192 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



and those which visit Sule Skerry and Foula, that find 

 their way to the Faroes/ and finally reach Northern 

 Europe by this far-western route. A few are also 

 observed about the same time on the north-west coast 

 of Scotland, probably en route for the north. 



Autumn Emigration of British Summer Visitors. — 

 During the latter half of July, parties of Swallows are 

 recorded as visiting the island stations and lightships off 

 the east coast of Great Britain and the south-east of 

 Ireland. It may be doubted, however, if such appear- 

 ances are of much significance, though it may be other- 

 wise with some recorded during spells of cold weather. 

 But even if these were cases of real migration, it 

 may have been but partial, the birds merely seeking 

 better quarters within our area. On 19th July 1902, 

 however, a small party passed the Varne lightship, which 

 is stationed in the middle of the Channel and about 

 midway between Folkstone and Boulogne, at 11 a.m., 

 flying from north-west to south-east. 



It is not until the last week of August that Swallows 

 ordinarily begin to gather together prior to leaving 

 Scotland and the north of England. Then there is 

 a decided movement southward, and, along with Wheat- 

 ears, Redstarts, Sedge- Warblers, Willow- Warblers, and 

 Tree-Pipits, they are observed at various stations, both 

 on the coast and inland, and some even quit our islands. 

 There is no evidence, however, that these birds leave the 

 country in any but very small numbers, and most of them 

 probably tarry for some time in the south of England 

 before crossing the Channel. The Irish movements in 

 August are less pronounced, but the returns show a 



* Herr Knud Andersen informs me that the Swallow appears not 

 uncommonly, as a straggler, in the Faroes in May. 



