456 REPORT—1896. 
of Western Europe—‘ East and West Route. —This is one of the discoveries 
of theenquiry. It has been already shown that the more southern section 
of the East coast of England does not receive immigrants direct from 
Northern Europe. There is, however, a considerable amount of migration 
of a particular description, and on the part of certain species, observed 
at the lightships and lighthouses between the Kentish coast and the 
Wash. During the autumn, day after day, a stream of migrants, often 
of great volume, is observed off the coast, flowing chiefly from the south- 
east to the north-west at the more northerly stations, and from east to: 
west at the southerly ones, across the southernmost waters of the North 
Sea. This will be hereafter mentioned as the ‘ East and West Route.’ 
From the stations off the mouth of the Thames as a centre, the birds. 
either sweep up the east coast, sometimes to and beyond the Tees (many 
proceeding inland as they go), or pass to the west along the southern 
shores of England. These important immigrations set in during the latter 
days of September, reach their maximum in October, and continue at 
intervals until November. They are chronicled with wonderful precision 
and regularity in the returns from the stations on the south-east coast of 
England. They are renewed during winter on occasions of exceptionally 
severe cold, but the birds then pass to the westward along our southern 
shores. 
There are some remarkable features associated with these movements : 
(1) They are frequently observed for several or many consecutive days ; 
(2) they often occur when there is an almost entire absence of bird- 
migration on other parts of our shores ; (3) the movements appear to be 
entirely confined to the daytime, and are usually timed as from soon 
after daylight to 1 p.M., sometimes until 3 p.m.—this being probably due 
to, and indicative of, the shortness of the passage ; (4) the autumn migra- 
tory flocks are chiefly composed of Larks in vast numbers ; ‘ Black Crows’ 
(Rooks) very many ; Grey Crows, many ; also numerous Redbreasts, Gold- 
crests, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Tree-Sparrows, Swallows, Starlings, ancl 
occasionally Woodcocks ; and during the winter Larks, various Thrushes, 
and Lapwings ; (5) and lastly, on certain occasions these immigrants, 
while passing northward along the English eastern seaboard, actually cross 
the movements of ‘coasting ’ emigrants proceeding southwards.! 
Whether this east to west stream is a branch of one that passes down 
‘the coast of Continental Europe, or whether it has its source in Central 
Europe, is a matter of conjecture.” 
The conclusions relating to these continental migration-routes have 
been chiefly based upon the autumn data, because the information for 
that season is much more voluminous and complete. When, however,. 
we come to examine the information relating to the spring movements, 
with a view to ascertaining how far they corroborate the conclusions 
so clearly indicated by the autumn chronicles, it is satisfactory to find 
decided evidence that the birds retrace their flight to the north and east. 
along precisely the same lines as those along which the autumnal 
1 It is probable that such species as the Golden Oriole, Hoopoe, &c., which occur 
annuaily during spring and autumn migration in southern and south-eastern 
England, and the Black Redstart as a winter visitor, are birds that proceed along 
this route to and from our Islands. 
2 There are no essentially northern species recorded for this route, and the occur- 
rence of the Rook so frequently and in such numbers is suggestive of a Central 
(Western) European source. 
