218 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



Spring Iminigration of Summer Visitors. — Among 

 the records relating to the movements of this species 

 ckiring February, there are many which clearly indicate 

 that the Thrushes which left us in the autumn to 

 winter in countries to the south of us are now commence- 

 ing their return to our islands for the spring and summer. 

 Thus on 19th February 1903, at the Eddystone, several 

 Song-Thrushes, with Mistle-Thrushes, many Starlings, 

 and other small birds appeared at 9.30 p.m. On the 

 following night, at the same station, Song-Thrushes 

 again appeared with Mistle-Thrushes, Starlings, and 

 Lapwings. These immigrations are performed by small 

 parties during mild periods of the month, and are 

 chiefly observed on the southern coasts of England 

 and Ireland. 



Such return movements are continued during the 

 first half of March, when arriving Thrushes, in com- 

 pany with Blackbirds, Larks, Meadow-Pipits, Starlings, 

 Lapwings, and Curlews, are recorded from the south 

 coast of England northwards to the western isles of 

 Scotland, and from the south and south-east coasts 

 of Ireland. 



The arrivals on the south coast of England take 

 place during the night or early morning. In Ireland 

 they are recorded both for the hours of darkness and 

 during the daytime, and the birds are noted as pro- 

 ceeding in a north-westerly direction at the south-east 

 stations, where the movements come chiefly under 

 notice. 



In most instances the return is a gradual one, per- 

 formed by small companies and at intervals, but 

 occasionally in March in "rushes" with the other 

 species already mentioned. 



