Page:The Migration of Birds - Thomas A Coward - 1912.pdf/96

78 where for some weeks they fatten on the autumn harvest of fruits. A short journey across the Gulf of St Lawrence brings them to Nova Scotia, Where they gather before starting on their oversea flight. The eastward trip to the food-supplying districts is support of the idea, that a route is originated by passage from food-base to food-base, rather than by any hasty rush from the dangers of approaching Winter. The birds start south from Nova, Scotia for South America!

During this long oversea. journey, which Mr G. H. Mackay thinks, with reason, may be undertaken under favourable conditions at a speed of from 150 to 200 miles an hour by birds with such magnificent power of flight, the plovers may meet with many different Winds. The Cape Cod sportsmen look for them if the Wind is strong from the north-east; the Barbados gunners expect, them when there is equally weather from the south-east, but when westerly breezes are blowing they will pass so far as 400 miles east of the Bermudas. Only when the wind is adverse and strong do the plovers Visit the Bermudas or even stop at any of the northern Lesser Antilles, 600 miles from the coast of South America. In favourable weather they neglect any of these "emergency stop-overs" and hasten one In the Guianas the birds rest and feed) but they soon move on. Across the Brazils