A.R. Horwood

“ Our islands are situated in the temperate regions, where birds that live in the warmer regions migrate to breed. We get, then, birds from the semi-tropical regions, and birds on their way to and from the far north from our own region. In a similar way we are situated only a few miles, in the south, from the Continent. This in itself explains why our own avifauna is largely supplemented in the summer by visitors from all parts. Indeed, when we come to think of it, we must wonder why many species abundant on the Continent are not met with at all in our own country. ”

“ And thus we find there is a fourth class, beside the resident, the summer, and winter migrants, namely, the accidental or occasional straggler to our islands. Owing to many causes—such as migration, gales, and probably, to a greater extent than is generally imagined, to the escape of rare captive birds—our list of accidental visitors is a long one.
To this last class might be added a fifth—the extinct class; but as only one species that has lived within the memory of man in England has so disappeared, we may, I think, omit this class ”

“ That the largest number of species includes the smallest birds, and that the largest birds are in the minority, is only natural, considering the small area and populous state of the country. Here it may be added that the largest British bird is the Mute Swan, measuring 5 ft.; and the smallest bird is the Golden-crested Wren, measuring 31⁄2 in. from tail to beak.
Of resident species, we can now boast 137 species. Several species—such as the Kite, Bittern, Bustard, Crane, and others—used to be resident, whereas they are now only accidental visitors. ”