252 Mr. W. Eagle Clarke— J Month 



October 12tli. — During slight showers, between midnight 

 and 2.30 a.m., Pipits, Starlings, and Song-Thrushes were 

 flying in the rays. (Wind S.S.E., light breeze; dark; 

 clear.) 



Next followed the chief movement of the past autumn 

 witnessed at the Eddystone. This great passage commenced 

 at 7.15 on the night of the 12t]i of October, and continued 

 without a break until 5.45 on the morning of the 13th. 

 The weather was favoural)le for both emigration and obser- 

 vation. The wind was a gentle breeze from the north-east, 

 and the very slight haze which prevailed made it necessary 

 to burn full power in the lamps, whose rays were thus not 

 only doubly brilliant but assumed extraordinary luminosity, 

 and hence attractiveness, as they streamed out upon an 

 atmosphere eminently suited for rendering them conspicuous. 



The first birds to appear were a few Starlings, and from 

 7.30 they were present in numbers down to almost the very 

 close of the movement. These were followed, in the order 

 named, up to midnight, by Blackbirds (first). Skylarks, 

 Stonechats (first). Redwings, Fieldfares (first), Wheatears, 

 and Song-Thrushes. To this hour the birds had continued 

 to arrive and pass on in a steady stream, while many struck 

 the lantern. Soon after midnight a great increase in the 

 emigrants was observed, and the movement assumed the 

 character of a rush southwards. Song-Thrushes, Redwings, 

 Mistle-Thrushes, Blackbirds, Starlings, and Skylarks then 

 appeared in vast numbers, and were followed by Chaffinches, 

 Grey Wagtails (several), Goldcrests (first), Fieldfares (first), 

 White Wagtails (several). Meadow- Pipits, and. Curlews. 

 At 5 a.m. the movement received an impetus from a fresh 

 arrival of most of the species named ; among others, a Grass- 

 hopper Warbler struck the lantern and a small party of Wild 

 Geese passed close over the dome, calling loudly as they flew. 

 Most of the emigrants went steadily southwards, but many 

 tarried, and the majority of the species named were present in 

 some numbers until the first signs of dawn, when the move- 

 ment waned ; and at daybreak all, save a few Starlings resting 

 in a dazed condition in the recesses of the windows, had passed 



