Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/414

390 for the last twenty years on various parts of our sea coast, but more particularly in Ireland, I have come to the conclusion that the migratory act in all birds is an acquired habit, originating in the search for food, which after a little time becomes fixed, and then inherited ; and is also changeable, as circumstances bring into play a little judgment or reason. It is remarkable that the Woodcock is the only bird known that carries its young in flight, which it frequently does when taking them to the feeding ground at the dusk of the evening, and again early in the morning back to their resting-place in some cover or in the open, as the state of the weather may be. When suddenly disturbed it may be seen mounting over small trees or flying near the ground, carrying a young bird between its legs to a place of safety. — (Myrtle Grove, Keswick).

[The Woodcock is not the only bird tbat carries its young. The same habit has been observed in the Common Snipe, as we have pointed out in our edition of White's 'Selborne' (p. 101, note); and Guillemots and other rock-building birds transport their young to the water by carrying them in the hollow of the back, between the uplifted wings. — ]

—It appears from a recent number of the American journal, 'Forest and Stream,' that a large number of European Quails have been turned out in the United States, particularly in the neighbourhood of Rutland, Vermont; and that, so far as has been ascertained, the experiment in acclimatising the species there has been successful. This year, it is said, 5000 were shipped to America, and that with the remainder of last year's importation and their progeny, a stock of at least 6000 birds was secured. Many of last year's birds paired and nested, and this year several nests with the full complement of eggs have been found. It is asserted, however, that many of those originally imported have strayed to a considerable distance from the place where they were turned down, and that nests have been found twelve or fifteen miles away. This is only what might be expected in the case of a migratory bird like the European Quail, and it is probable that, unless a fresh importation is made annually, and the stock of breeding birds thereby kept up, the whole colony would gradually disperse, and finally disappear from the spot where they were first introduced to American soil. —

—I noticed a curious thing the other evening (August 19th), about 7.30 p. II. My brother and I were botanizing round a reedy lake, when we became aware of the presence of a number of Grey Wagtails, Motacilla boarula, in a small patch of Arundo phragmitis, covering an area of about thirty yards by ten. They continued to arrive in parties of three, four, and five, until there were at least a hundred assembled. They made a low chirping and fluttering amongst the reeds, where they were evidently preparing to roost. It was