250 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



British area), become merged with the migrations of 

 birds departing from our islands for Northern Europe, 

 and with the passage of birds along our coasts proceed- 

 ing thither from winter quarters south of our area. 

 These movements are regularly observed, and are much 

 in evidence during April, after which stragglers are 

 observed throughout May and even during the first 

 week of June. " Rushes" are recorded, when Lapwings, 

 in company with Fieldfares, Redwings, Ring-Ouzels, 

 Blackbirds, Pipits, Redbreasts, Whinchats, Redstarts, 

 Pied Flycatchers, and Ortolan Buntings are observed 

 at the Shetlands en route for the north. 



These movements take place during the night, and 

 the resting migrants are observed during the daytime at 

 various points on the coast and the off-lying islands — the 

 Fames, the Isle of May, and the Pentland Skerries on 

 the east, and the Isle of Man, Dhu Heartach, Skerry- 

 vore, Sule Skerry, the Flannans, and occasionally even 

 the remote St Kilda on the west — and at the various 

 Isles of the Orkney and Shetland groups. Our depart- 

 ing winter guests, which form the bulk of these birds, 

 proceed overland in various directions to reach the 

 coast of the mainland, whence they proceed north- 

 wards ; many of those travelling along the east coast 

 cross the North Sea ere the Orkneys and Shetlands 

 are reached, though considerable numbers visit these 

 islands regularly on passage to their Scandinavian 

 summer quarters. 



The Lapwings which have wintered in Ireland begin 

 to move northward in mild seasons, about the middle 

 of February ; but the chief emigrations take place 

 during March, after which month they fall off, though 

 some have been observed in the end of April. The 



