13 JUNE 1931, Page 14

The great migrations make one of the standard miracles of

the world ; but to the student of birds they are in some ways less puzzling than more local migrations. Quite a number of birds shift their residence after breeding, though they are not classed as migrants. I am inclined to think that this is the case with the crossbills (which, incidentally, have discovered the sanctuary of the new Zoo at Whipsnade and seem to consort quite well with wolves !). At any rate they have appeared this year in a number of places where it is not thought that they have previously bred. The best example, in my experience of these inland migrants, so to say, is the stonechat. The pairs nearly always appear on one favourite common in the Home Counties towards the end of the summer ; but seldom at breeding time ; and I know of no example of a nest.