By a study of the area over which the Woodcock breeds, of the time they take in flight, and of a comparison of the dates of arrivals at Heligoland and East British Coasts with the above,--it seems pretty clear, I think, that the early flight, which extends along the whole Albanian coast is composed entirely of birds bred amongst the higher levels of their southern range, coming probably from the Carpathians and as far south as the Balkans, as well as from high localities even nearer to the Albanian coast and coverts. It seems to us also equally clear that the December flight, preferring the beam wind from the N.E., comes from the western parts of North Europe, having originally started from the breeding areas of the extreme north. On starting, we will say, from the N. of Scandinavia, or Scandinavia, and other parts of the breeding range, they arrive on our coasts about October { our first flight). This corresponds with the first flight on the Albanian coast a month later. Birds reaching us congregate upon our islands under the genial influence of the Gulf Stream, but may finally be drawn off by December, and constitute a portion at least of the great flight at Corfu, where one ship's sportsmen have been known to kill something like 300 cock in a day or two (I have not the figures, but they are accessible, if necessary).
Regarding the subject of the arrival of young' birds in advance of the adults in autumn, the Committee, we think, should look at the movements exhibited by, and distinctly observable in, certain species. Those, perhaps, most easily observed are the larger Natatores, such as Geese and Swans and Gannets, whose distinct movements can be watched year after year, and recorded with almost absolute certainty. We do not intend to dilate upon the importance of this method at present, but in the connection will merely quote a significant passage from Mr Robert Gray's "Birds of the West of Scotland,"[1] and to supplement it by saying that there can be no doubt as to the accuracy of the observations made, as they are well known to the inhabitants. Mr Gray says: "Previous to leaving, the Barnacle Geese assemble in immense flocks on the open sands, at low tide, in the Sounds of Benbecula and S. Uist; and as soon as one detachment is on the wing, it is seen to be guided by a leader, who points the way with strong flight northwards, maintaining a noisy bearing until he gets the flock into the right course. After an hour's interval, he is seen returning with noisy gabble alone, southwards to the main body, and taking off another detachment as before, until the whole are gone. A notice of this singular habit was first communicated to me by Mr Alex. Carmichael, and has since been corroborated by Mr Norman M'Donald, who informs me that the inhabitants of the Long Island have been long familiar with it."
