90 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



and sometimes Thrushes, by an east to west flight 

 across the Irish Sea. Anglesey and Rockabill (off the 

 north coast of co. Dublin) are the main points at which 

 these departures and arrivals have been recorded. 

 There are also migrations at the same season from the 

 Rhinns of Islay and Mull of Galloway to the north-east 

 coast of Ireland, on the part of Starlings, Skylarks, and 

 Thrushes. The object of these movements to the west 

 is, no doubt, to reach accustomed winter quarters in 

 Ireland. 



Autumn Arrival and Passage Movements. — The 

 winter visitors and autumn birds of passage often come 

 to us from the same areas at identical periods, and are 

 composed, with few exceptions, of the same species ; 

 in fact they are, in most cases, travelling companions 

 until the British Isles are reached. 



These numerous migrants reach our shores from 

 Northern Europe, Western Siberia, Iceland, Greenland, 

 and Central Europe, by the same routes as those 

 followed in the spring, but in the reverse direction ; the 

 southern portion of the east coast, south of the H umber, 

 being reached after the birds have arrived on the 

 northern section ; and the west coast and the Irish shores 

 by way of the Shetland, Orkney and Hebridean Islands. 



On their arrival on our coasts, those of the migrants 

 which are winter visitors move inland at many points to 

 spread themselves over our islands, many reaching the 

 west coast districts after overland passages across the 

 mainland of Britain, while those which are birds of 

 passage, proceeding to winter retreats beyond our 

 shores, traverse the east and west coasts, following the 

 same routes southwards as they traversed when on 

 their way northwards in spring. 



