THE MIGRATIONS OF THE SWALLOW 193 



decided increase of visitors to the coast stations, and in- 

 dicate the setting in of autumn emigration. 



In September the southern movement becomes 

 general throughout the whole country, and reaches its 

 maximum between the middle and end of the month. 

 During its early days there is the first evidence 

 of pronounced departure from our shores, and the 

 cross - Channel emigration then proceeds throughout 

 the autumn. At the Eddystone during the latter 

 half of September and first half of October 1901, I 

 observed considerable numbers passing southwards. 

 They were usually in parties of a dozen or more, which 

 comprised old and young birds. All the movements 

 were timed between 7 and 1 1.30 a.m. 



The beginning of October shows a decided falling 

 off in the numbers departing from the northern districts, 

 especially in the west ; but the southward movement is 

 well maintained during the first half of the month from 

 the east and south-west of England and the south-east 

 of Ireland. By the middle of the month the emigration 

 from Scotland and the north of England is over, and 

 Swallows observed after that time on the east coast 

 of Britain are migrants from Scandinavia, which 

 since September have been passing along that coast, 

 mingling with our own departing birds, so that in many 

 cases the two movements are indistinguishable. After 

 the middle of October a considerable diminution is 

 observable, except on the coast of the Channel, where 

 the efflux is maintained throughout the month. 



During the first half of November stragglers are still 



to be seen on the east coast of Great Britain and the 



south-east of Ireland, but there are very few records of 



observations in the west of Scotland, and not many 



I. N 



