REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 171 
The line of flight of the Anatide is generally from N. to S., 
as explained further on by Mr. Cordeaux. I may mention here 
that this holds generally also on the west coast of Scotland, but 
that the lines of flight of the Insessores are influenced by local 
causes, and configuration and trend of the west coast. Thus the 
direction, according to previous experience, is often from N.W. 
to S.E. When migrating over or near land the lines of flight 
follow the great valleys and then the coast-lines, often cutting off 
promontories, as at the Ross of Mull. These are probably birds 
having a starting-point more to the N.W.,—the Hebrides, Iceland, 
and North America,—and others which in their migrations from 
east to west overshoot the land and “hark back”; but we will 
speak more of this in our remarks under ‘‘ West Coast.” Land 
birds have passed at all hours of the day and night, flying 
generally low, and in almost all kinds of weather. The Anatide, 
as a rule, fly much higher, and consequently are only seen, or 
almost only, in clear weather. 
Almost all records of birds caught or killed, or striking at 
the lanterns, are noted on dark or cloudy nights, with fog, haze 
or rain, or snow and sleet. The isolated stations, such as the 
Bell Rock, are most deadly; many are stunned and killed, and 
blown into the sea, at such localities. Birds on such nights often 
remain around the lights all night or rest on the window-sills of 
the tower and the balconies, or endeavour to obtain entrance to 
the tower. Whenever dawn appears they resume their flight 
towards the nearest land. 
A great northward rush appears to have taken place at Bell 
Rock lighthouse between the 2nd and 11th of March, 1880, as 
noted in the duplicate schedule by Mr. James Jack, lately received 
by me. On the 2nd March great numbers of birds were seen 
fiying about the lantern, apparently of various species, of which 
Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Mavises were recognised; wind §., 
light breeze, heavy sleet; sexes unidentified; a great number 
continued to strike hard on lantern all night from 10 p.m., and . 
rebounding off, fell into the sea. On the 9th, great numbers, 
including Lapwings, Thrushes, Mavises, “ Snowflecks,” Rooks and 
“Sea-piets,” from 5 a.m. till good daylight, when all disappeared 
in the fog; observer could not say in which direction they flew; 
wind 8.K., light breeze, fog, and rain. This has been the largest 
migration seen this year; very large numbers of each species 
