REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 177 
Sxy Larx, Alauda arvensis.— None reported north of the 
Humber, and a negative return from Heligoland. South of the 
Humber, from every station making returns, and showing a 
gradual increase towards the more southern stations, where they 
crossed in immense numbers. Earliest date of passage, July 24th, 
at the Goodwin, 10 a.m., ninety to a hundred flying N.W. to the 
nearest land, and again at the same station on Aug. 4th. After 
this no further notice till Sept. 17th, when the regular and normal 
migration of this species appears to have set in and continued 
without intermission till Dec. 27th. Leaving out the two earliest 
dates as exceptional, we shall find that the immigration of the 
Larks to our east coast was continued over 102 days. During 
October, November and December (first fortnight) they crossed 
continually, passing from E. to W., also from points S. of EH. 
to others N. of W., over the narrowest part of the North Sea, 
as is shown in the returns of the most southern lightships— 
Galloper, Kentish Knock, Nore, North Foreland, Goodwin, Gull- 
stream, East Side, and South-sand Head; time, any hour of the 
day or night; direction of wind, variable. It would be quite 
impossible in a limited space to give anything like a detailed 
statement of the immigration of Larks, so a few extracts from my 
summary of the reports must suffice. There was a “great rush” 
of Larks and other species between Oct. 12th and 28rd. On the 
16th October more birds appear to have crossed than on any day 
during the autumn. There was again a “‘final rush” of the laggards 
just preceding and during the outbreak of severe weather early in 
December. At the Newarp, Sept. 29th to Oct. 27th, on fourteen 
days, going W., no particular hour, some striking lantern at night. 
At the Cockle, Sept. 28th to Oct. 17th, as a rule, very early in the 
morning (4.30 to 9.20 a.m.), on foggy, thick nights stopping to 
hover round lantern, some strike and are killed; Oct. 9th to 16th, 
“oreat rush.” At the Corton, Oct. 22nd and 23rd, flocks passing 
all day to N.W.; Nov. 11th, many hundreds during day; and again 
on Dee. 25th, all day from N.E. to 8.W., Ducks and Larks; 
Dec. 27th, hundreds of Larks during afternoon. At the Shipwash, 
from Oct. 9th to 16th; all day on 15th and 16th. At the Galloper,t 
from Oct. 8th to 24th, Larks, Starlings and Chaffinches, generally 
+ Birds passing this station were all passing to E. or E.S.E. or S.E. in October. 
On Nov. 24th great numbers of Larks and Starlings were observed passing to N.N.E. 
See general remarks at end of report.—J. C. 
2A 
