ON BIRD MIGRATION. 367 



include departures from the Hebrides and other western isles, as witnessed 

 by birds observed at or killed against the lanterns of Skerryvore and 

 Dhuheartach, but there is no appearance of any emigration from Ireland 

 in this month, which is a rather remai'kable and significant fact. 

 Throughout September the emigration is much more evident on both 

 eastern and western coasts, the Hebrides contributing largely to the 

 latter. In some seasons a marked migration is recorded from Shet- 

 land,' where the species is chiefly a summer visitant. In Ireland, too, 

 there is evidence from the south-eastern stations that the exodus has 

 begun. Towards the end of the month the movement is more marked, 

 especially in unsettled weather, when Skylarks are recorded as emigrating 

 by night in company with Thrushes, Blackbirds, Ring-ousels, Wheatears. 

 ChifFchaffs, Whitethroats, Wagtails, and other birds. As the season 

 advances emigration is naturally quickened until the early days of 

 November, when this movement ceases to be observed. In some years a 

 foretaste of winter, in others periods of exceptionally unsettled weather 

 cause pronounced ' rushes ' southward.- 



During the autumn Skylarks gradually draw towards the coast, on 

 reaching which they pass southwards in straggling parties. On some 

 days a succession of bands may be seen following each other throughout 

 the whole day, and in September and October, if the weather be fine with 

 light winds, such bands may be observed for days together without a 

 break. This coasting movement is chiefly, if not entirely, performed by 

 day ; but it is otherwise when a considerable expanse of sea is to be 

 crossed, as from Shetland, the Hebrides, or Ireland, and then their 

 migration as a rule is undertaken by night. The journey is continued 

 along both coasts of Great Britain until the southern and particularly 

 the south-western counties are reached, many of the east-coast migrants 

 passing along the south coast westward. Probably, only a portion of the 

 Skylarks, which move during the early autumn, quit our shores, many 

 no doubt tarrying on the south or south-western coast. Others, how- 

 ever, certainly depart for the Continent, crossing the Channel chiefly 

 at night together with birds of many other species ; but I myself in passing 

 between Newhaven and Dieppe in September have observed small parties 

 of Skylarks in mid-channel making for the French coast during the day- 

 time. 



2. A utumn Immigration from Central Europe.^ — This movement is the 

 most interesting and remai'kable performance of the Skylark, or perhaps 

 of any other British species, as it aff"ords a striking instance of the phe- 

 nomenon of birds proceeding westward, and possibly northward, from 

 their breeding grounds to reach their winter quarters, and this in vast 

 numbers for several successive weeks, with scarcely a break. In some 

 seasons this Immigration— which may be called especially the Skylarks' 

 route, since they not only greatly outnumber the birds of any other 



' The date of the first movement from Shetland varies according to the nature 

 of the season. In 1882 it was observed as earlj' as September 15, and in 188(5 ou 

 September 25. The autumn emigration thence does not usually begin until October. 



- There can be little doubt that during October and November the emigration of 

 our home-bred Skylarks merges to some extent with the Passage movement from 

 Northern to Southern Europe then in progress along our coasts. 



^ Evidence accumulated since the presentation of the 'Digest of Observations' 

 (Hep. Brit. Assoc, 1896, p. 456) confirms the reasons thirein stated for considernig 

 Western Central Europe one of the areas whence Skylarks and certain other birds 

 emigrate to the British Islands. 



