191 2. WiTHKRBY. — The Autumn Migration of Swallows. 143 



THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF SWALLOWS 

 AT ROSSLARE HARBOUR. 



BY II. F. WITHERBY, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 



I should have written before with reference to Mr. A. D. 

 Delap's article under this title in the Irish Naturalist for 

 April (supra, pp. 65-71), but that I have been too busy to 

 put my notes together. 



I happened to be staying at Rosslare Strand, 2 or 3 miles 

 north of Mr. Delap's point of observation, from September 

 loth to October 13th, 191 1, and I was watching for migrants 

 every day. The ground I chiefly worked was between 

 Rosslare Strand and the end of Rosslare Point which 

 protects W^exford Harbour. (See Map facing p. 65 supra). 



Perhaps the easiest way for comparison with Mr. Delap's 

 observations will be to put mine in the same diary form. 



September 11. (cf. p. 69). Twenty Swallows and three 

 House-Martins flying quickly southwards along the dunes. 



September 12. None seen. 



September 13 (cf. p. 69). A good many Swallows (say 

 50) at intervals all going northwards along Rosslare Point. 



September 14. The same as yesterday, ^i' 

 t September 15-16. None seen. 



September 17. A few Swallows flying northwards along 

 Rosslare Point. 



September 18 (cf. p. 69). A very large migration of 

 Swallows (about 80 per cent, young birds) with a few House- 

 Martins and Sand-Martins. Up to 10 a.m. all I saw were 

 flying northwards up the coast, and were in a broad line 

 extending inland and over the sea. At 10 a.m. the north- 

 ward stream stopped and they passed in a constant stream 

 southwards until 3 p.m., when they ceased. There must 

 have been many thousands, but they were never in a compact 

 formation and they flew low. 



September 19 (cf. p. 70). A few Swallows going south. 



September 20 (cf. p. 70). A good many Swallows and a 

 few Sand-Martins coasting southwards in the morning 

 but none seen in the afternoon. 



September 21-23. None seen. 



September 24 (cf. p. 70). A good many Swallows and 

 some Sand-Martins coasting southwards. 



