H THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 



finches, so that at each step, in whatever direction, one rouses 

 clouds of them. Golden-crested Wrens, too, frequently simply 

 flood the island in countless numbers. Chiffchaffs, Redbreasts, 

 Whitethroats, Hedge Sparrows, Rock Pipits, Shorelarks, Bram- 

 blings, Twites, and Titmice make their appearance in greater or 

 smaller flights, according to the state of the weather. This is more 

 especially the month for the migration of the old birds of the 

 Common Snipe, the small Jack Snipe, and especially the Wood- 

 cock ; the same applies also to the Blackbird and Redwing ; while 

 the Song Thrush and Ring Ousel early begin to decrease in 

 number, Fieldfares on the other hand appearing periodically in 

 large quantities. The old birds of the Common Wheatear also 

 migrate, more especially at this time, but only in inconsiderable 

 numbers. 



Those rarer occurrences from the far East, in which Heligo- 

 land is so rich, Thrushes, Warblers, and Buntings, are also met 

 with in greater number in the course of this month; the same 

 applies to the Greater Shrike (Lanius major), the Redbreasted 

 Flycatcher, and Richard's Pipit, though the migration of the 

 latter species is stated to commence as early as September, 

 and to continue through the whole of that month. An indis- 

 pensable factor for the appearance of all such strangers in any 

 considerable numbers is the continuance of a light and warm 

 south-east wind. Any considerable increase in the strength of 

 this wind in the course of the month, or any veering round of it 

 to a more easterly quarter, is attended by the exceptional appear- 

 ance of the Common Jay, sometimes, as in 1882, in inconceivable 

 quantities. 



Of the Peregrines, Merlins, and Common Kestrels, only old 

 birds in faded plumage are now met with, with which, however, a 

 young Gerfalcon (F. yyrfalco) may now and again be associated. 

 Old birds of the last named species have never yet been seen, or 

 at any rate killed, on the island, though three or four cases of the 

 more northern Greenland Falcon are recorded. Rough-legged 

 Buzzards make their appearance, while the owls begin to leave, 

 the Short-eared Owl as early as the beginning of the month, but 

 the Long-eared Owl not till near its end. Examples of Tengmalni's 

 Owl have likewise now and again been shot towards the end of 

 October, and in some cases even much later. 



We must not omit to mention those nocturnal migration flights 

 which, revealed by the light of the lighthouse, proceed on so 

 stupendous a scale as to form one of the most characteristic and 

 attractive phases of the whole phenomena of Migration as dis- 

 played on this island. They reach their grandest development 



