A MONTH ON THE EDDYSTONE 281 



escapes notice at the points of embarkation on the 

 mainland. It does, however, come under observation 

 at a few advantageously placed light-stations situated 

 off the coast, where a mere fraction of the movements 

 which take place are witnessed, for it is only under 

 certain conditions of the weather that the migrrants 

 approach the beacon's light and reveal themselves to 

 the watcher, if one there be. 



I therefore determined, if possible, to spend a month 

 in such a station for the purpose of adding to my 

 personal experience in what has long been a favourite 

 study, and in the belief that a trained observer, prepared 

 to devote the whole of his time to the necessary vigils, 

 might, even in so short a period, during the height of 

 the migratory season, add considerably to our knowledge 

 of these important movements. 



It required but little consideration to decide that 

 autumn was obviously the best season, that the south 

 coast of England was the best section of our littoral on 

 which to witness the departure movements from Britain, 

 and that an ideal watch-tower would be one situated 

 well out in the waters of the English Channel, for there 

 the birds could be observed actually en route from our 

 islands to their southern winter quarters. The famous 

 Eddystone lighthouse offered all these advantages. 



On hearing from me of my project. Professor 

 Newton, with characteristic kindness, at once offered his 

 valuable assistance, with the result that, through his 

 instrumentality and that of Sir Michael Foster, my 

 application for permission to reside in the lighthouse 

 was forwarded to the Trinity House by, and with a 

 strong recommendation from, the Royal Society. The 

 request was most graciously granted by the Elder 



