Migration of the Wagtail

Abstract

The Singular Methods of Travel the Wagtail adopts to Cross the Mediterranean Sea.—In the autumn of 1878 I spent several weeks on the Island of Crete. On several occasions the papas—village priest—a friendly Greek with whom I spent the greater part of my time—frequently directed my attention to the twittering and singing of small birds which he distinctly heard when a flock of sand-cranes passed by on their southward journey. I told my friend that I could not see any small birds, and suggested that the noise came from the wings of the large ones. This he denied, saying, “No, no! I know it is the chirping of small birds. They are on the backs of the crane. I have seen them frequently fly up and alight again, and are always with them when they stop to rest and feed.” I was still sceptical, for with the aid of a field-glass I failed to discover the “small birds” spoken of. I inquired of several others, and found the existence of these little feathered companions to be a matter of general belief among both old and young. I suggested that possibly the small birds might go out from the shore a short distance and come in with the cranes. “No, no,” was the general answer, “they come over from Europe with them.” I certainly heard the chirping and twittering of birds upon several different occasions, both inland and out upon the sea. But in spite of the positive statements of the natives I could not believe their theory until convinced one day while fishing about fifteen miles from the shore, when a flock of cranes passed quite near the yacht. The fishermen, hearing the “small birds,” drew my attention to their chirping. Presently one cried out “There's one,” but I failed to catch sight of it. Where upon one of them discharged his flintlock. Three small birds rose up from the flock and soon disappeared among the cranes.