276 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



Rooks have also been occasionally observed in 

 October at the islands (Rathlin and Maidens) off the 

 north-east coast, coming from the direction of the 

 mainland of Scotland, and sometimes "rushes" are 

 recorded there. 



Irish Spring Movements. — The chief feature in the 

 migrations of the rook as observed in Ireland is the 

 regular spring immigration observed (during the day- 

 time) on the south-east coast, between the latter half 

 of March and the third week of April — the move- 

 ments indicating that a corresponding autumn emigra- 

 tion most likely takes place, though it seems as yet 

 to have entirely escaped notice. It is impossible to 

 determine the precise nature of these movements. 

 They may be those of native birds returning to their 

 homes in Ireland, or of birds of passage traversing 

 the Irish coast on their way northwards. We have, 

 however, no further information concerning them, 

 and the question of their nature must remain an open 

 one. 



There are occasional records of spring departures. 

 These are witnessed at Copeland Island, Rathlin, 

 and the Maidens, off the north - east coast, where 

 occasionally Rooks have been observed moving 

 towards Scotland in April. These movements, from 

 the late date of their occurrence, would seem to 

 indicate that the migrants were birds on passage for 

 Northern Europe. 



Apparently Erratic Movements to the West. — In the 

 late autumn large numbers of Rooks have occasionally 

 been observed moving westwards beyond the British 

 Isles and out over the broad waters of the Atlantic, 

 wherein many perish, and whence others, having retraced 



