DIXON ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS 275 



migration of birds as seen from a lighthouse at 

 the periods during which they are on passage : 

 ' 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 migra- 

 tory birds make their appearance. Birds of many 

 different species are flying in company. Skylarks 

 have fraternized with owls, and redwings 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 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.' 

 This description is charming, as is the entire 

 work in question, and I cannot but recommend its 

 perusal to the reader, if he be a lover of birds, 

 for every page of it is full of interest. 



Many hundreds, and indeed thousands, of our 

 migratory birds annually lose their lives when on 

 passage. The wonder is that any survive when 

 the weather is stormy and the winds contrary. 

 It is not surprising, then, that woodcocks, when 



