xxxvi INTRODUCTION. 



(3) The movements appear to be entirely confined to the 

 day-time — usually from daylight to i p.m., sometimes until 

 3 p.m., thus indicating, probably, the shortness of the passage; 



(4) The autumn migratory flocks are chiefly composed 

 of Larks in vast numbers, " Black Crows " (Rooks), Grey 

 Crows, Redbreasts, Goldcrests, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Tree 

 Sparrows, Starlings, and Woodcock ; and during the winter 

 Larks, various Thrushes, and Lapwings ; 



(5) And lastly, on certain occasions these immigrants, 

 while passing northward along the English eastern seaboard, 

 actually cross the movements of " coasting " emigrants 

 proceeding southward. At Redcar and the Teesmouth these 

 immigrants are frequently observed coming in direct from 

 the north or north-east (as well as from the east). The 

 arrivals from the north and north-east usually comprise Pipits, 

 Snow Buntings, Finches, and Starlings, and these occur gener- 

 ally in calm weather or during the prevalence of light northerly 

 or north-easterly breezes. In some seasons continuous flights 

 of various Thrushes are seen coming in direct from the sea. 



These conclusions have been chiefly based upon autumn 

 data, because the information for that season is more complete 

 and voluminous. When, however, we come to examine 

 the information relating to spring movements, with a view 

 to ascertain how far they corroborate the conclusions so 

 clearly indicated by the autumn chronicles, it is satisfactory 

 to find decided evidence that the birds retrace their flight 

 to the north and east along precisely the same lines as those 

 along which the autumnal south and west journeys were 

 performed. Thus in the spring these birds depart from the 

 same sections of our eastern seaboard as witnessed their 

 arrival in the autumn. 



Nearly every season possesses some remarkable feature 

 connected with migration : — thus, for instance, in October 

 1879, Pomatorhine Skuas were reported in enormous numbers ; 

 in 1887, Little Stints and Pygmy Curlews were unusually 

 abundant ; Grebes were the chief features in 1892 ; Scaup 

 Ducks and Little Auks in 1895 ; Rough-legged Buzzards in 

 1903, and so on. 



