276 • REPORT— 1902. 



section of the south coast of England, particularly between the Eddystone 

 and the Scilly Isles. 



Winter Movements and Emigration — On the advent of snow and cold 

 the Fieldfares quit the higher grounds which form their usual winter 

 quarters and seek the lowlands, the coast, ^ and the south. 



In seasons of exceptional cold and heavy snow vast numbers pass 

 southwards along our coastlines and overland en route for the southern 

 counties, while many cross the Channel for South-west Europe. Many, 

 too, are sometimes observed passing westwards along the south coast of 

 England and its vicinity, in company with Thrushes, Redwings, Black- 

 birds, Starlings, Larks, Linnets, Lapwings, ifec, in search of the milder 

 conditions usually to be found in Devon, Cornwall, and the Scilly Isles. 

 Emigrants from the mainland of Northei-n Britain then visit the Hebrides ; 

 and numbers enter Ireland from Scotland and North Wales ; but none of 

 the numerous Fieldfares which sweep along the south coast of England 

 appear to seek the sister isle from the south-east by a passage across St. 

 George's Channel, as do Song Thrushes, Starlings, Larks, and other refugee 

 British species. In Ireland during severe periods many leave their 

 ordinary winter haunts and pass southwards and westwards for the 

 milder areas to be found in the vicinity of the Atlantic. 



The time at which these winter movements take place varies according 

 to the nature of the season. In 1886 great cold set in as early as 

 November 22, and was the cause of much migration and an exodus from 

 our southern shores which continued until the 26th. The movements may be 

 local or general, and if a series of cold snaps occurs a corresponding series 

 of migrations results ; but should the storm be widespread general 

 emigrations follow. 



A small number of Fieldfares winter in Southern Scandinavia, and in 

 severe seasons some of these are probably driven southwards and west- 

 wards, and this no doubt accounts for the occasional appearance of small 

 numbers in December in Shetland and Orkney and at the Faroes 

 (Andersen). 



Spring Immigration from the South. — Towards the end of March, 

 the Fieldfares which have wintered in countiies soi^th of the British 

 Islands (including, no doubt, the winter emigrants driven from Britain) 

 make their appearance on our southern shores. These return passages 

 across the Channel are continued at intervals tlu'oughout April, and are 

 sometimes observed down to the early days of May. 



During these movements the birds are recorded as arriving at night 

 or in the earliest hours of the morning, and are usually accompanied by 

 Redwings, Thrushes, Blackbirds, Starlings, Wheatears, and other species. 



The immigrants which arrive in England during March do not appear 

 to move northwards at once, but sojourn with us for a little time before 

 departing for their summer quarters in Northern Europe. 



Spring Passage and Emigration. — The departure of the Fieldfares 

 which have wintered with us, and of the birds of passage on their way 

 northwards, does not commence until tlie early days of April, and ordi- 

 narily lasts until the first week in May, but in some seasons is prolonged 



' The appearance of this bird in numbers on the coast in the winter has led some 

 observers to suppose that a renewal of the immigratory movements from Northern 

 Europe has occurred, whereas it is directly associated with and is the result of the 

 weather conditions prevailing in our islands, which have driven the wintering Field- 

 faies from the inland districts. 



