THE MIGRATIONS 01 THE I'lELDFARE 203 



In seasons of exceptional cold and heavy snow, vast 

 numbers pass southwards along our coast-lines and over- 

 land, en route for the southern counties, while many 

 cross the Channel for South-West PLurope. Many, too, 

 especially after or during snow, are observed passing 

 westwards along the south coast of England and its 

 vicinity, in company with Thrushes, Redwings, Black- 

 birds, Starlings, Larks, Linnets, Lapwings, etc., in 

 search of the milder conditions usually to be found in 

 Devon, Cornwall, and the Scilly Isles. Emigrants 

 from the mainland of northern Britain then visit the 

 Hebrides ; and numbers enter Ireland from Scotland 

 and north Wales ; but none of the numerous Fieldfares 

 which sweep along the south coast of England appear 

 to seek the Sister Isle from the south-east by a passage 

 across St George's Channel, as do Song-Thrushes, 

 Starlings, Larks, and other refugee British species. In 

 Ireland, during severe periods, many leave their ordinary 

 winter haunts and pass southwards and westwards for 

 the milder areas to be found in the vicinity of the 

 Atlantic or to quit the country. 



The time at which these winter movements take 

 place varies according to the nature of the season. In 

 1886 great cold set in as early as 22nd November, and 

 was the cause of much migration, and an exodus from 

 the southern shores of Britain, which continued until the 

 26th. The movements may be local or general, and if 

 a series of cold snaps occurs, a corresponding series of 

 spasmodic migrations results ; but should the storm be 

 widespread, general emigrations follow. 



A small number of Fieldfares winter in southern 

 Scandinavia, and in exceptionally severe seasons some 

 of these are driven southwards and westwards, and this, 



