THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS 



the last to leave in autumn. With many species the 

 young birds are the first to migrate, the old birds staying 

 behind until they have completed their moult, although 

 a few old birds are always in their company and serve 

 the purpose of guides. In autumn most birds travel 

 leisurely, staying here and there a day or so to rest them- 

 selves and eat where food may chance to be abundant ; 

 in spring they seem intent on getting to their summer haunts 

 as quickly as possible. Some birds always migrate by day ; 

 others just as surely wing their way under the cover of dark- 

 ness ; whilst many journey by day as well as by night. 

 During the hours of night vast numbers of birds are attracted 

 to the various lighthouses on the sea-coasts, especially in 

 cloudy weather, when they seem to lose their bearings and fly 

 towards the nearest visible object. No pen can do justice to 

 the wonderful sights which may often be witnessed at some 

 of these lighthouses, especially in autumn. The moon is 

 shining brightly in a cloudless sky ; not a bird is in sight ; 

 not a sound is heard. Suddenly a bank of clouds spreads over 

 the heavens, and soon afterwards just as suddenly a vast army 

 of migratory birds make their appearance. Birds of many 

 different species are flying in company. Skylarks have 

 fraternised with Owls, and Eedwings and Fieldfares are 

 mixed up with Goldcrests and big lumbering Herons. The 

 lantern is vignetted in a sea of fluttering birds ; some of them 

 crowd upon the railings and the balcony of the lighthouse ; 

 others beat and flutter against the glass. But as soon as the 

 sky is clear again and the moon sheds light upon the sea and 

 land, the little voyagers pass on, rising to the highest air, 

 where doubtless many old familiar landmarks point out the 

 southern course this feathered army is bent on taking. It is 

 a grand imposing sight to watch this autumn flight of bird- 

 life. I have often seen the air for days full of birds of many 

 species coming from over the sea ; and at night many a low 



