ROUTES OF MIG RATION. 



97 



powers of wing possessed by Swallows and the great 

 altitude at which they fly, indicating the longest 

 possible inter-ocean migratory flights. 



From the above facts we may infer that sea 

 routes of migration are either short routes, or if 

 prolonged over waters of moderate extent, that 

 islands invariably assist the passage when taken 

 under normal circumstances. I also think, as 

 previously stated, that the altitude of migration 

 flight is much greater over a sea route than a land 

 route, for the obvious reason that landmarks are 

 less numerous and further apart. 



The second of these great Migration Highways 

 is that which follows the Coast-lines of the world. 

 The contour of the great continents is singularly 

 favourable to Migration Flight, not only in general 

 direction, but in its continuity. Coast-lines divide 

 themselves very naturally into six great groups. 

 Firstly, we have the East Atlantic coast-line, 

 stretching in almost unbroken continuity from the 

 North Cape in Scandinavia to the Cape of Good 

 Hope in South Africa, a distance which may be 

 roughly estimated at some 10,000 miles. Secondly, 

 we have the West Atlantic coast-line extending 

 from Grinnell Land and Greenland in one majestic 

 and unbroken course down to Cape Horn in 

 Patagonia, and covering, we will say, 14,000 miles. 

 Thirdly, we have the East Pacific coast-line reaching 

 from Point Barrow in Alaska continuously to Cape 

 Horn, and which may be roughly estimated at 

 12,000 miles. Fourthly, we have the West Pacific 



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