observed at the Kentish Knock Lightship. 115 



grants from E. to W., there are (2) movements of a similar 

 nature from S.E. to N.W., and (3) of Birds of Passage along 

 both these lines of flight ; while (-t) Emigrants pass from 

 N. to S.S.W., and (5) from N.W. to S.E.; and, lastly, 

 (6) many Birds of Passage also proceed from N. to 

 S.S.W. There appeared to be no Continental migration 

 whatever from points north of ea>t. It will thus be realised 

 that much " cross migration" takes place, and this, too, 

 on the part of identical species, sometimes performed, 

 strange to say, on the same day and even at the same hour. 

 Another feature of importance is that at the Kentish Knock 

 and neighbouring lightships the day movements equal if 

 they do not surpass in magnitude those observed during 

 the night, whereas at other stations around our coasts 

 the nocturnal movements much exceed in extent those 

 occurring during the day. 



As at the Eddystone in 1901, I found it extremely difficult 

 to detect small birds during the day-time. The vast majority 

 — nearly all of them, in fact — fly close to the water, and the 

 waves, always in motion, form a most unsatisfactory back- 

 ground against which to pick up migrants, unless they are 

 passing in large flocks. The rougher the sea the more 

 difficult is the task of observation, and the higher the wind 

 the more closely do the birds hug the surface of the sea; 

 thus, except during a dead calm, many migrants escape 

 notice in spite of the utmost watchfulness ou the part of the 

 observer. 



In connection with the movements witnessed at such 

 isolated stations, it must be remembered that these obser- 

 vatories are mere specks in the open sea, and the marvel is 

 that one sees so much, especially during the day-time. At 

 night it is somewhat different, for then, under certain atmo- 

 spheric conditions, numbers of birds are attracted to the 

 lantern — many of them, no doubt, being allured from afar. 



In the preparation of these results I have grouped the 

 observations under the particular set of movements or 

 problems to which they relate, reserving certain information 

 to be dealt with under the various species. 



i 2 



