174 Mr. J. Corcleaux on the Heligoland 



venieiit resting-place, a half-way house, between the Texel 

 and the Naze. The lofty cliffs are visible many miles at sea ; 

 and at night the fan-like rays of the lighthouse, situated on 

 the highest part of the island, two hundred feet or more 

 above the sea-level, blaze forth like the rays of a sun, visible 

 across miles of the stormy North Sea, attracting thousands of 

 birds moving far above in their dreary night-journey. On some 

 nights the air seemed alive with the fluttering of thousands of 

 wings and the innumerable cries of birds. At early morning, 

 after a stormy autumn night, flocks of winged travellers from 

 distant lands are collected on the barren rock ; for two thirds 

 of the island is a mere bleak headland, exposed to every wind, 

 and without the shelter of a tree or bush. Their number is 

 often almost incredible. 



On the evening of the 6th of November, 1868, at the He- 

 ligoland lighthouse, up to 9.30 p.m., when the moon rose and 

 the birds discontinued coming to the light, 3 400 Larks were 

 captured round the lantern, fluttering and beating against the 

 glass. Of these Mr. Gatke took 440 with his own hands. 

 The same evening, with nets, lights, and so forth, on the 

 flats surrounding the building, 11,600 others were taken, 

 making altogether a grand total of 15,000 Larks. Besides 

 these, many Snipes, Plovers, and other Waders were heard 

 calling. 



The line of flight of all birds in Heligoland is due E. and 

 W., as correct as if they were steering by compass. This, 

 Mr. Gatke says, is invariably the case, whether observed by 

 day, by eyesight, or at night, by the sound of their wiogs, in 

 spring or autumn. 



The young birds always come first in the migration of each 

 species, the old birds migrating later and bringing up the 

 rear. This holds good both in the spring and autumn. 



A curious fact connected with the ornithology of Heligo- 

 land is, that frequently birds, once regular visitants, disap- 

 pear almost completely, to turn up again ten or fifteen years 

 afterwards in greater abundance than ever. Others, again, 

 once rare, and only occasional visitants, are now abundant. 



Before proceeding with my list I must add that my thanks 



