R O UTES OF MIGRA T/O.V 2 1 7 



further east and then migrate south-west, as the much 

 wider sea-passage is not only more fatal to the birds 

 that cross it, but is essayed by a vastly less number of 

 individuals. If these birds were equally common in the 

 south-west of England as in more northern and eastern 

 districts, we should find either a southern movement 

 after entering our area, or as strong a migration across 

 the wider portions of the English Channel as across the 

 narrower portions, slightly more north and much further 

 east — two assumptions which have no facts whatever to 

 support them. From the above facts we may safely 

 draw the inferences that not a single species exclusively 

 entering the British Islands cast say of Portland Bill 

 breeds south of Dartmoor ; that all species do not breed 

 anyzvhere south of their point of entrance ; and that all 

 species breeding in the extreme south-7cest of England 

 enter from continental land south of them, probably by 

 way of Cape la Hague or the Channel Islands. There 

 can be no doubt whatever that headlands are the great 

 points of arrival and departure ; they are the most 

 enduring portions of the coast-line ; the most important 

 land-marks, and easily recognized. From the various 

 southern promontories the great stream of spring migra- 

 tion spreads into our islands, fan- like northwards, east 

 and west. 



From the south of England we pass to a consideration 

 of the Routes to Ireland. This island is far more iso- 

 lated from continental land than England and Scotland, 

 and the fact is reflected in the migration of birds to its 

 area. The only possible points of egress for Summer 

 Migrants are in the south, and separated by wide water 

 areas from England. From a careful study of the British 



