298 STUDIES IN lUUD-MIGRATION 



considerable elevation, seldom below that of the gallery 

 (130 feet), and most frequently over 200 feet. Some- 

 times, however, they broke their journey, and alighted 

 on the reefs at low water. Wasftails were noted as 



o 



emigrating on thirteen days, and, judging from the 

 continuous nature of their passage on these occasions, 

 great numbers crossed the Channel towards the coast of 

 France. 



Swallows were observed passing southwards on seven 

 days ; possibly they did so on others, but they were 

 particularly difficult birds to "pick up," even when close 

 to the tower. On certain days (2nd and 15th October) 

 considerable numbers passed in small parties of a dozen 

 or so, consisting of both old and young. The move- 

 ments were all timed between 7 a.m. and 11.30 a.m., 

 and the first emigrant was noted on 24th September. 



Few waders came under notice, which is not surpris- 

 ing, for the pelagic nature of our surroundings offered 

 no attractions to such visitors. The most interesting 

 of the migrants among this group was the Red-necked 

 Phalarope, which appeared singly on two occasions, 

 namely, on 21st September and ist October, during 

 unsettled weather. The first of these visitors was a 

 bird of the year, and it remained for several hours in the 

 vicinity of the tower, often approaching quite close to 

 its base. The second was an adult in winter plumage, 

 and was also under notice for a considerable time, 

 frequently at close quarters. The ist of October was a 

 wild day, and the little bird was compelled to seek the 

 lee of the lighthouse to escape the frequent squalls of 

 wind and rain that swept past from the S.W. Both these 

 visitors were assiduously and unceasingly engaged in 

 the capture of some minute surface-swimming creatures. 



