lO MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLl'n. 



From these facts it seems probable that the smaller birds usually select 

 clear nights* for their perilous journeys southward, and that they start soon 

 after dark. It is equally clear that the}' cannot foresee sudden changes of 

 weather, — at least local ones, such as occurred on several of the nights just 

 described. 



At Point Lepreaux several species which are usually regarded as noc- 

 turnal migrants, migrated also — at least to some extent — by da}'. I repeat- 

 edly saw Yellow-rumped and Yellow Red-poll Warblers arrive at and depart 

 from the extremity of the Point at various hours, but usually early in the 

 forenoon. On leaving, they would mount upward in a broad spiral, and 

 upon reaching an elevation of about five hundred feet would strike boldly 

 out over the sea, heading for Campobello dimly visible some twenty miles 

 away. Frequently a dozen or more would follow one another in quick suc- 

 cession, chirping loudly at frequent intervals until out of sight and hearing. 

 It is not probable, however, that such movements were anything more than 

 mere flittings from one headland to the next, but the fact that they inva- 

 riably took a generally westward direction (the course followed by most 

 autumnal migrants in this locality) shows that they were really short steps 

 in the long autumnal journey. 



I mention them in the present connection, however, chiefly because of 

 the light which they shed on the manner in which small birds start on their 

 travels, and the height at which they fly. If a bird finds it necessary or con- 

 venient to mount to a height of five hundred feet before undertaking a flight 

 of only twenty miles, it is probable that it rises much higher before attempt- 

 ing one of several hundred miles. Indeed the observations lately recorded by 

 Messrs. Scott and Allen would seem to show that even the smaller land birds 

 sometimes perform their nocturnal migrations at the surprising elevation of 

 from one to two miles. ^ 



*That is to say, they usually start when the weather is clear. The journey may be continued 

 after the sky has clouded over, as we know is often the case, 

 t Bull. N. O. C, Vol. VI. i8Si, pp. 96, 100, and 1S8. 



