296 STUDIES IN lilRD-MIGRATION 



the abundance of the Mistle- Thrush was noticeable. 

 The emigrants were at times very numerous, and though 

 the atmospheric conditions were not greatly in favour of 

 many striking the lantern, yet those killed included 1 1 

 Song-Thrushes, 8 Larks, 3 Mistle-Thrushes, 4 Black- 

 birds, and examples of the Meadow- Pipit, Redwing, Gold- 

 crest, Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Wren, and Storm-Petrel. 



I will now treat of the migratory movements observed 

 during the daytime. 



It will be well to preface the observations by remark- 

 ing how very difficult I found it to detect small birds at 

 sea. This is chiefly to be accounted for by the fact that 

 the surface of the water, being ever in motion, forms a most 

 unsatisfactory background on which to "pick up" such 

 birds on the wing. Dark or sober-coloured species are 

 especially difficult to detect ; but the few that showed 

 any white in their plumage during flight came under 

 notice almost at once. 



The day migrations of land-birds observed, though 

 of considerable importance, were entirely confined to 

 passage movements across the Channel in a due southerly 

 direction. The species participating in these emigra- 

 tions were few, and consisted chiefly of Meadow-Pipits, 

 several kinds of Wagtails, and Swallows ; but the 

 number of individuals of the birds named was very 

 considerable. A few Willow- Warblers, Linnets, and 

 House-Martins were also observed, but their numbers 

 were so small, and the occasions on which they appeared 

 so rare, that they do not merit further consideration. 



Daily throughout my visit, when the weather was 

 favourable — that is to say, when a light wind prevailed, 

 no matter from what quarter — the passage of Meadow- 



