21 



Scott, for on the night of October 19th, 1880, he saw through an 

 astronomical telescope at Princeton, New Jersey, great numbers of 

 birds passing across the face of the moon, mostly the smaller land 

 birds. Several were plainly recognised, such as Finches, Warblers, 

 Woodpeckers and Blackbirds, which were on their autumnal 

 migration. It was estimated these birds must have been travelling 

 at heights varying from one to two miles. Again, on April 16th, 

 1881, he made further observations at the same place, where he saw 

 swallows passing on their journey northward, which were flying 

 comparatively low. They were few in numbers : only thirteen 

 passed in 45 mmutes, whereas on the former occasion the birds 

 averaged 4-5 per minute. Mr. F. M. Chapman, in New Jersey, on 

 the evening of September 3rd, 1887, while watching for nearly 

 three hours, saw 262 birds cross the moon's face. Of these, 233 

 were computed to be flying at a height of from 1,500 to 15,000 feet, 

 but the lowest birds were flying upward as if they had risen from 

 the immediate neighbourhood, and were making for the right 

 elevation at which to continue their flight. Among the birds were 

 five Carolina Rails, of which three were computed at an elevation 

 between 1,900 and 10,200 feet, one between 2,000 and 11,000, and 

 one between 2,600 and 13,500 feet. 



Respecting the speed attained by birds during their migratory 

 flight there appears to be some doubt, but there is every reason to 

 believe that they then travel at their fastest, and the rate accom- 

 plished by a large number of species, especially the waders (Plovers, 

 Snipes, Sandpipers], is very great, and the ordinary speed of such 

 birds as Godwits, Golden Plovers, and other allied species, is 

 astonishing. For instance, a Whimbrel, which was timed while 

 leisurely flying along the seashore, travelled at 70 miles an hour. 

 The writer shot a Bar-tailed Godwit while it was flying at a 

 tremendous speed, which was carefully estimated (the conditions 

 being very suitable for the purpose), and found to be just 150 

 miles an hour. But the most amazing speed recorded is an obser- 

 vation made by Herr Gatke regarding Curlews, Godwits, and 

 Plovers, which he watched through glasses crossing from the main- 

 land of Heligoland to .an oyster-bed to the eastward, a distance of 

 22,000 ft., or rather more than four miles, which they accomplished 

 in one minute, or at the rate of 240 miles an hour. Knowing the 

 accuracy and care of such an experienced observer, we have no 

 reason to doubt his statement. On several occasions Teal have 

 been timed during flight, which has proved to be at the speed of 

 150 miles an hour, when simply flying from one island to another 

 just One mile apart. Therefore, taking all into account, there is 

 cause for belief that during migration many birds fly at an extra- 

 ordinary velocity. 



There are many routes taken by migratory birds, and many 

 places where observations have been made, but there is no place in 

 Europe where so much has been seen and recorded relating to 



