BIRD MIGRATION IN THE SPRING OF 1878. 24] 
wind and weather, for the rest of the season. February was a most 
unusually mild month, many days being equal in temperature to 
what we expect at the end of May. This spring-like weather had 
the effect of inducing an earlier migration of the more hardy 
species. The same phenomena were observable, although to a less 
extent, on our own shores, and I noticed that the immense flocks 
of Golden and Green Plover frequenting our Lincolnshire marshes 
broke up and took their departure some time in advance of the 
average period. 
Mr. Gatke’s notes commence with the end of January, and are 
continued as follows :— 
“January, night, from 27th to 28th. Turdus pilaris, countless 
flights. 
“29th, from 9 a.m. and earlier to 4 P.M. Colymbus septen- 
trionalis ; an uninterrupted stream of birds from N.N.E. to S.S.W. 
passing to the east of this island; constantly from eight to twelve 
in the field of the glass. 
“February 2nd, wind E. in the morning, N. and N. by IE. in the 
evening. Turdus merula, from twenty to forty, as I fancy from 
the north. 
“7th. Commencement of spring migration. Birds moving 
northward again; wind westerly. Motacilla sulphurea, first 
migration; Sturnus vulgaris, flights twenty to sixty; Corvus, 
coming, ten to twenty. Night, 7th to 8th. Alauda arvensis, a 
great many. 
“8th. Alauda arvensis, off island, passing fishing-boats all day 
E. by N. 
“9th, wind N.W. and N., fog; midday somewhat clear. Alauda 
arvensis seen passing overhead in great numbers, E. by N.; Turdus 
merula, some; Sturnus vulgaris, some. 
“10th, wind W. and mild. Alauda arvensis, during night and 
day ; Columba palumbus, one; Turdus musicus, a few. 
“13th, wind S. Columba palumbus, ten to twelve. 
“14th to 15th, S.W., night. Charadrius auratus and Tringa 
alpina. 
“1dth, W.S.W. Alauda arvensis, great numbers at sea, N.E.; 
Anthus pratensis. 
“16th to 17th, W., foggy. Alauda arvensis, a great many. 
21 
