l6 The Irish Natiiralist. [Jan., 



to Ireland, on whose south-eastern vShores the birds are 

 recorded, almost simultaneously, as arriving from the south- 

 east. Some of these birds, Skylarks especiall}^ seem to go 

 northwards tOAvards the Outer Hebrides, being observed at 

 a number of stations on the route thither. 



The first autumnal movements begin towards the end of 

 July on the part of species which nest in the far north, such 

 as the Whimbrel, Knot, Green Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, 

 Turnstone, and Bar-tailed Godwit. Probably these July im* 

 migrants maj^ be non-breeding birds. The. immigration 

 during August includes twenty-six species whose summer 

 homes are beyond the British area, and the northern represen- 

 tatives of several British breeding species. September shows 

 a marked increase in immigration both as regards species and 

 individuals. Over forty vSpecies which do not spend the 

 summer in Britain are recorded as migrants this month. 



In October the flood of immigrants reaches its greatest 

 height, w^hen prodigious numbers of birds arrive ; but certain 

 species appear to have ceased to occur, having already passed. 

 After the middle of November immigration of birds which 

 spend the summer in the north ceases, with the exception of 

 marine species (Ducks, Gulls, Grebes, Swans) whose move- 

 ments depend on severe weather. A few other species are 

 recorded more numerously during November than earlier, 

 namely, the Lapland Bunting, Ring Dove, Little Auk, and 

 the winter Grebes. The immigrants arriving by the East and 

 West Route come from September to November, and again 

 during the winter when severe cold occurs. 



The emigration of our summer visitors begins towards the 

 end of July, when Cuckoos and Swifts commence to go. 

 About the same time small numbers of other species begin to 

 move. It should be borne in mind in connection with this July 

 movement that at this time many young birds, whose parents 

 are busy with second families, are outcasts, and wander about 

 until they reach the coasts, where they have been recorded. 

 Some of the Plovers and Sandpipers also appear at the coast 

 accompanied by their 3'oung at this time. During August 

 much emigration among our summer visitors occurs, thirty- 

 three species being recorded as departing. Thirty-four species 

 which are partially migratory are recorded as emigratory in 



