280 REPORT— 1902. 



Autumn Irwinigration frovi the East. — During October and early 

 November ' there are records of parties of Lapwings being observed at 

 the lightships off the south-east coast of England between the mouth 

 of the Thames and the Wash and Humber, proceeding from the E. and 

 S.E. in a W. and N.W. direction, which leave little doubt that immi- 

 grants from the Continent arrive on our shores by a direct passage across 

 the southern waters of the North Sea. The arrivals take place during 

 the daytime and at night ; but there are no general movements recorded 

 at the light-stations, and the observations chronicled are few and 

 scattered during any season, though the numbers recorded are occasion- 

 ally considerable. 



Mr. Caton Haigh informs me that the normal course of the Lapwing 

 arriving on the N.E. coast of Lincolnshire is from S.E. to N.W., and 

 Mr. Gurney has occasionally observed them coming in on the Norfolk 

 coast from the E. and S.E. 



Autumn Passage of Immigrants. — Beyond passing partially down 

 coast lines, chiefly the east, and overland to reach their winter resorts in 

 Britain, it is uncertain whether the immigrant Lapwings perform other 

 passage movements on arriving on our shores in October. If such trail' 

 sient migrations southward to countries beyond the British seas do take 

 place immediately, or soon, after Britain is reached — as is undoubtedly 

 the case with other species — then they have hitherto escaped notice at 

 the southern stations. 



Autumn Emigration from, Britain. — Our native Lapwings and the 

 autumnal visitors from the Continent seem loth to quit our shores. I 

 have not been able to find any evidence of emigration beyond British 

 limits for the months of September and October, though the movements 

 southward during the latter month would lead one to expect that some 

 of the birds then depart from Britain. 



No Lapwings have been detected, according to our data, crossing the 

 Channel before November, when no doubt the approach of winter, espe- 

 cially low temperatures, constrains some of them to seek more genial climes. 

 During this montli they have been recorded as leaving our southern shores 

 in considerable numbers at night in company with Mistle Thrushes, 

 Song Thrushes, Fieldfares, Redwings, Blackbirds, Starlings, Larks, Golden 

 Plovers, and others. Some of these cross-Channel emigrations are asso- 

 ciated with general movements of Lapwings and other species down both 

 the east and west coasts of England. 



Winter Movem,ents and Emigration. — The winter movements of the 

 Lapwing consist of emigrations from Britain for more southern land.s, and 

 of partial or extensive migrations performed within our area. 



They are controlled by and vary with the climatic conditions of the 

 season, and their extent is proportional to its severity. 



Should the late autumn and the winter prove mild, the Lapwings 

 remain unmolested, so to speak, in their accustomed retreats. Sooner or 

 later, however, each winter cold weather of a more or less severe type, 

 and of either local or general prevalence, sets in, and then the birds, owing 

 to their inability to obtain food are compelled to change their quarters 

 for others free from its blighting influence : these havens may be near at 

 hand or far removed in accordance with the extent of the area adversely 



' In 1885 at tbe Hasbro Lightship, ofE the Norfolk coast, many were passing 

 W. and W.N.W. on the nights of November 22 and 23 perhaps a cold weather move- 

 ment from the Continent. 



