168 



then follow the eoast-line to the south. Amongst the chief of these are the soft- 

 billed insect feeders, as, Saxicola aenantlie, RiiticUla phaenicurus, Pratincola ruhetra, and 

 a host of summer warblers of various species. Placed in order of rotation, according 

 to numerical superiority, the bulk of the immigrants from the east in the autumn, 

 are composed of Alauda arvensls, Sturnus vulgaris, Corvus comix, and G. frugilegus. 

 Turdus musicus, T. merula, T. pilaris, T. iliacus. Passer domesticus and, montanus, Linola 

 eannahina, Fringilla coelehs, Pledroplianes nivalis, and a great number of other species, 

 but in less quantities than these. 



G-eese, ducks, divers, and gulls, and seafowl generally migrate some distance out 

 at sea, and from north to south. 



Some of the chief points of arrival on the eastern shores of Great Britain, in 

 autumn, where the migratory hosts concentrate themselves into streams, are as 

 follow: — (i.) A very-well established bird route through the Pentland Firth, at the 

 extreme north of Scotland, (ii.) The entrance to the Firth of Forth, over the Island 

 of May. (iii.) The Farne Islands, on the coast of Northumberland, (iv.) The Mouth of 

 the Humber. (v.) Along the noth coast of Norfolk, from east to west, passing directly 

 inland by the estuary of the Wash, and the river systems of the Nene and Weiland, 

 into central England, thence to follow the line of the Avon, the north coast of the 

 Severn and Bristol Channel, and crossing the Irish Sea, enter Ireland near the Tuskar 

 Rock on the coast of Wexford. This is undoubtedly the great and main thoroughfare 

 for birds in transit across England to Ireland in the autumn, (vi.) Another well- 

 marked line on the English coast, is along the northern side of the Thames estuary. 

 These special fly-lines are, perhaps, suggestive of ancient river valleys existent at a 

 post-glacial period. 



Migration, as observed at Heligoland by Herr Gätke, points to the fact that, 

 the line followed by birds across and past that island is from F. to W., and, doubt- 

 less, in a consideralile number of cases, these continue to move westward and south- 

 westward till they strike the east coast of England; and we have numerous instances 

 on record of large arrivals of a certain sj)ecies about the same date, both at Heligo- 

 land, and on the east of England. There can be no doubt, however, that the vast 

 majority of birds passing that island do not cross to the English side of the North 

 Sea, but continue turning southward, to follow the European coast line. And this is 

 more evident from the fact that there are several more or less common migrants 

 at Heligoland, which only occur on the east of England as rare or occasional wan- 

 derers. Such are MofacUla alba, M. flava, Ci/aneada suecica, Emberisa horhdana, Plectro- 

 plianes lapponicus, Antlms cervinus and A. ricliardi, and in a less degree Muscicapa atri- 

 capiUa and Otocorys aJpesiris. These then probably pass southward along the European 

 coast-line, as do doubtless an immense majority of those countless Falconidae, 

 Cliri/somitris spinus, and other small migrants, which cross Heligoland during the 

 autumn migration. With regard to Otocorys alpestris, this species forty years ago was 

 of comparatively rare occurrence at Heligoland, it now occurs there annually in 

 immense numbers ; and in more recent years has occurred regultirly in small numbers 

 on the east coast of England, and in this last autumn (1890) most abundantly. 



Birds on migration seldom fly dead now itdward, except with light breezes; 

 strong head winds, or direct following winds are unfavourable for passage. The line 

 of flight most adopted is within three or four points of the wind. They will go 

 well on a beam wind, and even some points abaft of beam, if not too strong. Small 

 weak-winged birds have often, as noted on the lightvessels, great difficulty in making 

 head against strongly opposing winds. If the wind changes during the actual passage,, 

 birds have been seen to change the direction of their flight to suit the wind. Even 

 the strongwinged wild geese and swans are observed when well up in the wind to 



