
a local one.
Colonel Irby, who has had opportunities of
seeing many of our summer migratory birds on
passage, from two good posts of observation,
Gibraltar and Tangier, thus refers to the subject
in his recently-published volume on the “Ornithology
of the Straits of Gibraltar:”—
“Most of the land birds pass by day, usually
crossing the Straits in the morning. The
waders are, as a rule, not seen on passage; so
it may be concluded they pass by night, although
I have occasionally observed Peewits,
Golden Plover, Terns and Gulls, passing by
day.
“The autumnal or return migration is less
conspicuous than the vernal; and whether the
passage is performed by night, or whether the
birds return by some other route, or whether
they pass straight on, not lingering by the way
as in spring, is an open question; but during
the autumn months passed by me at Gibraltar,
I failed to notice the passage as in spring,
though more than once during the month of
August, which I spent at Gibraltar, myself and
others distinctly heard Bee-eaters passing south
at night, and so conclude other birds, may do
the same.
“The best site for watching the departure of
the vernal migration is at Tangier, where just
outside the town the well-known plain called
the Marshan, a high piece of ground that in
England would be called a common, seems to
be the starting-point of half the small birds
that visit Europe.
“Both the vernal and autumnal migrations are
generally executed during an easterly wind, or
Levanter. At one time I thought that this was
essential to the passage; but it appears not to
be the case, as whether it be an east or west
wind, if it be the time for migration, birds
will pass, though they linger longer on the
African coast before starting if the wind be
westerly; and all the very large flights of
Raptores (Kites, Neophrons, Honey-Buzzards,
&c.), which I have seen, passed with a Levanter.
After observing the passage for five springs, I
am unable to come to any decided opinion; the
truth being, that as an east wind is the prevalent
one, the idea has been started that migration
always takes place during that wind.
Nevertheless, it is an undoubted fact, that during
the autumnal or southern migration of the
Quail in September, they collect in vast
numbers on the European side, if there be a
west wind, and seem not to be able to pass
until it changes to the east; this is so much the
case that, if the wind keeps in that quarter
during the migration, none hardly are to be
seen.
“On some occasions the passage of the larger
birds of prey is a most wonderful sight; but of
all the remarkable flights of any single species,
that of the common Crane has been the most
noteworthy that has come under my own
observation.
“On the Andalusian side the number of birds
seen even by the ordinary traveller appears
strikingly large; this being, no doubt, in a great
measure caused by the quantity which are, for
ten months, at least, out of the year, more or
less on migration; that is to say, with the
exception of June and July, there is no month
in which the passage of birds is not noticeable,
June being the only one in which there may be
said to be absolutely no migration, as during
the month of July Cuckoos and some Bee-eaters
return to the south.”
As the Swallows are amongst the first to
arrive, so they are amongst the last to
depart. Long before chill winds and falling
leaves have ushered in the month of October,
the Warblers, Pipits, and Flycatchers have left
the woods and fields, and hurried down to the
coast on their southward route. But the
Swallows, loth to leave us, linger on far into
the autumn, and only bid us adieu when they
miss the genial influence of the sun’s rays, and
can no longer find a sufficient supply of food.
The sportsman who crosses the country with
dog and gun in October cannot fail to remark
the absence of the numerous small birds which
were so conspicuous throughout the summer.
The Wheatear has deserted the rabbit warren;
the Stonechat and Whinchat have left the furzy
common, to make way for the Linnet and the
Brambling. In the turnip fields, Thrushes
and Meadow Pipits have usurped the place
of Whitethroats and Yellow Wagtails; while
in the thick hedgerows and coverts noisy Tits
now occupy the boughs which were so lately
tenanted by the less attractive but more tuneful
Willow Wrens.
To the reflecting naturalist, this curious
change of bird life furnishes a subject for meditation
in many a day’s walk, and is a source of
much pleasant occupation. Whether we study
the birds themselves in their proper haunts,
ascertain the nature of their food and their
consequent value to man as a cultivator of the
soil; or inquire into the cause of their migration,
and their distribution in other parts of the
world, we have at all times an interesting theme
to dwell upon.
From a perusal of the foregoing chapters it
will be seen that “our summer migrants” may
be classified into certain well-defined groups,
according to their structure and habits, and the
haunts which they frequent. Upon the wild
open wastes and commons we find the Chats, to
which family belong the Whinchat, the Stonechat,
and the well-known Wheatear. In the
hedgerows and copses are to be seen the three
species of Willow Warblers—the Wood Wren,
Willow Wren, and Chiff-chaff. Wooded gardens
and fruit trees attract the Garden Warbler,
Blackcap, and Whitethroats; and the thick
sedge and waving flags by the waterside shelter
the various species of River Warblers. In the
open meadows and moist places by the river
bank of sea coast we need not search long
to find the Pipits and Wagtails; and while the
Flycatchers perch familiarly on our garden
walls, or pick the aphis off the fruit trees, the
Swallows build under our very eaves, and claim
our protection for their young. High above
all, the noisy Swift holds his rapid, wondrous
flight, wheeling and screaming to his heart’s
content.
At all these birds we have now taken a peep.
We have found them in their proper haunts,
examined their skill as architects, and their
powers as musicians. We have inquired into
the nature of their food, the number and colour
of their eggs, and their mode of rearing their
young; any peculiar adaptation of structure to
habits or curious mode of living has been duly
noted; and, not content with studying them at
home, we have followed these delicate visitors
to foreign climes, and found them in their
winter quarters.
It is hoped that the reader ere he closes this
volume will have gleaned some little information
that may be new to him concerning these
most interesting families of small birds, whose
fairy forms in summer time flit so continually
before us, and whose presence or absence makes
so great a difference to the naturalist in his enjoyment
of a country walk.
[1]“Nat. Hist. Ireland;” Birds, i. pp. 176, 177.
[2]“Hist. Brit. Birds,” ii. p. 292.
[3]As to other changes in the fauna and flora which have
taken place since Gilbert White’s day in the district of which
he wrote, the reader may be referred to the Preface to my
edition of the “Natural History of Selborne” recently published.
[4]Cf. More, “Ibis,” 1865, p. 22.
[5]Yarrell, “Hist. Brit. Birds,” 4th ed. vol. i. pp. 427, 442.
[6]Mr. Blake-Knox subsequently corrected his statement,
remarking that he had by mistake written
second instead of
third primary quill. The first primary is so rudimentary as
almost to escape observation.
[7]Dr. Bree states that he has occasionally observed the
Willow Wren taking currants from his trees.
[8]See Professor Newton’s edition of Yarrell’s “History of
British Birds,” vol. i. p. 360.
[9]See Professor Newton’s edition of Yarrell’s “History of
British Birds,” vol. i. p. 360.
[10]This specimen was recorded at the time by Dr. Carte in
the “Journal of the Royal Dublin Society,” vol. i. p. 440.
[11]Note to his edition of White’s “Selborne,” 1836, p. 141.
[12]See Ellis’s “Specimens of the Early English Poets,” vol.
ii. p. 356.
[13]Sir Thos. Browne’s Works, Wilkin’s ed. vol. ii. p. 537.
[14]Cf. “Handbook of British Birds,” p. 106.
[15]“Syst. Uebers. d. Vögel Nord-Ost Afrika’s,” p. 57.
[16]See “List of British Birds, as a Guide to the Ornithology
of Cornwall,” 2nd edition, 1869, p. 15.
[17]“The Birds of Shetland,” p. 73.
[19]“Ibis,” 1860, p. 231.
[20]Cf. “Ibis,” 1865, p. 25.
[21]This was in Haddingtonshire, by Mr. Hepburn. See
“Ibis,” 1865, p. 24.
[23]Cf. Newton, P. Z. S., 1866, p. 210.
[24]“Ibis,” 1867, p. 468.
[25]Cf. J. H. Gurney, jun., “Zoologist,” 1871, p. 2521.
[26]“Ibis,” 1860, p. 232.
[27]“Ibis,” 1867, p. 426.
[28]The specific name
arundinacea, which is commonly applied
to this species, belongs properly to the Great Reed
Warbler, the
Turdus arundinaceus of Linnæus.
[29]“The Birds of Middlesex,” p. 47.
[30]“Zoologist,” 1865, p. 9729.
[31]Not always, as shown above.
[32]Cf. Yarrell, “Hist. Brit. Birds,” vol. i. pp. 300, 301.
[33]Cf. “Ibis,” 1865, p. 24.
[34]“Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,” 1847, p. 135.
[35]Cf. Bellamy’s “Nat. Hist. South Devon,” p. 205.
[36]For this abstract of Mr. Knox’s observations, taken
from his “Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,” I am indebted
to Professor Newton, who has thus ably condensed them in
his new edition of Yarrell’s “History of British Birds.”
[37]For some further points of distinction the reader may
be referred to “The Birds of Middlesex,” pp. 64, 65.
[38]See Professor Newton’s remarks on “The Ornithology
of Iceland,” appended to Baring Gould’s “Iceland; its Scenes
and Sagas,” p. 409.
[40]“Ibis,” 1860, p. 229.
[41]“Ibis,” 1862, pp. 343, 348; and “Journ. f. Orn.,” 1862,
pp. 357, 360.
[42]Cf. “Naumannia,” 1858, p. 425, and “Ibis,” 1862,
p. 71.
[43]Cf. A. G. More, in the “Ibis,” 1865, p. 123.
[44]Cf. “Journ. für Orn.,” 1868, pp. 21-37.
[45]“Syst. Nat.,” i. p. 288.
[46]“Consp. Av.,” i. p. 247.
[47]Cf. “Naumannia,” 1858, p. 425.
[48]Capt. Beavan recorded it from Simla (“Ibis,” 1868, p.
79), but Mr. Hume showed this to be an error, the species
mistaken for it being
A. sordida (“Ibis,” 1869, p. 120).
[49]Cf. Dawson Rowley, “Ibis,” 1863, p. 37, and 1865, p.
113; Bond, “Zoologist,” 1870, pp. 1984 and 2383; and
Rodd, “Zoologist,” 1868, p. 1458.
[50]See Bree’s “Birds of Europe,” vol. ii. p. 155.
[51]“Syst. Uebers. d. Vögel N.-O. Afrika’s,” p. 61.
[52]“Birds of South Africa,” p. 148.
[53]“Notes on the Birds of Damara Land,” by the late C.
J. Andersson; arranged and edited by J. H. Gurney, 1872,
p. 129.
[54]See “The Field” for May 27th, June 8th, and June
24th, 1871.
[55]“Zoologist,” 1863, p. 8444.
[56]“Zoologist,” 1863, p. 8841.
[57]Rodd, “List of the Birds of Cornwall,” 2nd ed. p. 11.
[58]Cf. Hume, “Journ. Asiatic Soc. Bengal,” 1870, p. 116,
and Blanford, “Ibis,” 1870, p. 534.
[59]See his “Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar,” p. 224.
[60]“Mag. Nat. Hist.,” vol. iv. p. 413.
[61]“Nat. Hist. Ireland” (Birds), i. p. 377.
[62]“American Ornithology.”
[63]Professor Newton’s Appendix to Baring Gould’s “Iceland,”
p. 408.
[64]Gillet, “Ibis,” 1870, p. 306.
[65]Von Schrenck, “Reise in Amurland.”
[66]“A Spring and Summer in Lapland,” p. 281.
[67]Tudbury, “Mag. Nat. Hist.,” vol. v. p. 449.
[68]“Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia,” p. 347.
[69]“The Land of Israel,” p. 105.
[70]“History of British Birds,” vol. ii. p. 251 (3rd ed.)
[71]Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xxiv. p. 277.
[72]“Birds of North America,” p. 313.
[73]Jones’s “Naturalist in Bermudas,” p. 34.
[74]“Wanderings of a Naturalist in India,” p. 49.
[75]See “The Birds of Middlesex,” p. 126.
[76]Thompson, “Nat. Hist. Ireland” (Birds), i. p. 377.
[77]Irving, “Tales of the Alhambra.”
[78]“Mag. Nat. Hist.,” 1834, vol. vii. p. 462.
[79]“Contributions to Ornithology,” 1850, p. 109. It is not
included by Herr Müller in his “Bird Fauna of the Faroes.”
[80]“A Spring and Summer in Lapland,” p. 281.
[81]Ayres, “Ibis,” 1863, p. 321.
[82]E. C. Taylor, “Ibis,” 1867, p. 56.
[83]Lord Lilford, “Ibis,” 1860, p. 234.
[84]Tristram, “Ibis,” 1865, p. 77.
[85]In the Grey Phalarope we have a notable instance of a
contrary habit. This bird passes through England on its
way southward in autumn, but invariably selects some other
route on its return northward in spring.
[86]Blyth, “Ibis,” 1866, p. 339.
[87]Blyth, “Ibis,” 1865, p. 45.
[88]See Thompson’s “Nat. Hist. Ireland” (Birds), vol. i. p.
423.
[89]“Birds of Egypt,” p. 174.
[90]“Observations on the Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia,”
p. 336.
[91]“The Land of Israel,” p. 250.
[93]Mr. Robert Gray of Glasgow has seen it in grass fields,
cleverly picking ghost-moths (
Hepialus humuli) off the stems,
from the points of which these sluggish insects were temptingly
hanging. But as a rule, he adds, the Nightjar captures
its prey while in flight.
[94]See Atkinson’s “Compendium of Ornithology,” p. 108,
and Stanley’s “Familiar History of Birds,” p. 260.
[95]“The Birds of Sherwood Forest,” p. 172.
[96]“The Birds of the West of Scotland,” p. 212.
[97]The late Mr. Blyth thought that the Cuckoo found in
Java by Dr. Horsfield was not the Common Cuckoo of
Europe, but an allied race (
C. canoroides, Müller,
optatus,
Gould), whose range extends eastward at least to China, and
southward to Australia. If so, doubtless the same remark
applies to Japan.
Cf. “The Ibis,” 1865, p. 31.
[98]“Naumannia,” 1853, p. 307.
[99]On certain facts in the economy of the Cuckoo, “Ibis,”
1865, pp. 178-186.
[100]This species, however, is included in Dr. Thienemann’s list above given.
[101]“The Birds of Middlesex,” 1866, p. 120.
[102]See “Nature,” 18th Nov. and 23rd Dec., 1869, 6th Jan.,
7th July, and 18th Aug., 1870.
[103]“Ibis,” 1865, p. 183.
[104]“Hist. Brit. Birds,” vol. iii. p. 128.
[105]It would seem that this account was first published by
Mrs. Blackburn, in what she terms “a little versified tale of
mine,” entitled “The Pipits,” which appeared in Glasgow
in 1872.
[106]Cf. Garland, “Naturalist,” 1852, p. 82.
[107]“Gleanings in Natural History.”
[108]For a notice of this singular habit I am indebted to my
friend Mr. H. E. Dresser, who has translated Naumann’s
observations on the subject in his beautiful work on the
“Birds of Europe.”
[109]Cf. “Zoologist,” 1858, and “Proc. Zool. Soc.,” 1863,
p. 264.
[110]Mr. Benzon of Copenhagen informed my friend Mr.
Dresser that a short time ago the Hoopoe was by no means
rare in Norway, but now that the forests have been cleared
of all the old and hollow trees it has entirely vanished from
the fauna of his district.
[111]“The Birds of the West of Scotland,” p. 198.
[112]“Nat. Hist. Ireland” (Birds), vol. i. p. 353.
[113]On this point the late Mr. Blyth, writing in the Natural
History columns of “The Field,” 17th August, 1872, under
the signature “Z.,” remarked that Orioles are amongst the
few birds which breed before attaining the mature plumage,
and the females acquire this later than the males, being
always, however, of a greener shade. He had observed this
in
O. melanocephalus,
O. chinensis,
O. tenuirostris, and
O.
acrorhynchus, but thought that “the old females of
O. galbula,
and
O. kundoo, less frequently attain the male colouring
than those of the other species mentioned.”
[114]“The Birds of Damara Land,” p. 136.
[115]“The Birds of Norfolk,” vol. i. p. 360.
[116]“The Birds of the West of Scotland,” p. 223.
[117]“The Birds of Shetland,” p. 152.
[118]Baikie and Heddle, “Fauna Orcadensis,” p. 55, and
Gray,
op. cit. p. 223.
[119]“Birds of Egypt,” p. 214. See
ante, p. 281.
[120]Irby, “Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar,” p. 134.
[121]A Landrail caught on Canvey Island, at the mouth of
the Thames, lived in confinement on corn and water for a
week, when it made its escape.
[122]Jones’s “Naturalist in the Bermudas,” p. 45.
[123]“Storia Naturale degli Uccelli che nidificano in Lombardia,”
pt. xxxii. t. 91.
[124]“Bengal Sporting Magazine,” 1842, p. 870.
[125]Out of twenty-four correspondents, thirteen call this bird
the Landrail and eleven the Corncrake, and this in various
parts of the country, so that neither name can be regarded
by any means as local.