A MONTH ON THE EDDYSTONE 295 



watching the beams of light, what the atmospheric 

 conditions of the moment and the chances of observa- 

 tion were. The beams grew conspicuous when the sky 

 became overcast through the presence of moisture in the 

 atmosphere, and then the birds immediately approached 

 the beacon ; but as soon as this condition passed away, 

 the rays at once thinned down and became little more 

 than visible, the birds sheared off, and the movement in 

 progress ceased to be observed. During the duration 

 of the periods favourable for observation, between 7.35 

 P.M. and midnight, the following species were observed : — 

 Song-Thrushes, Mistle-Thrushes, Redwings, Skylarks, 

 Goldcrests, Starlings (first at 10.30), Blackbirds (i 1.30), 

 Wheatears (11.45), Grey Wagtails, and Stonechats 

 (midnight). At 9.40 a number of waders passed, but 

 their calls were in an unknown tongue. The period 

 between 11. 15 p.m. and midnight was the most pro- 

 ductive of results. At intervals between i a.m. and day- 

 break, Wagtails, Mistle-Thrushes, Goldcrests, Starlings, 

 Larks, Wheatears, Wrens (1.15 a.m.), Song-Thrushes, 

 Meadow- Pipits (2.30 a.m.). Redwings, Blackbirds, and 

 Storm-Petrels were observed — the chief periods being 

 from I a.m. to 1.45 a.m., and from 2.30 a.m. to 3 a.m. ; 

 but some of the species named were observed at 

 intervals until daylight appeared. There was practi- 

 cally no tarrying at the lantern, owing to the attractive 

 periods being of short duration, and the observations 

 afforded direct evidence that the movement was continu- 

 ous and that it was in progress for at least ten hours. 



The Song-Thrush and the Skylark appeared to be the 

 most abundant species, and the latter was occasionally 

 quite a nuisance at the lantern. The extreme scarcity 

 of the Starling was remarkable, but, on the other hand, 



