THE MIGRATIONS OF THE SKYLARK 235 



for it is reasonable to suppose that the first hour of 

 flight carries the birds beyond the limit of observation 

 at the light-stations off our eastern coast. Some return 

 emigration is nevertheless observed by day from the 

 lightships, the direction of the birds being eastward from 

 the mouth of the Thames, and south-eastward from the 

 more northerly stations. There are also enough observa- 

 tions to show that the movement begins in F'cbruary (in 

 the mild season of 1882 on the 6th, but usually not till 

 the middle of the month), and is continued until the end 

 of March, the 28th being the latest day recorded. As 

 with the reverse movement in autumn, this is chiefly 

 noticed from the lightships between the Thames and the 

 Humber. The other species of birds accompanying the 

 emigrant Skylarks are Starlings, Rooks, Grey Crows, 

 and Lapwings. 



Spring Migration from the British Isles to Northern 

 Europe. — In mild seasons, during the third week of 

 February there are indications at our north-eastern 

 stations that the Skylarks which have wintered with us 

 are beginning to depart for their northern homes 

 (including the Orkney and Shetland Islands), and 

 throughout March, especially after the middle of the 

 month, and during the first week of April, there is usually 

 much evidence to the same effect, the concomitant 

 species being Blackbirds, Goldcrests, Starlings, Wood- 

 cocks, and "Wild Geese." 



The spring emigration from Ireland deserves separate 

 consideration. Beginning about the middle of February, 

 it becomes more pronounced in March, and ceases with 

 the close of that month. The birds return by the routes 

 taken in autumn and winter, chief of which is that 

 between the south-eastern counties, with Wexford as a 



