266 THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 



Here, then, we have a bird which during its spring migration is 

 met with only in exceptional and always isolated instances in all 

 latitudes lying between its winter quarters in Africa and Heli- 

 goland'. In that island, on the other hand, it is at that par- 

 ticular time a common daily occurrence, and numbers under 

 favourable circumstances up to hundreds of individuals. It 

 necessarily follows that it accomplishes its journey in one con- 

 tinuous flight without staying to rest at any intermediate station 

 on its way. 



Like all the Sylviadse and other insectivorous birds, this species 

 travels at night, leaving Africa after sunset and arriving here even 

 before sunrise, and thus employing at most only nine hours in this 

 extensive flight. Now as the whole distance passed over in these 

 nine hours is about sixteen hundred geographical miles, we get the 

 truly astounding yet indisputable speed of one hundred and eighty 

 miles in one hour. 



During its return passage in autumn this Bluethroat is found 

 here very abundantly, as also through the whole of Germany. In 

 eastern Europe, too, e.g. Greece, where, according to von der Miihle, 

 it is not seen at all in spring, it is then a quite common occurrence. 

 At Heligoland, its autumn migration commences about the middle 

 of August, and lasts, according to the state of the weather, up to 

 the latter half of September. At that time hundreds of these birds, 

 in addition to Kedstarts, Whinchats, and other species, frequent the 

 potato-fields of the Upper Plateau. Strange to say, it then never 

 comes into the gardens which form its chief place of resort during 

 the spring migration. At the end of April and throughout May it 

 may be seen there hopping about among the currant and goose- 

 berry bushes, but seems to have a special preference for such places 

 as are densely covered with young cabbage shoots. It does not, 

 however, despise the dead shrubs of the throstle-bush or shady 

 nooks and corners under hedges, and even likes to stay at the base 

 of the rock among the rubble, and in dark clefts of the rock. 



This charming bird is an extremely confiding creature. If during 

 one's garden occupations one pays no special attention to the bird, 

 or pretends not to notice it, it will for hours long hop around near 

 one, at twenty, fifteen, or even a less number of paces off, sometimes 

 in rapid, sometimes in more measured, leaps, catching insects the 

 while; at each of its many pauses it gives a jerk with its tail, 

 which it has raised above its wings, and looks around with clear, 

 dark eyes. If, however, it becomes aware of being watched, it 

 vanishes swift as lightning, in long bounds, under some shrubs or 

 among some bushes ; only, however, after a few moments, to again 

 make its appearance as simple-hearted as before. Often would I 



