THE MIGRATIONS OF THE SKYLARK 225 



During the autumn, Skylarks gradually draw towards 

 the coast, on reaching which they pass southwards in 

 straggling parties. On some days a succession of bands 

 may be seen following each other throughout the whole 

 day, and in September and October, if the weather be 

 fine, with light winds, such congeries may be observed 

 for days together without a break. This coasting move- 

 ment is chiefly, if not entirely, performed by day ; but it 

 is otherwise when a considerable expanse of sea is to be 

 crossed, as from Shetland, the Hebrides, or Ireland, for 

 then the migration, as. a rule, is undertaken by night. 

 The journey is continued along both coasts of Great 

 Britain until the southern and particularly the south- 

 western counties are reached, many of the east-coast 

 migrants passing along the south coast westward. 

 Probably only a portion of the Skylarks, which move 

 during the early autumn, quit our shores, many, no 

 doubt, tarrying on the south or south-western coast. 

 Others, however, certainly depart for the Continent, 

 crossing the Channel at many points, chiefly at night, 

 in company with birds of many other species ; but I 

 myself, in passing between Newhaven and Dieppe in 

 September, have observed small parties of Skylarks in 

 mid-channel making for the French coast during the 

 daytime. And at the Eddystone I saw parties pro- 

 ceeding towards France soon after sunrise. At Fair 

 Isle, also in September, I have known them to depart 

 in flocks during the early hours of daylight, flying 

 towards the northern islands of the Orkney group. 



Autumn Immigration from Central Europe. — This 

 movement is the most interesting and remarkable per- 

 formance of the Skylark, or perhaps of any British 

 species, as it affords a striking instance of the pheno- 

 I. p 



